For Immediate Release: 08/20/2015
Contact:
Shane Mahar | shane.mahar@thruway.ny.gov |
CANAL CORPORATION JOINS THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE CITY OF ROME IN ANNOUNCING REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE TERMINAL BUILDING AT BELLAMY HARBOR PARK
As part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Capital for a Day events in the Mohawk Valley, the New York State Canal Corporation, Department of State and the City of Rome announced plans to pursue private investment in the rehabilitated Canal Terminal Building at Bellamy Harbor Park. The building and park are located along the Erie Canal in the City of Rome, adjacent to portions of the city that are being transformed from former industrial brownfield sites to mixed-use neighborhoods.
At the direction of the Governor, the Canal Corporation will work with the city and the Department of State to issue a request for proposals for waterfront and recreation-related businesses to occupy the historic building.
Director of the New York State Canal Corporation Brian U. Stratton said, “The success of the City of Rome and the Mohawk Valley are of great importance to Governor Cuomo and New York State. With the recent opening of the Canalway Trail in Rome and our involvement in this project, we have demonstrated our commitment to this region and will continue to support revitalization efforts through this new phase of economic development.”
Owned by the Canal Corporation and built in 1917 in conjunction with the Barge Canal construction, the historic Terminal Building has long been identified as a vital component of Rome’s waterfront development strategy. To help jump-start this initiative, the Canal Corporation will remove all remaining maintenance equipment from the Terminal Building, paving the way for innovative projects and adaptive reuse.
Director Stratton was joined Wednesday by officials from the Department of State and City of Rome Mayor Joseph Fusco on a tour of the Terminal Building and Bellamy Harbor Park which highlighted multiple successful grant-funded projects throughout the site. These public investments have cleared the way to seek private partners and continue to spur economic development along the canal in Rome.
“The Bellamy Harbor revitalization will continue the transformation of the Rome waterfront and the New York Department of State is happy to be part of this effort,” said New York Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales. “Whether through the recent Brownfield Opportunity Area designation or through Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grants, we have long supported the City of Rome and communities throughout the Mohawk Valley and look forward to working with the Canal Corporation to spur investment in the area.”
As a key part of the revitalization and development of the Rome waterfront, Bellamy Harbor Park and the Terminal Building have received more than $2.1 million in state funding through the Regional Economic Development Council/Consolidated Funding Application process. This combined effort of the Canal Corporation, Department of State and City of Rome is expected to bring development to the 6,400 square-foot Terminal Building in time for the 2016 Erie Canal navigation season.
“We are thrilled to partner, yet again, with New York Canal Corporation and the Department of State to foster development along Rome’s waterfront,” said Mayor Joseph R. Fusco Jr. “We have maintained a tremendous relationship with both state agencies which have led to a number of completed projects including exterior renovations at the Bellamy Park Terminal Building, accessible kayak launch, new boat launch, and navigation center.”
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The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles, the waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, Niagara River and Lake Erie with communities rich in history and culture. For more information about the New York State Canal System, vacation opportunities and events call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov.
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