LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WKBW) — It has been six-and-a-half years since the City of Lockport received $10 million from New York State to revitalize its downtown.
Nine projects received more than $200,000 from the state through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
So, where is that money now? Well, some of those projects just wrapped up.
Historic Palace Theatre: Executive director Christopher Parada tells me the building was restored and upgraded during a $4.2 million project, with $600,000 of those funds coming from the initiative.
"We would not have been able to complete these projects of getting new seats, paint plaster, the orchestra pit, rigging. Basically, everything in this theater, we redid it, and it was all because of [Downtown Revitalization Initiative] money," Parada said. "There is definitely a rebirth, and I'm seeing it with ticket sales, people coming through the door. Our numbers are going up every year."
Historic Post Office: The 123-year-old post office has a new life following its nearly $1.8 million grant from the state. Already open and housing Big Ditch Brewing's newest location and other office spaces, one by Dan Wilson and the Grigg Lewis Foundation
"We're extremely pleased with it," Wilson said. "Amazing that the architects saw the value."
In the meantime, other projects are still in the works.
Harrison Lofts Project: The site of future apartments and storefronts received just under a million dollars. Construction crews are working on transforming the space.
Q: "How do you feel Lockport has done with all this money?"
NY Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley: “I think the City of Lockport has put it to great use. We want it to be a bigger and better place for people to not only live, but for people to visit.”
