Common Council Authorizes Mayor to Apply For NY Main Street Anchor Grant For Former Cortland Standard Building

The City of Cortland Common Council has given Cortland Mayor Scott Steve authorization to apply for grant funding from the New York State Office of Community Renewal through the 2025 New York Main Street Program. The application will apply for $500,000 towards planned renovations of the Former Cortland Standard Building at the corner of Tompkins and Main Street in the City of Cortland.

The grant through the state will require a 25% local match. This match will be paid for by the property owner and not the city. Council member Katy Silliman asked Mayor Steve who now owns the building to which he added the property is still in bankruptcy court with the court making a final decision in the near future on who will gain ownership. However, interest in the building has shown some potential of the redevelopment of upper floors to market-rate apartments, or the conversion of part of the building to the growing popularity of a boutique hotel.

According to NYS Homes and Community Renewal, the funds are intended to help either establish or expand cultural, residential or business anchors that are key to local revitalization efforts through significant renovations. All projects must be considered “shovel ready” by the time the application is submitted to the state.

The Cortland Standard Building has been a staple for Historic Downtown Cortland. The building originally hosted the Cortland Standard until its bankruptcy earlier this year; it has sat vacant since the original closure of the newspaper.