By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 October 2017 at 8:23 am
MEDINA – Firefighters from Medina delivered the third baby born this year in the back of an ambulance on Sunday morning.
Steve Miller and Daniel Scanlan delivered a baby boy at 5:38 in the morning. The ambulance was on the way to Unity hospital in Rochester. The baby’s grandmother cut the cord in the ambulance, Fire Chief Tom Lupo told the Village Board on Monday.
Each firefighter who helps deliver a baby receives a stork pin. Mike Young leads with three pins in recent years, Lupo said.
Since Medina Memorial Hospital closed its maternity wing in 2011, the fire department has been transporting women in labor to hospitals in Batavia, Lockport, Buffalo and Rochester.
The Medina Fire Department has responded to 2,301 total calls so far this year. Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said the babies are heart-warming, feel-good stories. Firefighters provide critical care in many other calls, often working with the police department, Sherman said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 October 2017 at 10:51 pm
Village Board wants trucks to use Bates and Salt Works roads
MEDINA – The Village Board approved a 5-ton weight limit on village streets, a move intended to direct tractor trailers to Salt Works Road on the western end of the village and Bates Road on the east side.
The village did have some streets with 8-ton limits, but now all village streets will have a 5-ton limit for vehicles.
The board made the change on Monday, following a public hearing that drew no dissenting voices.
“Hopefully this will eliminate some of the trucks coming through the village and ruining our streets and sidewalks,” said Mayor Michael Sidari.
The weight limit does not apply to emergency vehicles or for local deliveries, Sidari said.
The board has had heard complaints from residents in recent months, especially about trucks that use Park Avenue early in the morning through the evening.
The board wants trucks to stay off Park Avenue and instead take Maple Ridge Road to Salt Works Road. From there they have access to Associated Brands and companies in the Olde Pickle Factory.
Mayor Sidari said the village has notified companies that provide GPS directions about the weight limit change. The village also wants to put up signs along the state roads, directing trucks to either Salt Works or Bates roads. Sidari said Medina will need permits from the state Department of Transportation for those signs.
Tractor trailers in the village have run over some signs and damaged curbs while making turns.
The mayor said the new laws for truck traffic will also help the Police Department better monitor the truck traffic in the village and eliminate confusion about weight limits on village streets.
(Editor’s Note: This article was updated to say emergency vehicles and local deliveries are exempt from weight limit.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 October 2017 at 9:07 am
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch
MEDINA – This photo on Sunday shows trees that have been taken down on the canal embankment by the Marshall Road canal bridge in Ridgeway.
The Canal Corp. has begun taking down many trees on the embankment in Medina. The Canal Corp. hired Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica to remove vegetation on the Canal Corp. right of way.
The company started the tree clearing in Medina and will be headed east to Fairport, trying to clear about 140 acres before the end of the year.
Sections of the towpath are closed while contractors work to clear trees.
The Canal Corp. discussed the plan on Sept. 25 during a meeting in Medina at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. The Canal Corp. won’t be touching any trees on privately owned land. The trees have roots that can burrow into the soil, going under the towpath and reaching the canal walls. That can make the canal vulnerable to leaks and weaken the walls, Canal Corp. officials said.
After brush, vegetation and some trees are removed, the land will be seeded and mowed. That will make it easier for Canal Corp. officials to do inspections of the embankments, to make sure there aren’t any leaks or problems, Canal officials said.
Some of the wood is stacked after being cut down near the Marshall Road bridge.
Chris Busch, chairman of Medina’s Tree Board, said the tree clearing is upsetting to many residents, but he supports the effort to remove trees close by the canal.
“These trees were not a managed forest,” Busch said. “They were not planned and placed so as to be in harmony with the canal bank. Albeit beautiful, they have grown wild and random, creating a danger to the stability of the canal bank.”
Busch said a canal breach – a collapsed wall – would be catastrophic with the likely flooding.
“This is the beginning of managing the plant growth along the canal bank,” Busch said. “It’s a good thing.”
MEDINA – It just keeps getting bigger. The Medina Lions Club held its annual Scarecrow Fest on Saturday at the Orleans County YMCA. An estimated 400 people came through the door and 137 scarecrows were made by the children and families.
