A Community's Successful Revitalization Project (2005 Main Street)

Village of South Glens Falls
County: Saratoga County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (518) 793-1455

The Village of South Glens Falls lies in the middle of a very active tourism region, yet its economic climate had been weakening for the last several decades. In 2002, with financial assistance from the Small Cities Technical Assistance Program, the Village leaders agreed to coordinate a revitalization of the Village's waterfront and Main Street business district with a focus on the tourism industry.

Public and private sector cooperation began with the appointment of a Local Development Corporation (LDC). The LDC was charged with economic improvements to Main Street, tourism, traffic and transportation. An active Main Street Merchants' Association was formed and initiated a search for grant funds that would implement the publicly developed goals and recommendations detailed within the plan. A grant was obtained from the New York Main Street program which provides financial assistance for fatade and building improvements to business owners located along the village's 3-block northern gateway, which also serves as the gateway to the village's Hudson River Waterfront.

The Hudson River waterfront is located immediately to the west of Main Street and is slated to become a key local and regional entertainment/tourist attraction for recreational and economic growth. Situated beside the Betar Byway bike/hike path is the Historical Park which hosts an outdoor entertainment center, Revolutionary War relics, and the Round House Museum, all maintained by volunteers. Annually, 40,000 visitors now enjoy the historic site, with this figure expected to dramatically increase with the opening of the Cooper's Cave attractions.

The village also received EPA funding to tie-in the entrance of the bike/hike path along the Hudson River and through the Historic Park to Cooper's Cave. The village has recently completed the final work on the Cooper's Cave site with an access drive and bridge, parking areas, interpretive signage panels, and an observation platform.

To further market vacant real estate, village representatives prepared a property list and site book of properties ripe for redevelopment complete with photos, addresses and property details. The village then developed a Business Plan presenting redevelopment concepts for two of the sites. By redeveloping these sites as mixed-use specialty shopping areas, the village is following its design to become a destination spot for tourists, satisfy the shopping needs of its own residents, provide local employment opportunities, and generate property and sales tax revenues.

The Village of South Glens Falls plan provided the business community and private sector with an exciting workable design detailing how, through combined efforts, they could accomplish a number of specific community projects. Over one million dollars in state and federal funds, along with local government match monies required by some of the funding sources, have been invested in the village.