ALFRED, NY – A community forum has been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 27, to discuss the next steps in planning for the $2.5 million state Smart Growth Community Fund grant awarded to the Village of Alfred last month.
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. in the Village Hall Theater. Village officials and organizers are soliciting feedback on projects that could be supported by the state grant. In October, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that Alfred is one of four Western New York municipalities sharing $10 million in awards from Smart Growth Community Fund, which supports downtown redevelopment initiatives.
Potential projects in Alfred include repairing or restoring terra cotta elements and helping business make Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades. The village will also be soliciting additional projects – affecting either economic development or streetscape improvements – that are ready for implementation within the next two years, which can be presented to the Empire State Development Corporation. They include creation of an “Advanced Ceramic Manufacturing Center” in the village, and pedestrian improvements along Route 244 that would improve the safety and aesthetic appearance of the main corridor that connects with Town and Village of Alfred.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Smart Growth award for Alfred, including Alfred University faculty, staff, or students, or those wishing to participate in one or more of these project areas, is encouraged to attend the Nov. 27 community forum.
