BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Members of the public will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on a planned streetscape and riverwalk project as part of the village of Massena's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. 

The project is one of eight approved as part of the $10 million grant, which the village received in December 2021. 

The public presentation and open house is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on July 8 in the Massena Town Hall. 

“These projects represent a tremendous opportunity to reshape our downtown into a destination that Massena residents can be proud of for generations to come. We encourage everyone to come out on July 8 and make their voices heard. This is your downtown, and your feedback will directly shape what it becomes,” Mayor Greg Paquin said recently.

Citizens can view draft designs for the two projects, which village officials say will enhance the downtown corridor and tie the business district into the planned river walk. 

As part of the event, a formal presentation will begin the evening, followed by an open house for residents and local stakeholders alike. 

The project will be overseen by LaBella Associates, an engineering and architecture firm with an office in Potsdam. 

For those who are unable to attend in person, feedback can be submitted online by visiting https://massena.us/166/Village-of-Massena. 

The streetscape project will utilize $2,984,000 of the $10 million award and will include enhanced street lighting, sidewalks, new trees, pedestrian connections and improved cross walks, as well as multiple benches and signage. 

Officials said $1.715 million will be used for the riverwalk project, which will be along the Grasse River and include a kayak launch. That project will be connected to the downtown business corridor via the former Massena School of Business facade project, which officials said is nearing completion after multiple delays. 

For more information about the various DRI projects, visit https://massena.us/166/Village-ofMassena.