This event was the brainchild of Lion Sherry Wheatley who works each year to gather clothes, make Scarecrow heads and get the T-posts made.
For $10 a full-size scarecrow is made from scratch. The Lions surgical teams then tie together the loose ends and deliver the scarecrows to the happy children.
The YMCA provided the space, and a bounce house for the enjoyment of the families. The Medina Lions also offered free vision screenings and food to round out the day.
The monies raised by the Lions goes to back into the community to local charities, eye glasses for those in need, school scholarships, and decorating State Street Park for the holidays.
Medina Lions Club members Bob Holtz, left, and Pete Kaiser work on a scarecrow. If you have an interest in becoming part of our Medina Lions Club, message the club on the Medina Lions Facebook page, or call 585-721-6716 for Lion Dean Bellack.
MEDINA – For 10 years, Genesee Community College’s Campus Center in Medina has been educating and changing lives. On Oct. 23, in recognition of this milestone, the college is hosting a public celebration on site at 11470 Maple Ridge Rd.
The Medina Campus Center will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is welcome to come meet the staff and faculty and enjoy some refreshments, and also tour the 9,000-square-foot facility and see the state-of-the-art science lab, computer lab, video-link classroom and five SMART classrooms.
At noon on Oct. 23, Associate Dean Jim Simon will kick off a commencement ceremony by introducing James M. Sunser, president of GCC. Sunser will share the story of the campus center’s establishment and speak about the critical role GCC plays today in the Orleans County community. Also in attendance will be members of the Albion and Medina Advisory Committee. The public is invited to attend the ceremony as well.
Established in 2007 in response to the significant enrollment growth at the Albion Campus Center, the Medina Campus Center became GCC’s second college location in Orleans County. Its opening propelled one of GCC’s priorities: to expand access to educational opportunities for residents in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, which encompass GCC’s designated service area.
Since its opening a decade ago, the Medina Campus Center has served more than 2,500 students in credit classes. In addition, over the last 10 years, the facility has hosted over 3,500 community members from local businesses and organizations in on-site gatherings and non-credit BEST Center courses. It has also hosted numerous community events, Civil War encampments, history lectures, summer biotech camps and art gallery displays and it was one of the many stops on the Orleans County Heritage Festival for the past two years.
“It has always been and will continue to be critical for GCC to provide college close to home through its campus centers by offering not only educational, but also cultural experiences and business development services to the communities in the GLOW region,” Simon said. “We are excited to do even more in the next ten years!”
Today, with its beautiful campus centers, high-tech environment, online learning options, as well as the friendly and dedicated staff and faculty, GCC welcomes over 25 percent of the college-bound high school graduates in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2017 at 11:22 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The top of the Holley water tank on Route 237 is shown in this photo from Sept. 2.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has $22 million in state grants for water system upgrades in the Finger Lakes region, including projects in Medina and Holley.
The Village of Holley is planning a $2,090,000 project. The state will pay for $1,254,000 of the upgrade with a grant.
The Village of Medina will receive a $282,000 state grant for a $1,128,000 water project.
The grants are part of a $255 million statewide that are funded through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, as well as the new Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program.
“This unprecedented investment continues New York’s commitment to helping municipalities develop necessary infrastructure to protect our water resources,” Cuomo said today. “These investments are crucial to supporting the health and safety of our communities, and help lay the foundation for future growth and prosperity in every corner of this great state.”
Under the landmark $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, announced by Governor Cuomo in April, these grants are part of $255 million in funding available for municipalities statewide to support critical water quality infrastructure projects. The Act also made $30 million available for the new Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program, which provides grant funds for two or more municipalities sharing water quality infrastructure.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Mustang Band
WEBSTER – The Webster school district hosted the Autumn Fanfare on Oct. 7, where six high school marching bands performed in competition.
Medina took first place in SS1 with a score of 82.35 followed by East Irondequoit at 76.55.
In SS3 Marcus Whitman was first with 66.45, and Leroy was tops in SS2 with 70. Cicero-North Syracuse won LS2 with 82.85 followed by Webster at 81.2.
The Medina band will next compete on Oct. 14 in Victor and Oct. 21 in Orchard Park before the State Championships in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse on Oct. 29.
