State officials on Friday released the specific projects that will receive funding through Canandaigua’s previously announced $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, outlining a downtown redevelopment strategy heavily focused on housing, walkability and public gathering spaces.
The project list includes major investments along South Main Street, new pedestrian-oriented infrastructure downtown and a grant program intended to support smaller-scale business and redevelopment projects.
Among the largest awards is $1.925 million for improvements to Coach Street, where the city plans to create a more pedestrian-friendly east-west connection between Main Street and Bemis Street aimed at strengthening a growing cluster of downtown restaurants and businesses.
Another $1.31 million will go toward redesigning Phoenix Street with pedestrian-focused infrastructure and improvements intended to support outdoor dining and downtown activity.
Several housing-related redevelopment projects also made the final funding list.
The state approved $1.248 million to renovate 100 South Main Street into apartments while restoring the building façade, $791,000 to convert upper floors at 88-92 South Main Street into residential units, and $772,000 to reactivate second-floor housing space at 143 South Main Street.
The projects align with one of the city’s broader downtown goals: increasing the number of people living within the downtown core.
Canandaigua’s increasingly active public gathering spaces also received substantial support.
The state awarded $1.144 million to expand and improve Central on Main, which officials described as one of the city’s fastest-growing public spaces and community gathering areas.
Another $870,000 will fund redevelopment of 97 South Main Street into an arts-focused community hub designed as a space for residents and visitors to “learn, create and connect around art,” according to the project description.
Peacemaker Brewing Company was awarded $389,000 to construct an addition intended to increase year-round capacity for customers and live music events.
The funding package also includes a $600,000 small project grant fund that will support smaller downtown improvements, including façade upgrades, new retail or residential space, business startups and public art.
Canandaigua City Hall will receive $651,000 for preservation work, including masonry repairs and site improvements intended to maintain the historic building as the city’s civic centerpiece.
City officials have tied the downtown redevelopment effort to anticipated regional economic growth connected to semiconductor industry investment across upstate New York.
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