MASSENA -- Village Administrator Monique Chatland is currently working on 14 active grants covering a number of topics, ranging from the Massena Schine Theater restoration to municipal water projects.

Chatland updated board members of the progress on a number of grants during the village board's May 21 meeting.

"The Restore NY grant for the restoration of the Schine Theater was submitted Tuesday, May 14. It's a rolling deadline but we should hear a response by June 30," she said.

The total cost of the project is expected to be $3.2 million, with the Restore NY grant covering $2 million, if successful.

"They are also seeking additional funds from other various sources, so hopefully with this Restore grant, it should take care of the restoration of the whole theater," Chatland said.

Chatland also noted that the village has opened up the third and final round of applications for the Core of the Community grant fund, which comes from the village's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award from Dec. 2021.

Chatland said contribution guidelines have been updated for the final round, with business owners being responsible for a 25% match.  

Maximum grant awards will be $100,000.

Chatland said the first two rounds committed approximately $287,000 for four projects

Previous funding was awarded for the restoration of the marquee and various enhancements at the Schine Theater, new signage and a kitchen expansion at the Gristmill Brewery as well as equipment purchases for a new coffee shop, opening soon.

Officials previously said the fund is a testament "to the Village's continuous commitment to economic development and architectural heritage."

Grant funds can be used for large interior or exterior rehabilitation projects, small projects such as business signage and awnings, or business equipment.

Applications will be accepted through July 15.

Chatland also touched on the Massena School of Business project that village officials are working on with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency.

"We're meeting with the IDA consultants next Friday to go over the School of Business.

Chatland previously detailed the project, saying the facade of the building will be saved and preserved, creating a walkway into a courtyard and transition space to a planned riverwalk.

"The construction submissions received a Federal Thriving Communities program grant," she said.

The funds will be used by the New York State Department of Transportation to assess the village and town, along with other neighboring communities, to assist with planning and technical assistance related to transportation infrastructure, she said.

"That is for elements like the Complete Streets program, you know, for bike lanes and that sort of thing," she said.

Bids for the asbestos abatement for the New York Main Street grant for the former JJ Newberry building are also coming to a close, she said.

Chatland said the environmental testing at the site is all done, with asbestos abatement next on the list.

Contracts for the downtown streetscape project and riverwalk were also submitted on April 19.

"We're waiting for the fully executed copy to come back from New York State," she said.

One other grant also underwent budget modifications, delaying implementation briefly, she said.

Overall, Chatland said grant writing and administration is a central focus of her office.

"I'm very busy with grants. Although not all of it is able to be seen, there's a lot of background work that goes into it. With the environmental testing, abatement and various, stringent criteria and requirements that need to be met through various agencies that we receive funding through, it's a lot," she said.