Community centers across NYS awarded state-grant funding for projects

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The Towns of Granby, Volney, and Herkimer; Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc.; Catholic Charities of Onondaga County; and the YMCA of Broome County are among the organizations recently awarded state grants for various projects. Thirty awards totaling $100 million are from the Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS) capital grant program, […]

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Thirty awards totaling $100 million are from the Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS) capital grant program, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Dec. 5. The funding is part of the current New York State budget.

Awards range from $260,000 to $15 million and will support design, construction, renovation, and land acquisition for community centers. The state selected projects based on demonstrated need, community impact, and viability, with priority given to underserved communities and facilities offering affordable services like childcare, eldercare, and mental-health counseling.

The NY BRICKS grants will pay for projects in 22 counties across New York, “reflecting the statewide reach and geographic diversity of the program,” Hochul’s office said.

“Today, we’re delivering on our commitment to build stronger, healthier communities in every corner of New York State,” Hochul contended. “NY BRICKS grants will create affordable and accessible spaces where kids can play, families can connect, and seniors can stay active and engaged. I’m proud to see this funding reach 30 communities, and I look forward to seeing these centers come to life.”

Regional grant recipients

Central New York

Catholic Charities of Onondaga County will use $1.35 million to support renovations at the community center located at 500 Seymour St. in Syracuse.

The Town of Granby was awarded $1 million to support renovations at the community center located at 812 County Route 8 in Fulton.

The Town of Volney will use a $4.67 million award to support construction of a new community center located at 1445 County Route 6 in Fulton.

Mohawk Valley

The Town of Herkimer will use a grant of $3.61 million to support construction of a new community center located at 160 Pine Grove Road in Herkimer.

The Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Council of Hamilton, Fulton & Montgomery Counties was awarded $1.52 million to support construction of a new community center located at 303-305 East Main St. in Amsterdam.

Southern Tier

Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. was awarded $1.32 million to support construction of a new community center located at 402 W. Court St. in Ithaca.

YMCA of Broome County will use a $1.41 million grant to support renovations at the community center located at 740 Main St. in Johnson City.

Economic Opportunity Program Inc. of Chemung County was awarded a $7.51 million grant to support addition and renovation work at the community center located at 350 E. Fifth St. in Elmira.

North Country

United Helpers Care, Inc. will use a nearly $10 million award to support construction of a new community center located at 8101 State Highway 68 in Ogdensburg.

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Point Place Casino in Bridgeport formally adds new hotel, restaurant, event space

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SULLIVAN — Point Place Casino has officially added a 99-room hotel, a farm-to-fork restaurant The Forest Grill, Birch Trading Co., and a group event space to the property in the Bridgeport area of the town of Sullivan in Madison County. The Point Place Casino Hotel, which is part of the $50 million investment, is “designed

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The Point Place Casino Hotel, which is part of the $50 million investment, is “designed to be a gathering place for the Bridgeport community and to support regional tourism,” the Oneida Indian Nation said in its announcement. The Nation formally opened the expansion during an event on Nov. 17.

New offerings from the expansion include a double-in-size casino floor with more than 900 slot machines; a reimagined Fireside Lounge; an updated Perfect Pour Café; The Evergreen, which is described as a 1,500-square-foot event space; and expanded parking capacity.

The formal-opening event brought together Oneida Indian Nation leadership, elected officials, labor partners, business leaders, and community representatives to commemorate the opening. The gathering included the unveiling of an updated Point Place Casino Hotel logo over the original log used for a ceremonial log cutting to mark the property’s grand opening in 2018.

Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation representative and CEO of Turning Stone Enterprises, on Nov. 17 spoke to the gathering at Point Place Casino in the Bridgeport area of the Madison County town of Sullivan. PHOTO CREDIT: POINT PLACE CASINO

“This expansion is the largest reinvestment we have made in Point Place, adding new experiences and amenities to the property, while keeping in place everything that has made it so beloved by our guests and the community,” Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation representative and CEO of Turning Stone Enterprises, said. “We are incredibly proud of our team and the support this Point Place Casino Hotel has received from the community — it is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together and invest in our future.”

“This hotel is not just stone, glass and timber,” Jim Cunningham, chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors, said in the announcement. “It is a vision made real, ready to lift this region into a new era of growth and opportunity. Jobs created here are not merely positions to be filled; they are lifelines for families.”

Hayner Hoyt Corporation of Syracuse completed the original Point Place Casino construction nearly eight years ago, and says it has returned five times to expand it, including the latest expansion.

