BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — With the deadline looming on Sept. 15, village officials are working diligently to complete the Downtown Revitalization Initiative application.

“Massena’s focus on Downtown Revitalization goes well beyond the DRI process. For several years now the Village has been working diligently toward renewing the downtown core to transform it back into a vibrant, vital, and resilient part of our community,” Village administrator Monique Chatland said.

Village officials also plan to apply for Core of the Community funding.

The funding would allow the village to award local businesses grant funding in the coming months.

The downtown area being focused on for the application is encompassed within the area bordered by East Orvis St., the majority of Main St., Parker Ave., and most of West Orvis.

An additional point of focus will be ensuring walkability and accessibility, something that the village has long sought to enhance.

“We believe that a vibrant downtown is one that is lively, full of vigor and activity. Downtown should be filled with people, businesses, entertainment, recreation and retailers. The Massena DRI Local Planning Committee also believes the vibrancy of downtown is dependent on its beauty, walkability, and accessibility and is dedicated to also making those a focus in our application,” Chatland said.

Many local businesses have opened in recent months, key momentum village officials hope to highlight in their application to the state.

Village officials view this opportunity as a chance to not only revitalize the downtown but to also transition to a newer, modern vision.

“The Village’s short- and long-term planning, including the ideas which will be presented in our DRI application, continue to focus on a vision of downtown that includes a mix of uses, public/private partnerships, and creating quality spaces for wellness, recreation, and culture/entertainment activities,” said Chatland.