Major Redevelopment Proposed at The Homer Ave. Plaza in City of Cortland – Developer Still Working on Funding

During Monday’s City of Cortland Planning Commission plans were officially revealed of the planned redevelopment of the Homer Ave. shopping plaza in the City of Cortland. Currently, the plaza hosts a Dollar General, Cortland ReUse, and the Seven Valleys Health Coalition.

Renderings shown during the meeting call for the demolition of the gas station that has stood vacant for well over 20 years on a separate parcel of land that would be combined to the parcel the plaza is on.

The section of the shopping center to remain shows where Dollar General is currently spaced and where the former P&C Grocery store was located. The cost of the proposed redevelopment is estimated to be approximately $18.8 million dollars.

Work on the redevelopment will include the construction of two three-story buildings; one would be entirely apartments designated as affordable housing for those making between 30-60% the area median income. The second three-story building would host the YWCA’s Aid to Victims of Violence offices on the first floor with apartments on the other two floors. There will be a total of 61 apartments. Between the two buildings will be a community center with a fitness area and internet café inside and a secured playground with key fob access outside.

The redevelopment will have on-site parking for 191 vehicles and is expected to include vehicle recharging stations. The number of spaces is below the requirement per the City of Cortland by about 20 spaces and will require a variance. No impact to current traffic volumes is expected and talks are underway to add a bus stop.

Developing the proposed project will be Christopher Community, Inc. a not-for-profit development and management company based in Syracuse. The company currently owns and operates the Grace Brown House on the neighboring property. Christopher Community says the two properties will remain separate. Passero Engineering Architecture out of Rochester is representing Christopher Community, Inc.

The project is still in the very early stages of development and funding still needs to be secured before demolition and construction may commence. The property is currently owned by the YMCA, who originally had plans to construct a new facility at the plaza; those plans never came to fruition. If Christopher Community Inc. is awarded state funding for the project, they will purchase the property from the YMCA. If funding is awarded, demolition could begin by summer 2025 at the earliest.

In order to apply for funding for the proposed project, approval must be obtained from the Planning Commission; that is expected to take place on September 9th at 5:15pm. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing prior to the vote.