Photos by Tom Rivers: A new Medina Dog Park was recently added to the site on North Gravel Road. The Medina Rotary Club paid for the sign which was installed by Art Hill Construction.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2023 at 9:01 am
MEDINA – The dog park on North Gravel Road will soon have a gazebo for people to get some shade from the sun and shelter from rain while bringing their canines to the site.
Cindy Davis, vice president of Friends of the Medina Dog Park, updated the Village Board on Monday about the park. Davis, owner of the Pet Nanny, said Dog Park Funds is paying for the gazebo.
She said she is at the park about five times a day. The site draws dog owners from Albion, Brockport, Batavia, Newfane and other surrounding communities, in addition to Medina residents.
“It gets a lot of activity,” she said about the fenced-in site that opened in September 2020. “It has gone over really well.”
Cindy Davis, vice president of Friends of the Medina Dog Park, updates the Village Board on Monday evening about plans for improvements at the dog park.
Davis said she would like to see the dog park look more like a typical park.
“Right now it’s a space with a fence, basically,” she said.
There aren’t any shade trees. “When you’re there you’re roasting,” she said.
Davis said she expects the gazebo to be installed later this month or in July. She asked for wood chips to be put at a spot where the grass doesn’t grow much because of so many people congregating there. Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, said the village has an “unlimited supply” of wood chips and can add those to the dog park.
Perhaps next year there will be agility equipment for dogs. Davis said students in the BOCES program may build the agility equipment for the park.
Davis said a new “Medina Dog Park” was recently installed for the site that is north of the Erie Canal and south of Boxwood Cemetery.
The Friends of the Dog Park will coordinate with the DPW on where any new equipment goes to make it as easy as possible to mow around.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 June 2023 at 9:53 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Todd Draper takes the oath of office as Medina police chief this evening in the Medina Senior Center. He is joined by his wife Tricia and their son Tyler.
Draper takes over for Chad Kenward, who retired on June 9 after 7 1/2 years as chief and 20 years with the Medina PD. Draper has been with the Medina Police Department the past 18 years, and was the department’s second in command as lieutenant.
“I feel very confident in him,” Kenward said about Draper. “We worked very well together. He has a lot of integrity and he knows the job very well.”
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari presents Chad Kenward with a plaque in appreciation for his service as police chief. Kenward was praised on the plaque for his “professionalism, dedication, and service to the Medina Police Department and the Citizens of Medina. We wish you all the best in your retirement.”
Don Draper, a retired Medina police chief, puts the chief’s pin on his son, Todd Draper. The retired police chief has another son, Don Jr., who is the county’s undersheriff, with another son Mike as county 911 dispatcher. Another son Steven works as a career firefighter in South Carolina. Todd, 41, is the youngest of the four brothers.
“We were born and bred for public service,” Todd Draper said.
His mother Nancy also was a long-time court clerk for Medina.
Todd Draper takes the oath of office while joined by family members including his father Don Draper, mother Nancy, son Tyler and wife Tricia.
Draper said he enjoys working in his hometown. He will lead a department of 12 full-time officers when fully staffed. The department is currently low on officers with four in the police academy. They will soon join the Medina PD.
Three of the recruits are in the police academy in Niagara County and one is in Monroe County. Draper said he would like the four to be sworn in during the June 26 Village Board meeting.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: A lineup of antique vehicles and classic cars spans across Medina’s canal basin Friday night for the first cruise-in of the season.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 June 2023 at 7:56 am
Dave Green, organizer of Medina’s Friday night cruise-ins in the canal basin, checks in car 51, a 1937 Ford Coupe driven by Steve Skryp and his wife Michele of Lyndonville.
MEDINA – It’s a sure sign summer is here when cruise-ins start popping up throughout the area.
Friday night was the start of Medina’s cruise-in in the canal basin, and although turnout was one of the lightest in the event’s history, organizer Dave Green is still looking forward to a summer of successful events.
Vehicles numbered only in the low 50s, which Green attributed to the forecast of possible showers.
