Press Release
Date: 09/14/2006
Contact: Dave Weissbard, Community Relations Specialist
Phone: 315-386-3576 x34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RENOVATION CELEBRATION
The St. Lawrence County Housing Council has announced a ribbon cutting at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 22nd, to celebrate the completion of the renovation of 55-57 Market Street in Potsdam. The property, which had been a blight on the community since a 1998 fire, includes two storefronts and seven deluxe apartments which will be rented to people with modest incomes.
The $2 million project was developed by the St. Lawrence County Housing Council in co-operation with The Village of Potsdam, The State of New York, Affordable Housing Consultants, NeighborWorks America, and the National Development Council. Architectural and engineering services were provided by Crawford and Stearns, and Heritage Homes was the contractor.
The completion of the 55-57 Market Street Redevelopment Project concludes the process of revitalization following the disastrous 1998 fire that left a block of Potsdam´s Market Street historic district in ruins. It is the second phase of a project that began when the adjacent property, 51-53 Market Street was rehabilitated in 2003.
Fred Hanss, former Executive Director of the Housing Council and now Potsdam´s Director of Planning and Development, will preside at the event in which he will be joined by: State Senator Raymond Meier; Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine; Potsdam Mayor Ron Tischler; and Andrew McAdoo, President of the Market Street Redevelopment Corporation. Dick Maginn of Heritage Homes will present the keys to the property to Chris Rediehs, Executive Director, and Bill Cuthbert, President of the Housing Council. Other prominent North Country leaders have been invited to attend.
The St. Lawrence County Housing Council is a chartered member of NeighborWorks®, a nationwide network of 240 trained and certified community development organizations at work in more than 4,000 communities across America. Working in partnership with others, NeighborWorks® organizations are leaders in strengthening communities and creating affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. Since its incorporation in 1981, the St. Lawrence County Housing Council has brought over $35.5 million in public and private funds to bear on the housing and revitalization needs of St. Lawrence County.