The Town of Ticonderoga has been awarded a $10 million grant to revitalize its downtown, New York Secretary of State, Robert J. Rodriguez announced on January 23.
According to a press release from New York State, Ticonderoga is one of ten communities across New York State to be awarded a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Grant this year.
“Ticonderoga seeks to invest in new tourist sites and amenities, public parks, historic façade restoration, expansion of main street businesses, affordable housing options and enhanced streetscape and gateway opportunities to attract businesses, tourists and residents to downtown,” the press release stated.
Local economic development officials say these investments “will transform Ticonderoga into a hub for the Adirondacks and Champlain Valley.”
“People can see that the dramatic revitalization of downtown Ticonderoga has already begun,” said Donna Wotton, executive director of Ti-Alliance, the local economic development corporation.
As evidence, Wotton cites the renovation of the Burleigh House into a multi-purpose, office and residential building; the expansion of the Burleigh Luncheonette; the opening of new businesses such as The Fox and Fern and The Adirondack Trading Post; and the recent addition of a new brew pub, Ledge Hill Brewery.
Wotton said Ti-Alliance’s first project in 2023 will be the complete renovation of a former Newberry’s department store on Montcalm Street.
A new restaurant, “Paper and Pencil,” is set to open within walking distance of Montcalm Street and three, historically and architecturally significant buildings are slated for renovation.
“Downtown Ticonderoga has been working to revitalize for more than a decade, but in the last few years a coordinated effort by the citizens and economic development groups has paid off, especially through the leadership of Ticonderoga Supervisor Mark Wright,” said Wotton.
Matt Courtright, president and CEO of the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, said public support for Main Street businesses played a crucial role in securing the state’s $10 million grant.
“Even before COVID threatened the survival of so many local businesses, we were pushing the community to ‘think local’ and to support its neighbors and friends. And the community responded,” said Courtright.
According to Wotton, a committee of local residents spent nine months crafting an application for the $10 million grant that reflected the community’s vision of a renewed Ticonderoga.
“We can’t wait to begin reviving the downtown that the residents of Ticonderoga, the surrounding towns, and the visitors to our area deserve. We’re ready to get to work,” said Wotton.
“Things are really headed in the right direction,” said Courtright.
According to the state’s press release, a local planning committee, comprising municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners, will develop a Strategic Investment Plan that will guide the deployment of the town’s new funds.
“The Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities and identify the economic development, transportation, housing and community projects that align with the community’s vision for downtown revitalization,” the state’s press release said.
Ticonderoga’s representative in the New York State Assembly, Matt Simpson, said, “It is a very special moment to see a North Country town receive such a generous grant from the state, and is long overdue. I cannot wait to see the improvements they will make and how this will continue to bring more opportunities to nearby communities.”