“I know the rain kept a lot of people away,” he said. “If they hadn’t forecast rain, there would have easily been 100 cars here.”
People with antique vehicles do not want to take a chance on them getting wet, he said.
An exception was Steve Skryp of Lyndonville, who was one of the last to arrive with his wife Michele in their 1937 Ford Coupe. A little rain wouldn’t hurt it, he said.
Different organizations sell refreshments each Friday and music is played by DJ Hank Nevins.
The cruise-ins are sponsored by United Way of Orleans County. Weekly 50/50 drawings support United Way.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 June 2023 at 7:34 am
Long-time end-of-year tradition returned last year after decade absence
Provided photos by Jason Klein: (Left) Cayla Seever competes in the Medina Track and Field Days. She set a new record for Medina in the long jump. (Middle) Fifth-grader Aurelius Schalck broke Wise Middle School’s record for the one-mile race during Track and Field Days. (Right) Caliyah St. Luis set a new record in the football throw.
MEDINA – Track and Field Days has a long history in Medina, having been started more than 50 years ago by physical education teachers Bill Ossont and Kay VanNostrand. It continued to take place until 2012 when Oak Orchard and Towne schools reorganized. (The Towne Primary School closed about a decade ago.)
In 2022, Melissa Valley, physical education teacher, moved to Wise Middle School and decided to bring the event back. With help from Kristi Young and Mollie Mark, a very successful Track and Field Days was held last year, with 90 to 100 students participating. Also helping was retired teacher, Kathie Valley, who brought in retirees to help out.
(Left) Jude Lacy broke the boys’ record in the 100 and 400 meter dashes. (Right) Talia Rupp gets a high five from Coach Mollie Mark.
This year’s event began on May 31 and concluded on June 6, with a number of records being broken. Sixth graders who broke records were Jude Lacy, 100 and 400, dash; Talia Rupp, girls’ mile; Caliyah St. Luis, football throw; and Cayla Seever, long jump. Fifth-grader Aurelius Schalck broke the one-mile record.
Each student was allowed to choose two events in which to compete and trophies were awarded. First-place winners were chosen for each grade. The sixth-grade winner was Ms. Valley’s class; fifth-grade winner was Mrs. Weber’s class; fourth-grade winner was Mrs. Mark’s class; and third-grade winner was Mrs. Cree’s class.
Named Most Valuable Players were sixth grade – Jude Lacy, Caliyah St. Luis and Cayla Seever; and coach’s award, Payton Allen; fifth grade – Aurelius Schalck and Lily Hungerford; fourth grade – Lucius Boyle and Erin Allis; and third grade – Abigail Sutch and Bryson Heilgenthaler.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mollie Mark, a Medina teacher, directs students where to line up for an event during the last day of Track and Field Days at Wise Middle School.
Provided photo: The 2023-24 student staff are pictured during the annual awards banquet on Monday.
Posted 8 June 2023 at 9:38 pm
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Marching Band celebrated the 2022-23 season at the 52nd Annual Medina Mustang Band Banquet.
Following dinner, the band’s Director, Matthew Jaeger, commenced the evening by introducing the band’s current and incoming Booster Officers. He then presented the Harry L. Dinkle Band Booster award to Mike & Kathy Dreyfus, for “never-ending dedication to the Medina Mustang Band” program.
