Welcome to the New City of Hornell Website!

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    Planning Office

    City Departments

    Heather Reynolds, City Planner

    hreynolds@cityofhornell.com 

     

    Phone: (607) 324-7421

    Fax: (607) 324-3150


    Planning Board Members:


    Robert Peisher

    Martha Marino

    William Norton

    Melissa Tingley

    Pam Markel

    Eileen Lehman

    Pamela Aini


    The Planning Board meets the third Tuesday of each month. Requests for planning review should be submitted to the City Planner by the first Friday of the month to be considered that month.



    "That thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this city not only not less, but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us."


    -Athenian Oath


    DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE (DRI)

    In October 2019, the City of Hornell was selected as the Southern Tier recipient of the Round IV $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant. The DRI is a statewide initiative that provides funding for transformative projects designed to enhance local economies and serve as catalysts for additional investment. Recent public and private investment, local planning efforts, and capital infrastructure projects have enhanced downtown Hornell’s commercial center, providing a strong foundation for investment.


    Hornell DRI Vision Statement:

    Downtown Hornell serves as the regional center of activity in the Southern Tier. It is a full service hub that leverages its compact, walkable design to attract a range of businesses and residents by offering diverse housing options, a fully utilized historic building stock, educational and employment opportunities and a range of community and social amenities. The close-knit community benefits from a unique blend of cultural, artistic and recreational spaces designed to provide a welcoming and attractive environment. 

    Streetscape and Alleyway Improvement Projects:

    The streetscape and alleyway improvement projects will include sidewalk replacements, upgraded benches, tree replacements, enhanced accessibility, and add electrical components, bringing a more modern functionality and appearance, while keeping the quaint and hometown feel residents have enjoyed for years. The project scope extends across key corridors, encompassing improvements along Main Street, spanning from Center Street to Seneca Street, as well as along Broadway. Alleyway improvements to Pave Alley are also planned in the upgrade. Additionally, the sidewalk areas between Seneca St. and Genesee St., and between Seneca St. and Maple City Drive have been added to the project.


    Work began on February 28, 2024 and is slated for completion before the end of the calendar year. In order minimize disruptions to businesses and residents, work will occur in four phases, with construction completion anticipated in each phase before proceeding to the next. Please see the project boards below for timeline details and expectations of the completed project. Full-size boards can also be viewed in the City Hall lobby during business hours.

    Stay up to date on what's happening with the Streetscape and Alleyway Projects:

    2024 New York State Main Street Grant Program – Basic Information

    The application will be made by the City of Hornell as the “Local Program Administrator” through the NYS Consolidated Funding Application process. – Due July 31st


    If you are interested in participating in this round of funding you need to submit a letter of interest by Monday, July 22nd to: Heather Reynolds, City of Hornell Planning Office PO Box 627, 82 Main Street Hornell, NY 14843


    Your letter of interest must include a description of the project scope and an estimate of the proposed work. 


    Main Street Program Guide: https://hcr.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/05/nyms-program-guide-2024-05.pdf


    NYMS provides funds to stimulate reinvestment in properties located within mixed-use commercial districts located in urban, small-town, and rural areas of New York State. NYMS is a comprehensive grant program that provides funding for local revitalization efforts and technical assistance to help communities build the capacity required to grow their downtown or neighborhood retail district.


    Funding Limits and Matching Funds

    The City of Hornell will not be able to apply for more than $500,000. 


    Individual projects may receive up to $50,000 for commercial space plus an additional $25,000/residential unit up to a total $100,000 maximum.   


    This program is based on reimbursement so you must be able to finance your project upfront. You will be reimbursed 75% of your eligible project costs. Invoices and proof of payment are required to request reimbursement of project delivery expenses.


    Eligible Uses of NYMS Building Renovation Funds

    • Health and Safety Improvements, Fire alarms, sprinklers, fire escape repair, correcting code violations.

    • Accessibility Improvements: Ramps, elevators, widening entryways, automatic doors. • Energy Efficiency Improvements: Insulation, HVAC system upgrades, water-conservation improvements.

    • Façade Restoration: Preservation projects, reopening storefronts, removing solid security gates, signs, awnings, re-pointing brick, and window repair.

    • Residential Improvements: Convert vacant upper stories into apartments, correct code violations, and update existing apartments.

    • Prepare Commercial Spaces for Tenants: Drywall, electrical, plumbing.


    Ineligible Uses of NYMS Building Renovation Funds

    • Acquisition • Construction of new buildings • Full demolition • Capitalizing a revolving loan fund • Improvements to churches, synagogues, and other religious structures • Improvements to municipally-owned buildings used for municipal purposes • Vinyl or aluminum siding, replacement of wood windows with vinyl or aluminum treatments • Work on single-family homes • Non-permanent fixtures, furnishings, appliances, electronics, security systems and business equipment • Site work or ancillary activities including septic systems or laterals, grading, parking lots, sidewalks, landscaping, fences, free-standing signs • General maintenance


    Property Owner (or immediate family member) is Contractor • Projects that involve building owners acting as contractors are not eligible for NYMS reimbursement. • The reasonableness of project costs cannot be clearly established • Not possible to verify that the materials purchased were used properly and constitute an appropriate use of NYMS funds.


    Contact the City of Hornell Planning Office for additional information at (607) 324-7421 or via email: hreynolds@cityofhornell.com


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