Christopher Community Inc. Announces Delay on Homer Ave. Project – Cites Environmental Issues From Fuel Spill

Cortland Mayor Scott Steve provided an update on a future redevelopment project within the City of Cortland during Tuesday’s Common Council meeting. Mayor Steve says Christopher Community Inc. has notified the city that they will be delaying their application for funding for the Bridgeview Commons project due to unforeseen environmental issues.

Those unforeseen environmental issues originate from an abandoned fuel tank underneath the property. During original remediation on the property, two abandoned fuel tanks were properly removed with the supervision of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). However, a third tank was discovered with what is believed to have had a leak or an unreported spill sometime in the past.

Due to the possibility of contamination, the property owner, the YMCA, was notified and subsequently notified the DEC. Work is now being done to evaluate the situation and potential impact.

The delay in submitting the application though is a silver lining for two other affordable housing projects within the county who are seeking the same funding through the Homes and Community Renewal grants issued by New York State. Those are the Cortland Housing Assistance Council for an affordable senior housing project on River Street in Cortland and Reagan Development for a mixed-use development next to CountryMax in Cortlandville.

Mayor Steve added Christopher Community Inc. is still invested in the project for the City of Cortland and the non-profit organization plans to submit their application now in the next round, summer 2025.