Several student awards were given including:
Medina Mustang Band Awards
NYSFBC Scholarship: Mia Hobbs
Annual Mustang Band Booster Service Scholarship: Dana De Vera
Mustang Band Booster Memorial Scholarship: Seagan Majchrzak
The Steele Family Award: Lillian Wilson
Joseph C. McKain Award: Dana De Vera & Alex Balaban
Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award: Mia Hobbs, Gabe Mark and Seagan Majchrzak
Flute Section Leader: Henry Rigerman & Ella Dahlhaus
Clarinet Section Leader: Dana De Vera
Saxophone Section Leader: Brooke Moden
Mellophone Section Leader: Seagan Majchrzak
Trumpet Section Leader: Michael Chisler
Low Brass Section Leader: Emma Herbert
Front Ensemble Section Leader: Paige Dix
Head Band Manager: Baliey Clare
Band Manager: Lillian Wilson
Band Manager: Alex Balaban
Band Manager: Caiden Class
Uniform Manager: Marissa Brigham
Secretary/Librarian: Kayleigh Wright
Colorguard Managers: Sara Swart, Aries McMurray, & Abigail Wright
Colorguard Captain: Gabriella Flores-Medina
Head of Percussion: Gabe Mark
Assistant Drum Majors: Saegan Majchrzak/Gabe Mark
Drum Major: Mia Hobbs
Service Awards
All members of the Band were given a Service Award, based on how many seasons of service.
Following the awards ceremony, Alex Balaban gave the Junior Prologue, followed by Mia Hobbs who gave the Senior Prologue. The evening wrapped with the announcement of the 2023-24 Student Staff.
2023-24 Student Staff
Flute Section Leader: Adreanna McMurray
Clarinet Section Leader: Makenzie McGrath
Saxaphone Section Leader: Caidan Class
Mellophone Section Leader: Madisynn Stanton
Trumpet Section Leader: Ryder Jones
Low Brass Section Leader: Cameron Kenward
Front Ensemble Section Leader: Emma Jacobs
Uniform Manager: Abigayle Wright
Colorguard Managers: Abigayle Wright, Natalie Herbert & Mackenzie Poynter
Provided images: Dylan Newton will be in Medina on June 13 and will give a presentation on her two most recent novels.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 June 2023 at 11:19 pm
MEDINA – A noted author will visit Author’s Note, Medina’s independent book store, on June 13 to discuss her two latest romantic comedy novels.
Dylan Newton will discuss, sign copies and read from her books, “How Sweet It Is” and “All Fired Up,” beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Newton was born and raised in a small town where the library was her favorite hangout. After more than a decade working in corporate jobs, she quit to pursue writing books, and has since created four published novels, with more to come. When she isn’t writing, she spends the day with her husband, as they split time between Florida and Upstate New York with their two daughters.
In addition to Tuesday evening’s event, which is free and open to the public, Newton will also introduce her books at a similar event at 6 p.m. June 14 at Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy.
Author’s Note’s new marketing director Jack Masse gives an insight into each of the books.
“How Sweet It Is” follows event planner Kate Sweet as she falls in love with a bestselling horror writer, Drake Matthews, after she plans his new book launch event. Kate is famous for creating the perfect dream weddings for her clients. Kate’s and Drake’s lives change drastically, turning into something of a nightmare. With Drake being unprepared in the face of chaos and the sting of romance, their story of romance will surprise everyone, including the characters themselves, Masse said.
“All Fired Up” is about the blossoming love between two opposites – Imani Lewis, a book publicist, and Zander Matthews, a handyman helping Imani fix her grandmother’s house. Imani has agreed to stay with her grandmother for the summer as she recovers from surgery, back in the small town where Imani had an embarrassing one-night stand.
Zander is a former Marine still holding on to a lost love of a woman who blew into town a year ago, only to disappear soon after. He agrees to help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house, as long as they stay within the friend zone, but life seems to have other plans.
“How Sweet It Is,” Newton’s first romantic comedy, has received many awards and reviews. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews describes the novel as “A hilarious rom-com romp that delivers on both sweet and heat. It was tagged as a rom-com selection by The Nerd Daily, named to PopSugar’s list of 12 Swoon-Worthy Romance Books to Read in one sitting and selected as a book club read by Woman’s World.
“All Fired Up” is the second book in Newton’s Matthews’ brother series, and has also received many awards and reviews. The Nerd Daily describes the novel as “A delightful second chance, opposites attract, small town romantic comedy that would be perfect for fans of the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese, the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert, and others. Booklist also defines the novel as an “utterly delightful romance.”