The band will celebrate Senior Recognition Night at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Vets’ Park or in the high school in case of inclement weather. The band will perform their show “With Every Heartbeat” followed by recognizing each senior who will be accompanied by their parents. This is open to the public for anyone who wants to see the show and not have to travel.
The Band Boosters are also are offering a charter spectator bus for $25/seat on Oct. 29 to Syracuse. Passengers will be picked up at the high school at noon and returned to the high school around 1:30 a.m. Passengers will still have to purchase their own ticket at the gate, and they are $18 per person and $12 for seniors and children under 12. Passengers will see all of SS2, SS1 and the National class. Medina performs at 7 p.m.
There are 55 seats on the bus and payments must be in by or before Oct. 14. To make a reservation, fill out the form located on the Medina CSD website – under the Arts then go to Medina Mustang Band – scroll down to “Spectator Bus.” Another option is to call Kim Zakes, the Dome Bus Coordinator, at 716-622-9854 or email her at kzakes@medinacsd.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2017 at 10:01 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Increasing pedestrian access to the Medina Waterfalls is one of the projects sought by Medina leaders in a $10 million state application that was denied. Medina is going to try again for the funding if the state has another round in the downtown revitalization initiative.
MEDINA – Medina village officials and community members worked together earlier this year on a $10 million application to the state for a Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
Medina didn’t get the grant, but Mayor Mike Sidari said Medina will try again.
“We’re already starting to review it and make changes,” he said about the application.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in Batavia on Friday afternoon to announce Batavia as the winner of the $10 million in the Finger Lakes region, which includes Orleans County.
This is the second year Cuomo and the state have made the $10 million available to 10 “distressed downtowns” around the state. Last year, The City of Geneva won the award in the Finger Lakes.
“Eligible projects will include those that grow small businesses and employment, expand housing, improve transportation, and partner with large institutions such as universities and hospitals,” Cuomo said in announcing the downtown grants in January 2016.
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from April 2014 shows the Bent’s Opera House, which was built in 1864. The building is undergoing a major renovation to become an upscale restaurant, boutique hotel and event space.
At Batavia on Friday, the governor said the state wants to jumpstart projects to create “cool places” that appeal to millennials to live and work. The younger generation entering the workforce wants to be able to walk to cafes and restaurants. The state wants to reward communities that have plans to reimagine their downtowns, Cuomo said.
Medina’s grant application highlighted recent successes, including a $10 million investment by Baxter Healthcare, which has added 400 jobs since 2012. Canadian firms such as Brunner, Pride Pak and Hinspergers Poly Industries also are heavily invested in Medina.
The application sought to take better advantage of the wide Canal Basin, which Medina officials said has “underutilized and untapped potential.”
The Medina application says the downtown is ideally situated between Rochester and Buffalo. The village is on the Niagara Wine Trail and includes destination restaurants such as Mariachi De Oro and Zambistro’s.
Medina already has several popular events and attractions such as the Polar Express (19,000 in December), Parade of Lights (10,000 in late November), Thomas the Tank Engine (12,000 in May), Steampunk Festival, Wine about Winter, Ale in Autumn and Farm-to-Table dinner.
The application notes planned investments in the community, including a $6 million renovation of the Bent’s Opera House to develop the site into a boutique hotel, high-end restaurant and event space. The former Medina High School also is planned to be redeveloped into a mixed-use facility with apartments.
Medina also has a Business Park that has been a finalist for significant projects, including one manufacturer that would have created 800 jobs. Besides that coveted land in the business park, Medina is also 8 miles from the STAMP high-tech park in the Town of Alabama.
With the recent business expansions and prospects for more mean industry, Medina will feel a demand for residential opportunities, the application from Medina stated.
Much of the Medina housing stock and downtown architecture is in need of significant investment following decades of economic depression in the community, the application states.
Some highlights of Medina’s application for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative include:
This rendering shows a reimagined Canal Basin with expanded amenities for boaters and kayaks.
• Canal Basin Revitalization:
Medina proposed burying power lines (costs and lead times have already been obtained from National Grid), reconfiguring parking and roadway, improving pedestrian/bicycle traffic flow and replacing concrete wall with grass and tree lined slope. Medina also wants to remediate any soil conditions as needed.
