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Massena Looks To Revitalize Downtown With Grant

Story Published: Feb 25, 2013 at 6:36 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 25, 2013 at 7:18 PM EDT

In the 9 years bridal shop owner Sharon MacCue has been in business downtown, she has faced what she describes as an ongoing struggle.

She says she believes in Massena's downtown but, like other Main Street businesses, it has been a challenge getting people to visit downtown.

"Our downtown has to grow more to bring more people and the biggest thing is parking," said MacCue, owner of Precious Memories.

Revitalizing a downtown not only takes time but a commitment, whether it be from the business owners themselves or the community.

With the help of a $250,000 state Main Street matching grant, local officials like Business Development Corporation Executive Director Michael Almasian are hoping to be able to breathe new life into what's been a relatively stagnant downtown.
 
"The time is very ripe to do such things as fixing up the theater, creating a new code and preserving and improving the buildings that we have left," he said.
 
35 business owners in 19 downtown buildings have previously expressed interest in investing in the revitalization effort if grant funds were also available to help.
 
In it's heyday, Massena's downtown was a bustling business center with a movie theater, shops and more. 

Over the past 20 years, there have been thousands of downtowns far worse than Massena to reverse themselves and make themselves as good as they ever were if not better," said Almasian.
 
Downtown business owners and community members are being invited to a March 12 and 13 meeting in the Municipal Building to gather ideas and discuss requirements for the grant funding.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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