Photos and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band
The Medina Mustang Marching Band traveled to Sherburne in Chenango County to participate in the 74th Annual Sherburne Pageant of Bands. This is the oldest pageant of bands in New York State.
Thirty bands performed in the parade and were rated by judges. Medina earned several awards including:
The Frank Miller Outstanding Band Director Award
Best in Class Award – Class A
Drum Majors Award, 1st Place
Color Guard trophy, 1st Place
Parade trophy, 1st Place
Drum Line trophy, 2nd Place
Medina took first in Concert Band in Class A with 91.5 points. Medina also earned second for Jazz Band with a score of 92, behind Norwich in first with 93.5, and Medina was second in Small Ensemble with 97 points, behind Norwich with 98.
The Mustangs were first in Color Guard in Class A with a score of 98, first in parade in Class A at 95.75, and second in drum line in Class A with 81.705, behind Pulaski at 86.725.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 June 2023 at 10:17 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Phyllis Winters, Lions Club president Jim Punch and Donna Bushover stand at the four corners of downtown Medina, getting ready for the annual Community Yard Sale. Winters and Bushover handed out maps showing location of yard sales and Punch set out some of the equipment available in the Lions’ Medical Loan Closet.
MEDINA – With nice weather, 34 participating vendors and hundreds of shoppers, the Medina Lions are proclaiming their annual Community Yard Sale a “resounding success.”
“We couldn’t be happier,” said chairman Jim Hancock.
The chicken barbecue sold out, the Weinermobile (which traveled the streets during the sale so shoppers could grab a hot dog and not have to stop for lunch) sold out, the Lions’ food booth at the Olde Pickle Factory did very well and 70 percent of the Lions membership turned out to help, Hancock said.
“And I am amazed at how many people there were out and about,” he said.
Lions members, including Phyllis Winters, Donna Bushover, president Jim Punch, Dave Bellucci and Dean Bellack were at the four corners of Main and Center streets at 8 a.m. to hand out maps of the yard sales to passersby. Those who wished, could make a donation for the maps. Punch brought out wheelchairs, walkers and canes to display.
“I want the public to be reminded that we have these things to loan out at our Medical Loan Closet,” Punch said.
Brenda Cherry of 504 Park Ave., Medina, puts out clothing in her yard sale early this morning.
Many people took part in the yard sale, including Brenda Cherry of 504 Park Ave. She has participated other years, and sometimes she has done well, and other times not so well, she said. She enjoys doing it and it’s a good way to get of things she can’t use.
There’s no telling what shoppers would find at the location advertised here at the corner of West and Park avenues.
“I like the opportunity to help someone who might need something I have, and it helps the Lions and the community,” she said.
Some families combined their goods into one large sale. Shoppers could find almost anything they were looking for, and often things they weren’t looking for.
Rob Klino on West Center Street had his sale, but went across the street and bought something from his neighbor.
At the Olde Pickle Factory, vendors included everything from baked goods and jewelry to fancy dishes and books.
OCALS, Orleans County Adult Learning Services, annually has a book sale at the vendor show.
“You can’t believe how many books we sell,” said Don Colquhoun, treasurer of OCALS.
This morning Pam Schuner, Carolyn Wagner and Kathy Punch were running out of room to display all the books that had been donated. Books included everything from baking to World War II.
Rob Robinson and his band entertained at the vendor fair, and the crowd really enjoyed them, Hancock said. “Everything went very well.”
Pam Schuner, front, Carolyn Wagner and Kathy Punch fill OCALS’ table with donated books at the vendor fair at the Olde Pickle Factory today.
Provided photos: Jacob Dorpfeld will be making these benches and stools for a new boutique hotel in Portland, Maine.
Article courtesy of Sharon Baker
Jacob Dorpfeld
MEDINA – Jacob Dorpfeld, a custom furniture maker in Medina, has been picked to make 125 hand-crafted benches and stools for the guestrooms for The Longfellow Hotel, a 48-room boutique hotel under construction in Portland, Maine.