The village application also sought Canal Basin infrastructure improvements with upgraded boating Amenities – slips, docks, tie-ups and restroom improvements, better lighting for security and ambiance, a boat launch and a kayak launch, as well as more tree plantings and walkway improvements.
• Medina Waterfall Area Upgrades
The Medina waterfall exists as a result of a unique engineering infrastructure feat related to the Canal and Canal Basin, the Medina application states. Medina wants to bolster this unique opportunity around the canal and the Medina area and create a regional tourist attraction that would also draw more customers to downtown businesses and improve the local quality of life.
The application sought to allow pedestrian access to the waterfall, and also repair sidewalks and improve lighting.
• Seasonal Business Development Program
The village in its application sought a design and development program for seasonal businesses entrepreneurial opportunities. Medina said it would engage architecture and design students from local universities to help design and construct any temporary or permanent Canal Basin shop buildings.
• Streetscape Upgrades
The goal of the improved streetscapes would be to connect the surrounding residential areas to downtown and the Canal Basin. This effort would also work in with conjunction with the Brownfield Acquisition & Development portion of the proposed plan as well as the overall planing board initiative to improve pedestrian walkways and bike paths throughout the village.
• Buildings & Facades – Mixed Use
This program promotes enhanced usage of Medina’s unique downtown building stock – an asset base with many buildings comprised of priceless Medina Sandstone housed in a compact four corner downtown district which supports entrepreneurial pursuits, social engagement, civic leadership, walkability, cultural events and preservation, according to the application.
The recent capital investments by businesses in the community is creating a larger and larger housing and temporary lodging deficiency within the Medina area. This portion of funding would be directed toward attracting the national level talent these companies are seeking by leveraging Medina’s existing untaped architectural resources and infrastructure to increase unique hotel, temporary and permanent housing options across a diverse project set.
Mixed use developments with residential projects would better utilize buildings and boost the local tax base, Medina officials said.
Ken and Rose Baker from Baker Farms in Medina, right, are pictured last November with Kari Kasmier, a beekeeper who sells honey at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The Orleans Renaissance Group would like to see the site developed into year-round facility with bathrooms and more amenities.
Medina also said some of the $10 million award could be used to expand the scope, utilization and economic development within the local farmers market (Canal Village Farmers Market) – perhaps with a year-round facility. The market could use bathrooms, lighting, paints, etc. The market fills a need in the downtown with the nearest grocery store 2 miles away.
Medina could design and develop a best practice strategy for increasing local food consumption, local farmer economic support via community purchasing power and overall cultural awareness of the benefits related to supporting local food movements (reduced carbon footprints, access to whole healthy fruits and vegetables for blighted neighborhoods).
• Brownfield Acquisition & Development
There are two key brownfield sites coupled with two existing properties within the downtown Medina area that could be leveraged in accordance with the previously laid out infrastructure projects. Both 151 Pearl Street and 331 Main Street could be transformed into a mixed-use municipal parking and green space lot serving parking needs while increasing overall green space.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The site on Main Street that used to be the Starlite Cleaners could be redeveloped into parking and green space, Medina said in its state application for $10 million.
Although Medina missed the $10 million grant this round, it looks like the state will continue to offer the program next year. The governor said the state was expecting 20-22 applications for the downtown grants around the state received 104.
Vincent Esposito, regional director of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, encouraged Medina to try again for the funding.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 October 2017 at 7:18 am
Developer of hotel needs to provide more information for Maple Ridge project
MEDINA – The Village of Medina Planning Board on Tuesday approved the site plan for a pizzeria at the former K & K Food Mart, a building on Maple Ridge Road that has been vacant for several years.
James Bitsas and Marc Massaro will work together in operating a pizzeria at 11360 Maple Ridge Rd. Cusimano’s Pizzeria will be in an existing 3,300-square-foot building.
While that project was given the final OK on Tuesday, the board said more information is needed on a proposed 3-story hotel would be 10,557 square feet on Maple Ridge Road.
BriMark Builders is proposing a new 58-room hotel at 11591 Maple Ridge Rd., in the Medina Business Park. The new Cobblestone Inn and Suites hotel would be next to Pride Pak and almost across the street from Genesee Community College.