“This property has not stopped growing since it opened in 2018… and it’s been remarkable to see how much excitement this facility has brought to the area,” Hayner Hoyt President Jeremy Thurston said in the announcement. “The Oneida Indian Nation has been so important to the prosperity of our region, and we are just one of the many businesses that have been impacted and fortunate enough to benefit from that partnership.”

New Watertown International Airport terminal opens

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HOUNSFIELD — Construction crews have completed their work on the new terminal at the Watertown International Airport. The 25,000-square-foot terminal was built as part of an ongoing redevelopment of the airport. It includes a lobby, upgraded ticketing and baggage-claim areas, a new passenger jet bridge, and other amenities, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul said

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HOUNSFIELD — Construction crews have completed their work on the new terminal at the Watertown International Airport.

The 25,000-square-foot terminal was built as part of an ongoing redevelopment of the airport. It includes a lobby, upgraded ticketing and baggage-claim areas, a new passenger jet bridge, and other amenities, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul said in its Nov. 14 announcement.

The project is viewed as one that will “boost tourism, foster increased economic activity and create a seamless travel experience for residents and visitors,” the governor’s office said. The airport redevelopment was supported by a $28 million award from the governor’s Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization competition.

The airport serves as a gateway for destinations that include the Thousand Islands and Fort Drum.

Watertown International Airport was one of nine Upstate airports awarded a total of $230 million in the latest round of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization competition funding that Hochul announced in the fall of 2022. The awards are intended to “promote, revitalize, and accelerate” investments in Upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century.

“By investing in airports, we are putting Upstate communities on the runway toward economic prosperity and better quality of life,” the governor contended. “This new terminal at the Watertown International Airport gives the North Country the first-class travel hub it deserves and will create a welcoming environment for passengers traveling through its spacious confines, including the many soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Drum who frequently use this airport.”

The new terminal was constructed next to the airport’s obsolete original terminal, which was built in 1947 and lacked proper amenities, including a passenger jet bridge and adequate waiting areas. Passengers had to board and deplane directly on the tarmac, often braving snow and freezing temperatures, per Hochul’s office.

New features include a lobby, modern ticketing and baggage claim areas, expanded passenger waiting areas, a dedicated car rental counter, and — for the first time — a passenger jet bridge connecting directly to aircraft.

Starting this winter, crews will begin the work to reimagine the original terminal to include a new restaurant, offices, and classroom/event spaces, with a connector joining the two buildings. The revitalization project is expected to cost approximately $33 million and be completed by spring 2026.

Established in 1928, and located in the town of Hounsfield, Watertown International Airport is owned by Jefferson County and handles more than 23,000 enplanements per year. The governor’s office cited a recent report that indicates the airport helps generate more than $29.4 million in annual economic activity.

BelGioioso Cheese to expand operations near Elmira, Capital Region

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CAMPBELL — A Green Bay, Wisconsin–based cheesemaker plans to spend more than $23 million at its facilities in Campbell in Steuben County and in Glenville in Schenectady County. BelGioioso Cheese, Inc. will upgrade and expand operations, committing to creating at least 30 new jobs between the two sites, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced

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CAMPBELL — A Green Bay, Wisconsin–based cheesemaker plans to spend more than $23 million at its facilities in Campbell in Steuben County and in Glenville in Schenectady County.

BelGioioso Cheese, Inc. will upgrade and expand operations, committing to creating at least 30 new jobs between the two sites, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Nov. 20.

In addition to the direct job-creation goals, the expansion will use an additional 100 million pounds of milk from New York State’s dairy farmers. Empire State Development has agreed to support the project with up to $1.5 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs program tax credits, Hochul’s office said.

In 2021, BelGioioso Cheese purchased the Polly-O brand and its plant in Campbell, northwest of Elmira. The Campbell facility was constructed in 1938 and as part of this project is undergoing upgrades to its existing infrastructure, including the addition of product lines to allow continued growth.

The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency is also providing assistance for the project. Now underway, the upgrades at both facilities are expected to be completed by late 2027.

“The Polly-O brand has a long and meaningful history in New York, and the Auricchio family has been dedicated to traditional cheesemaking for generations. The quality of milk produced in New York and the strong support from State and local partners make it possible for us to continue growing our operations here,” Timothy Cronin, general manager of Polly-O, said in the state’s announcement. “We look forward to expanding our facilities, adding jobs, and strengthening our long-standing relationships with New York dairy farmers so we can honor both the BelGioioso and Polly-O cheesemaking traditions for generations to come.”

