Owego, N.Y. – A $1.3 million project, recently developed and completed under the Empire State Development Restore New York Round V and Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) programs, has redone the full interior and exterior of two once-vacant mixed-use buildings at 167-169 and 171 Main St. in Owego’s downtown central business district.
Before (left) and after photos of the two renovated buildings on Main Street in Owego
The rehabilitation of the buildings on Main Street, across from the Tioga County Courthouse, included the build-out of two new commercial spaces on the first floor, and 10 residential units on the second and third floors of the buildings, in addition to making façade improvements that maintain both the historical integrity and character of the village’s downtown commercial district. TEAM Tioga, the Village of Owego and local property owners, Alan and Kirsten Briggs and George and Diane Awad, recently announced the completion of the Owego Main Street Rehabilitation project.
On Tuesday, November 9, the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce and TEAM TIOGA will host a Ribbon Cutting to commemorate local property owners Alan and Kirsten Briggs and George and Diane Awad for the completion of the Owego Main Street Rehabilitation project.
Owego Mayor Michael Baratta, noted: “These buildings are located in a highly visible area of the Village, and are one of the first impressions that visitors and residents have of downtown Owego. The Village is incredibly pleased with this investment in the heart of our downtown, and we look forward to our continued partnership with Team Tioga and New York State in the revitalization of our historic downtown through the DRI program.”
Brittany Woodburn, Deputy Director of Tioga County Economic Development and Planning, noted: “Both the Restore NY and DRI programs have had a truly meaningful impact in Tioga County and the Village of Owego. The rehabilitation of these buildings has not only helped strengthen the Village’s vibrant main street community, but it has also spurred additional economic investment through the attraction of new businesses, visitors and residents.”
Jon Ward, Vice President and Commercial Services Officer with Tioga State Bank, added: “As a local community banker, I have the unique opportunity to participate in projects like these that not only improve a community, but the community that I live and work in. I am honored to see, firsthand, the difference Tioga State Bank can make in our neighborhoods.”
The Restore New York Communities Initiative and DRI programs provide municipalities with financial assistance to aid communities in their efforts to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. Thanks to a nearly $1M investment by the New York State Department of State and Empire State Development through these programs, the local property owners are happy to report that the transformation of this particular block of Main Street in Owego has been achieved.
Alan Briggs, property owner at 167-169 Main St. stated: “The costs associated with historic redevelopment, often make the renovation of historic structures infeasible. The Restore New York and DRI funds in partnership with local lender, Tioga State Bank, were crucial in allowing us to complete the full scope of this project.”
George Awad, property owner at 171 Main St. added: “We are greatly appreciative to New York State, Tioga County, the Village of Owego and Tioga State Bank for all of their assistance with these projects. Without the efforts of all, we would not have been able to make transforming these historic buildings a reality.”
Before (left) and after photos of the two renovated buildings on Main Street in Owego