The hotel, named after legendary poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is slated to open this fall and will mark the first independent, full-service hotel to open in Portland in 20 years. The Post Company is designing the five-story, ground-up building in Portland’s historic West End neighborhood.
The interiors will feature paired-back minimalism and traces of rugged elements in a nod to Portland and American craftsmanship, and are blended with a warm ambiance for relaxation and restoration, says Spencer Fried, lead designer for the hotel at the Post Company.
Dorpfeld, 33, runs his business out of his Ridge Road home. His online posts of his custom-made furniture on Etsy caught the eye of the designers of the hotel.
When choosing the interior furniture, “it was important we used American craftsmanship and a lot of wood,” Fried says. “We saw Jacob’s Etsy shop and were impressed with his pieces, which convey a modern aesthetic but with styling of times past. His work was perfectly transitional in our eyes.”
The Post Company provided design materials including a Shaker stool and asked Dorpfeld to design a bench with a profile that was more streamlined and modern. The resulting sample “was lovely and just as we imagined,” Fried said.
Dorpfeld is making 7’6″ wooden benches for 42 rooms, and 87 smaller round and rectangular stools for the hotel.
He has handmade and sold more than 400 Danish Modern style benches for customers around the country during his five years in business. In addition to making other custom furniture such tables, chests, and dressers, Dorpfeld also designed and installed custom closet cabinetry, library bookshelves and wet bars.
Dorpfeld’s designs and furniture typically include mortise and tenon joinery and other traditional joints, and he enjoys collaborating with consumers on custom furniture as well as working with designers on commercial hospitality and restaurant projects.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2023 at 4:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Bob Meehan, back right, is joined by his grandchildren and other Sons of the American Legion in passing out 2,100 flags before the Memorial Day parade in medina. Meehan’s grandkids include Riley Meehan, left in red John Allen jersey; Tyler Meehan, front center; Ashton Erickson, back in blue shirt; and Julian Erickson, back in red shirt.
The Honor Guard carries the colors near the start of the Memorial Day parade which went from the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue to Main Street and then down East Center Street to State Street Park.
A casket draped with an American flag sent a powerful message about Memorial Day. Bill Maryjanowski of Medina drives a 1969 deuce and a half, carrying the casket.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari passes out candy along the parade route. Here he is on park Avenue in front of the fire hall.
Girl Scouts in 82094 basked in the bright sunshine.
Boy Scouts were well represented in the parade.
Dave Sevenski is joined by a friend in passing out treats for the Knights of Columbus.
These girls kept their pinwheels moving during the parade on a very sunny Memorial Day.
Levi Welker, 2, enjoys a lollypop and the view from his father Zack Welker’s shoulders.
The Medina Marching Band gave a high-energy performance for the home crowd.
The band marched in a precise procession during the parade.
The white plumes on the Medina Marching Band hats are shown as the band headed down East Center Street.
Josh Vacanti of Lockport, one of the stars of Season 21 of NBC’s The Voice, sang from a float during the parade. He was promoting an upcoming performance at 7:30 p.m. on July 22 for the Salt & Light Festival in Gasport.
Jim Freas reads the names of veterans from Medina who have passed away since the last Memorial Day. It was part of a service at State Street Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2023 at 9:26 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Village Board agreed to dedicate use of one of the docks at the Erie Canal for a new business offering boat rides.
Brian Hellner will need to pay $125 a month or $625 for the season to have exclusive access to one of the docks.
Mayor Mike Sidari said brick-and-mortar stores pay village taxes. He said it’s only fair a business using the dock pay a fee.
“We have to maintain down there and mow the lawn,” Sidari said about the Canal Basin area.
Brian Hellner of Newfane is looking to open a new business offering rides for up to six people on a 20-foot-long pontoon boat. Hellner said he has been a licensed charter captain the past 12 years and an avid boater the past 50 years. He also is a former vice president of the Buffalo Maritime Center.