Founded in 1979, BelGioioso Cheese operates 11 plants that make more than 30 varieties of Italian cheeses.

BelGioioso brands took home seven medals at the dairy competition held at the 2025 State Fair, Hochul’s office noted. They included three first place gold medals for Polly-O low moisture whole milk string cheese; Polly-O New York style impastata; and Cappiello natural hickory smoked fresh mozzarella.

Work starts on redevelopment of former school in Eastwood

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SYRACUSE — Crews have begun work on the redevelopment of the former William Howard Taft School, located in the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse. Skinner Properties, located at 2649 James St. in Syracuse, is handling the effort. The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) on Nov. 12 announced a $4.5 million construction loan for Skinner Properties as it

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SYRACUSE — Crews have begun work on the redevelopment of the former William Howard Taft School, located in the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse.

Skinner Properties, located at 2649 James St. in Syracuse, is handling the effort. The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) on Nov. 12 announced a $4.5 million construction loan for Skinner Properties as it pursues the project.

When completed, the more-than-century old, three-story building will become a 28-unit multifamily rental property offering a mix of six one-bedroom and 22 two-bedroom apartments.

Built in 1907 and closed in 1964, the Taft School has been an Eastwood fixture for generations, CPC said. In 2023, Skinner Properties purchased the building from American Legion Post 1276, which had occupied the property since the 1970s.

“We’re proud to support the transformation of the former William Howard Taft School into quality housing for the Eastwood community,” Jaime Tuozzolo, SVP and regional director of the CPC, said in the announcement. “This project is a great example of how thoughtful development projects can breathe new life into historic buildings while addressing the need to grow our housing stock and revitalize our community. We thank Skinner Properties, the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, and all of our partners for their collaboration and commitment to this important work.”

CPC will also provide a commitment for permanent financing in addition to its construction loan. The project also received a $140,000 grant from the Onondaga County Housing Initiative Program (O-CHIP). O-CHIP was created to incentivize private-sector investment in housing development across Onondaga County to help close funding gaps and stimulate new construction of market-rate, senior, affordable, and mixed-income housing.

“This building has been part of the Eastwood neighborhood for over a century, and we’re excited to give it a new purpose that meets the needs of today’s residents,” Stephen Skinner, owner of Skinner Properties, said. “We’re grateful for CPC’s support and for the County’s investment through O-CHIP, which helps make this redevelopment possible.”

Craig Polhamus, of Fayetteville, is serving as the project architect. GMB Consulting Engineer, PC, of Camillus, is the project engineer.

Based in New York City, CPC is a nonprofit, multifamily finance company that was founded in 1974 to provide financial and technical resources to stabilize and revitalize communities. CPC has a Central New York office at 315 N. Clinton St. in Syracuse.

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Work continues on Dana Lyon Apartments project in Bath

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BATH — Pike Construction Services says its crews are making major headway in renovating and transforming the former Dana Lyon Elementary School building in the village of Bath (Steuben County) into the Dana Lyon Apartments. It’s a nearly 50-unit, mixed-use development that will include affordable and supportive housing. In a Dec. 3 Facebook post, titled

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It’s a nearly 50-unit, mixed-use development that will include affordable and supportive housing.

In a Dec. 3 Facebook post, titled “Exciting progress at the Dana Lyon Apartments,” the Rochester–based construction company said, “This former school is well on its way to becoming beautiful new homes. Sidewalks and binder are in place for winter, most windows are installed, and exterior masonry restoration is nearly done. Playground features and permanent fencing are also wrapping up before the cold hits.”

Pike continued, “Inside, finishes are moving fast — first apartments are almost ready for final walkthroughs! Still on track for a Summer 2026 opening.”

Project background

In November 2024, the office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced it had awarded Providence Housing Development Corporation $1.9 million to develop eight units of permanent supportive housing in Bath for individuals with serious mental illness or substance-use disorder who have experienced homelessness.

Part of a larger project, the Dana Lyon Apartments involves the preservation and adaptive reuse of the elementary school building. It will offer on-site laundry facilities, service office space, a management office, exercise room, community room, playground and outdoor greenspace, per the announcement. The completed project will also feature commercial space that will be leased for the operation of a community arts center. Support services will be provided by Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston on site and through other community organizations via linkage agreements, the governor’s office said.

Pike Construction Services offers pre-construction, construction, design-build, self-perform, development, and facility services, according to its website. The firm has additional offices in Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Buffalo, as well as Orlando, Florida, according to its website.

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