State approves $1 million grant for renovations of old Holley High School
This rendering shows how the former Holley High School would look after $17 million in renovations.
HOLLEY – The state is coming through with a $1 million “Restore New York” grant to go towards the renovation of the old Holley High School in Holley, a building that has been vacant for more than two decades.
Home Leasing LLC, a Rochester company, has proposed a $17 million renovation of the former school, to create residential apartments and offices that would be used for the village government. Home Leasing is working along with Edgemere Development, Glasow Simmons Architecture L.L.P. and Marathon Engineering – all Rochester-based firms – on the project.
“We’re definitely optimistic,” said Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty. “It’s tremendously good solid news for this project.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the $1 million for the effort today, one of 71 projects approved for $81 million in funding.
“Downtown communities are vital to keeping our economies thriving and to attracting businesses and families to put down their roots in New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Restore New York Communities Initiative recognizes communities teeming with potential and invests in their transformation and their future, and turns them into neighborhoods New Yorkers are proud to call home.”
Home Leasing proposed prject in Holley would transform the old school into the “Holley Gardens.” That would be a mixed residential/commercial facility to provide seniors with new, safe housing featuring senior focused amenities and updated, accessible office/meeting space for the community, according to the announcement from the governor.
“Traveling across the State, I see the many buildings in communities that have great possibilities to be restored with the charm they once had,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “With this Restore New York funding, we’re committed to ensuring that our localities have the resources they need to pursue new development projects and transform abandoned properties. The Restore New York initiative continues to work with local leaders and stakeholders to unleash the full potential of economic development opportunities across the State.”
The Holley project is part of $11.2 million awarded to ten Finger Lakes municipalities through Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative. Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative was enacted in the FY 2017 State Budget, and Empire State Development was designated to implement the program.
“Public investment in our small towns is inspiring and necessary to turn dilapidated and neglected areas into robust centers of community and commerce,” State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said. “I am pleased to hear that the old Holley High School will become a welcoming living community for our seniors, and I look forward to watching this project transform and progress as we move forward.”
Cities, towns and villages were all eligible to apply for support for projects that include demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned and surplus properties. Projects located in economically distressed communities were emphasized and encouraged.
The other Finger Lakes projects include:
• City of Rochester – $5,000,000 – The rehabilitation of eight vacant privately-owned properties, located in Center City on State Street and East Main Street. The plan includes interior and exterior building restoration and, when completed, approximately 145 new housing units will be created and approximately 64,572 square feet of commercial space will be renovated.
• City of Canandaigua – $1,000,000 – Rehabilitation of the abandoned former Labelon manufacturing facility at 10 Chapin Street into a mixed-use development with 52 residential units.
• Town of Irondequoit – $1,000,000 – The redevelopment of a former mall, the largest vacant property in Monroe County with nearly one million square feet of former retail space, into SkyView on the Ridge, a mixed-use multi-tenant space that will include office space, a community center, fitness facility and shared common area for tenants and customers.
• Village of Warsaw – $1,000,000 – The demolition of a former nursing home on North Main Street. Once the building is demolished, it will be combined with a neighboring parcel to create a two-story hotel.
• Village of Geneseo – $700,000 – The conversion of the former Livingston County Home into a multi-tenant commercial building.
• Village of Penn Yan – $500,000 – The rehabilitation of two buildings: the first will renovate the vacant top two floors of a multi-use building into market rate housing. The second building will be renovated into a mixed-use facility.
• Village of Webster – $500,000 – The rehabilitation of 22-42 East Main Street to create commercial and residential properties along a contiguous stretch of six storefronts.
• Village of Avon – $400,000 – Renovation of the Park Theater into mixed-use facility, including a community theater.
• Village of Newark – $100,000 – The rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the former St. Michael’s Parish Elementary School into 28 affordable apartments for seniors age 62 and over.
A complete list of projects throughout the state can be found by clicking here.
