Press Release
Date: 09/25/2006
Contact: Dave Weissbard, Community Relations Specialist
Phone: 315-386-3576 x34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Civic Leaders Celebrate Opening
An enthusiastic collection of civic leaders gathered in Potsdam on Friday (9/22/06) to celebrate the collaborative effort which rescued the historic building at 55-57 Market Street in Potsdam. A 1998 fire had left only the exterior shell of the building useable.
New York State Assembly member Darel Aubertine praised the community effort, led by the St. Lawrence County Housing Council, which accomplished something that seemed impossible in the days following the fire. Dick Maginn, President of Heritage Homes, presented the keys to the building to Housing Council Executive Director Chris Rediehs. Attendees were delighted by the presence of Paul Stevenson, Potsdam´s former Director of Planning, who is now on the staff of the US Embassy in Kampala, Uganda. Mr. Stevenson´s determination to keep the Market Street shopping district vital played a significant role in the creation of theproject.
The renovation was made possible by a package of more than $2 million in funding put together by the Housing Council from diverse sources including: the Governor´s Office for Small Cities, the National Grid, New York State Housing Trust Fund, NeighborWorks America, Housing Council funds, and $1,496,000 in private investment from the National Development Council.
Crawford and Stearns architects designed and Tisdel Associates engineered the two-store, seven-apartment interior which was constructed by Heritage Homes.One of the stores has already been rented, as have two of the apartments. The apartments have income restrictions for residents.
As a chartered member of NeighborWorks America, the St. Lawrence County Housing Council, Inc., a non-profit organization is certified to meet a high standard of fiscal integrity and service performance to assist local residents in developing leadership, improving their neighborhoods, and securing decent, affordable housing.