Hellner said he sees an opportunity to grow tourism in the village through the canal cruises. He plans to call the business, North Star Charters. He would like to offer one-hour rides from Friday through Sunday from June to the fall. The Erie Canal closes to boating traffic on Oct. 11. It opened for its 199th season on May 19.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2023 at 9:05 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Medina’s fast-charging stations are planned for the Canal Basin near the median where there is access to electricity. There would be four spots with each station having two.
MEDINA – The total cost for the Village of Medina’s two fast-charging stations is estimated at $370,000.
It shouldn’t cost the village anything, unless the village opts for short-term financing, said Matt Zarbo, a managing engineer with Barton & Loguidice.
He went over the grant and project with the Village Board this week. Medina on April 17 was approved for a $245,184 grant for two direct-current fast charger pedestals.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and National Grid will also contribute to the project, Zarbo said.
Medina will go through the design and procurement phase of the project. Zarbo said the village needs to pay upfront and then get reimbursed. Medina can consider short-term financing or using existing village funds, Zarbo said.
The state and National Grid will pay for all construction, design, engineering, signage and painting for the project, but the short-term financing expense may not be included, Zarbo said.
When Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the funding for Medina last month, it was part of $8.4 million awarded statewide for charging stations. Medina was one of 28 to receive funding for the fast-charging stations that take only 45 minutes.
The Village of Albion one of 454 to be awarded $10,500 for two Level 2 charging ports that take longer for a charge.
The charging stations approved for Medina need to be in the downtown area and there needs to be four parking spots designated for electric vehicles at the charging stations.
Village Board members on Monday said there may be some pushback from business owners about having spots reserved for electric vehicles.
“We are excited to have them don’t get me wrong but we have a shortage of parking spots in the village,” said Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman.
Zarbo said he sees the fast-charging stations as a big benefit to the businesses. They will be the first fast-chargers for public use in the county, and will show up on apps, drawing electric vehicle drivers to Medina.
Zarbo suggested the spots go in the Canal Basin parking lot, where there is existing three-phase electric infrastructure in the median of the parking lot. That would make the project less costly.
“This should help the businesses not hurt them,” Zarbo said. “Apps show where fast-charging stations are located. You may draw more people here.”
Users of the charging stations are expected to be billed through a credit card or an app.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2023 at 11:29 am
Provided photo
MEDINA – These Medina students Bella Gomez (left) and Taylor Frentz are in art teacher Jennifer Scott’s class. They are touching up the village sign outside the village office as part of the Impact Day of doing service projects in the Medina community. Jack Daigle also is part of the effort with the sign.
The students have finished one side of the side and will do the other and put on polyurethane on both sides.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2023 at 4:59 pm
MEDINA – The Village Board voted this week to increase the costs at Boxwood Cemetery by 2 percent, effective June 1. This follows the typical schedule from the village of boosting the prices 2 percent annually.
One change this time is the village will charging an additional $300 fee for burials or services after 3 p.m. That is because village employees have to stay past a typical work day.
The new rates include:
grave purchase – $746 for village residents and $870 for non-village residents
grave opening/closing – $621 for village residents, $746 for non-village residents
cremains – $372 for residents, $496 for non-village residents (add $200 if two cremations to be placed in same opening)
Photos by Tom Rivers: Kimberly Baptiste and Jeanette Petti, planners with Bergmann in Rochester, go over the NY Forward process for Medina to pick projects for $4.5 million in state funding. Those projects will be submitted to the state in November, with the projects to then be reviewed by the state with the final selections to be announced by the governor’s office next spring.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2023 at 12:47 pm
MEDINA – The group that will identify projects to submit to the state for the $4.5 million awarded to Medina in NY Forward program wants to spread the money around, including many smaller projects as well as larger transformative efforts.
The 15-member local planning committee met for the first time on Wednesday evening and expects to have monthly sessions the next six months to pick the projects to submit to the state for its approval. The governor’s office is expected to announce which projects and the funding levels for each about a year from now.
Mayor Mike Sidari said he is grateful Medina was picked for the funding after being a finalist several times and missing out on a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The state modified the DRI to include smaller NY Forward grants for villages. The DRIs typically were going to cities with the villages not getting anything.