Cobblestone Inn and Suites has built about 80 hotels with most of them in small towns, typically working with investors in the host community. An investor from Pennsylvania is leading the effort in Medina. This is Cobblestone’s first project in New York.
Planning Board Chairman Chris Busch said the board is pleased with the project, but there are some additional reviews and information needed. The Medina Tree Board will review the tree planting scheme and the Medina Fire Department will review the plan for rear fire access.
BriMark also needs to provide further clarification and documentation for the project, which will be reviewed by Bergmann Associates in Rochester.
The project includes 65 parking spots, an access drive, outdoor patio, sidewalks, dumpster enclosure, and an optional future gravel truck parking area. Stormwater will be collected and diverted through a dry swale network to a proposed wet pond at the northeast of the site.
The Planning Board on Tuesday also approved three certificates of appropriateness including the front façade colors for Gypsy’s, a new coffee and dessert bar at 435 Main St.; the front façade colors for Zambistro, a restaurant at 408 Main St.; and the rear façade materials for a lily and a sparrow, a women’s clothing store at 438 Main St.
File photo by Tom Rivers: This stone carving of a face is part of the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia, a Medina Sandstone building that was completed in 1889. It has been nominated for the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.
Press Release, Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Society will induct its Class of 2017 into the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame on Oct. 19.
The new class will be honored with a reception in Medina City Hall, 600 Main St. at 1 p.m.
In attendance will be representatives of the four award-winning sandstone structures located in four Western NY counties Orleans, Monroe, Genesee and Chautauqua.
Also attending the award presentation will be local dignitaries and members of the Sandstone Society called “Stonecutters” who provide financial support and assistance.
The 2017 Class is the fifth Hall of Fame Class to be inducted since the original class in 2013. Selections to the 2017 class included six new nominations received this past year, as well as over 20 previous nominations not yet inducted.
The Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame reflects the century from 1830 to 1930 when Medina Sandstone was a favored building material of famed builders and architects, and was used in countless churches, homes and public edifices, not to mention long spans of city streets and curbing. It was used all over America, overseas, and remains largely intact today.
Structures chosen for the Hall of Fame are outstanding buildings made of Medina Sandstone. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee made trips around the state and contiguous areas to research and photograph the buildings nominated.
Selection criteria include architectural uniqueness, beauty, preservation efforts, and functional status. Each inductee is presented with a handsome plaque to display within the structure. A companion plaque is then shown in the Hall of Fame itself.
For additional information about the Medina Sandstone Society and the Hall of Fame please visit their website at: www.SandstoneSociety.org.
Photos courtesy of CJ Cruickshank, a Medina High School senior
MEDINA – Homecoming was celebrated last week at Medina High School, with the king and queen crowned during a pep assembly on Friday. Trenton Jones was named king and Madison Kenward was picked the queen.
The Homecoming Court of girls includes, from left: Grace Flores, Madison Kenward (Queen), Destiny Satkowski, Alexis Adams and Hannah Sones.
Homecoming Court of boys includes Trenton Jones (King), Jorge Phillips, Elijah Sones, Jake Bensley and Alden Cayea.
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band performed in competition for the third time this season on Saturday in Lancaster. It was a clear, crisp night with seven bands competing at the show.
Medina took top score in SS1 with 81.35. Each week there are changes to the drill and the props which is a credit to the students who are able to incorporate these changes and to the prop crew who build the props and transport them onto the field.
In SS3 Pioneer took first place with a score of 66.85; Northwestern in SS2 with 72.7; and Jamestown in National class with 80.65.
There are four more opportunities to see the Medina show, “With Every Heartbeat.” The band will perform Oct. 7 in Webster, Oct. 14 in Victor, Oct. 21 in Orchard Park and then at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse on Oct. 29.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 October 2017 at 4:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Youngsters check out a Mercy Flight helicopter that landed in Medina today at about noon as part of an open house at the Medina Fire Department.
Besides the helicopter, the open house included fire safety material, fire station tours, fire extinguisher training, family activities, antique cars and fire trucks, and carnival games.
The Sheriff’s Office “Safe Child” program with car seat inspections also were available, as well as New York State Police’s “Beer Goggles” simulator and the Carlton Fire Department rescue boat.
