Village taking look at former Massena School of Business building

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Village officials have taken steps to analyze the former Massena School of Business after an initial inspection showed the building had deteriorated more than officials originally expected.

During a recent village board meeting officials passed a resolution to hire Drew Architecture to complete a building structure analysis. Officials say the building has deteriorated much faster than originally expected.

The structure was part of an approved list of DRI projects, with the expectation that the front of the building would function as a facade that will lead to a riverwalk once work is completed.

The agreement with Drew Architecture will come at a cost of $2,500, according to Mayor Greg Paquin.

“This would be $2,500 to have them take a look at the Massena School of Business building. It’s deteriorating much more rapidly than we feared,” Paquin said.

As part of the DRI, officials hoped to save the historic facade of the former Massena School of Business to “maintain the feel of a complete block” on Main Street.

The facade will need to be stabilized, with the rest of the building being torn down.

A courtyard will be created after the building is razed and the facade is stabilized, leading to the creation of more green space and access to the river walk, officials previously said.

The project was included in the final list of approved projects that state officials signed off on.

Other projects approved by the state include $2,984,000 for downtown street enhancements like new lighting, sidewalks and under bridge lighting, as well as $1,715,000 for the riverwalk project.

A total of $1,663,000 has been allocated for the J.J. Newberry building, which will see the space turned into retail and office space with apartments above and a rooftop deck.

A light manufacturing facility will be established at 37 Water St. thanks to a $605,000 allocation of DRI funding as well.

An additional $600,000 will be set aside for a “CORE of the Community” fund which will allow village officials to help revitalize the downtown while offering technical assistance to local businesses hoping to expand.