Medina is one of 24 NY Forward winners around the state and the grants range from $2.75 million to $4.5 million.
“It’s New York Forward but this will be Medina Forward,” Sidari said at the beginning of the two-hour meeting on Wednesday.
Sidari is co-chairman of the committee with Steve Mowers, the president of CRFS in Albion and a member of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.
The other committee members include Lauren Backlas, Gabrielle Barone, Kathy Blackburn, Gloria Brent, Chris Busch, Jesse Cudzillo, Tim Elliott, David Flynn, Rollin Hellner, Mark Kruzynski, Andrew Meier, Patrick Weissend and Mark Zambito.
Kimberly Baptiste of the Bergmann engineering, architecture and planning firm led the committee through the first meeting on Wednesday evening at the Medina Central School board room.
The committee members have all signed a code of conduct and must recuse themselves from any discussion or voting if they seek grant funding for their property or if they are part of an organization applying for NY Forward money.
The committee will work closely with planners from the Bergmann engineering, architectural and planning firm in Rochester. Other firms also will be assisting Medina in reviewing projects. Samantha Aldrich, a project manager and revitalization specialist with the state Department of State, also will be working closely with Medina through the process of submitting the final proposal to the state.
Kimberly Baptiste, a certified planner with Bergmann, went over the NY Forward program with the committee and the expected timeline in the coming months. The projects submitted in Medina’s application won’t necessarily receive funding and at the amounts identified in the application.
There also will be an opportunity for others to submit projects that weren’t identified in the application. Baptiste said projects need to be more than ideas. The business owners or organization need to be able to bring the project to a reality within two years of being awarded a grant, “ideally sooner,” Baptiste said.
The projects “need to enhance the downtown and the quality of life,” Baptiste said.
The state is pushing the NY Forward and DRI grants “to create an active downtown with a mix of uses,” she said.
Medina already boasts a vibrant downtown, but the committee will be looking to add even more vitality to the area, including housing options on some of the upper levels of the historic buildings.
Some of the $4.5 million will likely go to larger projects, perhaps $1 million or more of the grant. Committee members said they want smaller amounts available too to spread the funds around and help smaller business owners.
The $4.5 million will include up to $300,000 in a small grant fund where businesses can seek funds to help with painting, awnings, signs, window repair, roof work and other smaller projects.
Mayor Sidari said renovating the upper floors, including putting in elevators, will be much more costly and will take bigger chunks of the grant.
The committee will decide how much of a match will be needed for the projects, whether it’s a 50/50 split or more or less of a share from the property owner.
Mayor Mike Sidari gets a display ready that shows Medina’s winning application for the $4.5 million in funding. Projects identified in the application still need to be submitted and go through the review process. Those projects won’t necessarily be funded as part of a more stringent review or may be funded at a different amount that was listed in the application from last year. Steve Mowers (left) is the CRFS president in Albion and a member of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. He is co-chairman with Sidari of Medina’s local planning committee for the NY Forward grant.
Medina’s winning application sought the grant for the following:
Small Project Grant Fund at $500,000 on Main Street and West Avenue to support façade improvements to commercial and mixed-use properties in downtown Medina that benefit both the businesses occupying those buildings and the community as a whole. “Improvements to the street-facing exteriors of the buildings in need are meant to preserve the unique small-town charm in our community while spurring economic growth,” the application stated.
Renovation and activation of upper stories for $400,000 on Main Street and West Avenue. These funds would boost use of the upper floors in the downtown which are currently often vacant and underutilized. Funds would help with structural, electrical, plumbing and HVAC work as well as sprinklers and new windows.
Wayfinding signage throughout the downtown at $100,000 to direct people to the Erie Caal and other attractions and sites. Potential signage types for downtown may include gateway signs, directional signs (vehicular and pedestrian), kiosks and interpretive signs, identification signs (destinations and parking areas) and light pole banners.
