Lyons scores $3 million federal grant for revitalization efforts

LYONS — The money keeps rolling in for this Wayne County town as it looks to revitalize its downtown and neighborhoods.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York announced that Lyons is set to receive nearly $3 million out of $7.5 million awarded to six upstate New York projects through the Northern Border Regional Commission, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law.

Town Supervisor Jim Brady said 56 communities applied for the funding. He said it was a collaborative effort of the town, MRB Group, and the Wayne County Land Bank.

Brady said not only will the funding be used in part for construction of road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements related to a project to revitalize the lower Canal Street/Route 14 area of Lyons, it will go toward housing rehabilitation and other improvements.

At the center of Lyons revitalization plans is a $15 million project to raze four dilapidated buildings and replace them with new structures that will host a mix of housing and commercial space. The yet-to-be-chosen developer will need to pay for about half of the project cost, Brady noted.

By STEVE BUCHIERE sbuchiere@fltimes.com, Jul 1, 2024