Today was the public debut of a new 35-foot-long fire safety training trailer. The trailer is owned by Orleans County’s Emergency Management Office, and is available to all 12 fire departments in the county. It was paid for with a $75,000 state grant from Sen. Robert Ortt.
Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator, turns on some fog in the trailer. The trailer will be used to help children and families develop fire escape plans.
The trailer will be at local school districts next week for fire prevention week. There have been 40 firefighters in the county trained to students through the trailer.
Firefighters stress the importance of having working smoke alarms, knowing two ways of getting out of a room. A door is the first try, but the second way out may be a window. Families should also have a meeting place outside a house or apartment in case of fire. Usually that is in front of the residence.
Christine Falls of Lockport, in red shirt, and Logan Quackenbush, 6, of Medina practice getting out of a window and going down a ladder at the fire safety trailer.
Medina firefighter Timothy Miller helps his twin sons, Caleb (left) and Sam, 3, aim a fire nozzle at a target as part of the open house today.
Jack Buondonno, 3, sets up pins as part of a bowling game today.
Sarah Young gets a picture of her daughter, Abigail, crawling through a tunnel to simulate staying low under smoke. Abigail’s father Mike is a Medina firefighter.
Medina firefighter Steve Cooley watches traffic while Mercy Flight lands at about noon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2017 at 11:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – There were about 700 people on the annual Ale in Autumn beer-tasting tour in downtown Medina on Saturday. That event is also a showcase for businesses that welcome in the beer-tasters.
The top photo shows Sonya Moss, left, and her cousin Ann Negron at Habichuela’s, a Puerto Rican restaurant at 701 S. Main St.
“It brings in a lot of new people, as well as some of our regular customers,” said Moss.
Habichuela’s opened in June 2016 and participates in Ale as well as Wine About Winter, the wine-tasting event organized by the Medina Business Association.
Moss said about 700 people were expected to come through the door at Habichuela’s for Ale in Autumn. Habichuela’s served tastes of Mortiz, a pale ale from Barcelona, Spain.
Rosenkrans created this sign to welcome the Ale in Autumn crowd. The event is a chance to have the ale tasters see the business, which includes a gift shop.
“We have 700 people who are coming inside and they’re going through the entire store,” said Michelle Leffler, the pharmacy manager at Rosenkrans, which served an Italian beer.
Nicole Baumgart of Canalside Tattoo pours samples of a Mexican craft beer called Pay the Ferryman.
“This gives an introduction of who we are and what we do,” said Shawn Ramsey, Canalside owner. “Many have said they’ve never been in a tattoo parlor before. Many are taken by how clean and open and bright it is.”
Proceeds from the event will help the Medina Business Association with improvement projects in the downtown business district.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 September 2017 at 7:30 am
Courtesy of Cobblestone Suites: The proposed 58-room hotel in Medina will look similar to this Cobblestone Suites hotel in Pennsylvania.
MEDINA – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday approved the site plan for a new 58-room hotel at 11591 Maple Ridge Rd., in the Medina Business Park.
BriMark Builders is the applicant for the new Cobblestone Inn and Suites hotel on Maple Ridge Road, next to Pride Pak and almost across the street from Genesee Community College. BriMark is based in Neenah, Wisc.
The 3-story hotel would be 10,557 square feet. This is Cobblestone’s first project in New York.
Cobblestone Inn and Suites has built about 80 hotels with most of them in small towns, typically working with investors in the host community. An investor from Pennsylvania is leading the effort to build the project in Medina.
The Orleans Economic Development Agency has been trying for years to recruit a national chain hotel to the county. Cobblestone Suites fulfills that goal for the EDA. The new hotel will encourage more overnight stays for visitors in the county.
BriMark needs a height variance for the hotel. The Medina code limits building height in the Light Industrial District to 35 feet. The hotel peaks at 55 feet to the top of the cupola and the roof peaks at 44 feet.
The County Planning Board recommended Medina approve a height variance for the project.
The project includes 65 parking spots, an access drive, outdoor patio, sidewalks, dumpster enclosure, and an optional future gravel truck parking area. Stormwater will be collected and diverted through a dry swale network to a proposed wet pond at the northeast of the site.
The Medina Planning Board will have a public hearing for the site plan at 7:10 p.m. on Oct. 3 at City Hall on Main Street.