Municipal parking lot upgrades at Canal Basin and the lot behind Main and East Center streets for $300,000. The latter larger lot needs paving, directional signs, green space and trees to provide shade, safe pedestrian connections and additional lighting.
State Street Park with $300,000 in improvements including a small ice rink, upgraded playground equipment, bicycle amenities, seating benches and additional lighting.
Mustang City, an adaptive reuse of the old high school on Catherine Street, at $3 million in grant request. This would create about 40 apartments, transforming a 90,000-square foot building and provide much-needed housing options.
Medina Railroad Museum Campus at 530 West Ave. is in the application for $1.5 million towards several upgrades, including a courtyard that would connect the train station to the existing museum building. Site improvements at the museum would include visitor experience enhancements, roof upgrades, parking lot paving, as well as landscape beautification. On the southern side of the tracks, the campus plan calls for the creation of a park-like courtyard space adjacent to the library. This courtyard will include the installation of two, permanent dining cars to be rented out for weddings and other events as well as an enclosed pole barn building to store and repair cars.
None of the projects identified in the application are final for Medina’s submission to the state for funding. The dollar amounts in the application also exceed the $4.5 million in the NY Forward grant.
Baptiste, the planner working with Medina, urged the committee to top the $4.5 million with the proposal to the state. Officials with the state will narrow the numbers on some of the proposals to get to $4.5 million.
Some of the plans may also have changed in the application that was submitted in October.
The owners of those projects, if they still want a chance at the NY Forward grant monies, will need to submit the projects for review by the committee. Other projects that weren’t in the initial application also can be proposed for consideration by the committee.
The target area for the NY Forward grant is in the downtown area from Ann Street to State Street and also includes much of the waterfront.
There will be an open call for projects next month. A web site will soon go live at www.MedinaNYF.com and that will include the 12-page application to submit a project for consideration. A hard copy of the application also will be available at the village office.
The committee expects projects can be submitted beginning June 10 with a cutoff on July 10.
There will be a public information session at 7 p.m. on June 13 to walk prospective application through the process of applying for funds and to answer their questions.
Applicants will need to identify the project, state where it is located, who is sponsor if a municipality or organization, explain how will it be financed and offer a timeline for completion.
“We are looking for projects that aren’t just ideas but have financing behind them,” Baptiste said.
Projects for the grant funding should be in the target area but the committee could make an exception, especially if a site is contiguous to the area and has “catalytic” potential to spur other investment.
The committee will next meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on June 27 at the Medina Central School board room. The first public workshop with community input will follow that day from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The committee members participated in a visioning exercise on Wednesday evening. They were asked, in one word, to describe downtown Medina’s greatest asset.
Responses included the canal, waterfront, shops, architecture, people, businesses, downtown, historic buildings, history and support.
Lauren Backlas, a committee member, said she is impressed how the community turns out in big numbers for local festivals, events and when new businesses open. She sees that as a big strength of the downtown.
The group was asked the greatest challenge facing downtown Medina today. Money was listed several times. People also said parking, apathy, transportation, negativity, space, competition, modernization, gateways and space (not enough first floor spots available).
Chris Busch said more businesses would like to be in downtown Medina but there is a very high occupancy rate.
Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, said the gateways leading to the downtown need to be improved.
“No matter what gateway you’re coming through it is not inviting and does not speak to what Main Street is about,” she said. “I don’t think we’re paying enough attention to the gateways.”
The group also was asked how it would like to describe downtown in five years. Their responses included destination, complex, wonderful, vibrant, amazing, historic, balanced, perfect and thriving.
“I’d like to see Medina be the western gateway to the Finger Lakes region on the canal,” Mayor Sidari said.
Village Trustee Tim Elliott said the village needs to balance the historic charm with modern features and expectations. He noted the push from the village to install fast-charging stations for electric vehicles.
Baptiste said she looks forward to ongoing discussions about Medina and its future.
“Is everyone excited?” she asked at the end of the meeting. “It will be a lot of work over the next six months but it will also be a lot of fun.”
