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Lewis County Invests $100K to Revitalize Village
Downtowns
Published: February 12, 2026
at 01:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from Lewis County Office of Planning and Community Development
Lewis County Invests $100K to Revitalize Village
Downtowns
Funding sparks new life for historical, vacant
downtown buildings
LOWVILLE, NY – Lewis County is
continuing its commitment to vibrant, welcoming communities with the latest
round of its Façade and Streetscape Improvement Program, awarding $100,000
to local businesses for transformative downtown upgrades.
This year’s
program drew strong interest, with applications totaling nearly $615,000 in
requested funds. After a competitive review, two standout projects were
selected to receive funding for significant façade improvements:
The Opera House Cantina (Village of Port Leyden) – $60,000
TopView Apartments
Lewis, LLC (Village of Lyons Falls) – $40,000
“These
revitalization projects will breathe new life into our communities while
preserving their historic charm,” said Tim Hunt, Lewis County Manager.
“Coupled with our placemaking efforts, these investments will have a
lasting impact on the County.”
This round
continued the County’s innovative pre-application process, developed in
partnership with In-Site Architecture, which provided visual renderings and
detailed scopes of work to ensure alignment with the Lewis County Downtown
Design Guide. The approach paid off for half of the funded projects that
participated in this proactive phase. Additionally, unfunded participants
who engaged in this process have positioned themselves favorably for future
funding opportunities through programs such as the New York Main Street
Program under the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
The Façade and
Streetscape Improvement Program offers up to a
75/25 matching funding opportunity for eligible façade, building, and
streetscape improvements to mixed-use and commercial properties in villages
and hamlets across Lewis County.
These investments
aim to:
• Support small business growth and
retention
• Reduce blight and abandoned properties
• Strengthening community pride
• Boost tourism and local spending
Lewis County’s
downtowns serve as the centers of community life, bringing people together
through events, local commerce, and shared history. This program has helped
to ensure our downtowns remain vibrant, welcoming
destinations for residents and visitors alike.
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