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IDA seeks temporary court control to assess two North Main Street properties for cleanup and grant eligibility
Summary
The IDA asked the judge for temporary incidents of ownership for 132 and 137 North Main Street to allow environmental assessments and to pursue EPA/CDBG funding; the board approved the action and staff will coordinate with village and county officials.
The Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency voted to ask a judge for temporary incidents of ownership to allow due-diligence environmental assessments at two North Main Street properties, aiming to qualify the sites for state and federal cleanup funds.
Board members said structural engineers found the properties in disrepair and that environmental assessments already done on other nearby properties suggest further testing is needed before grant applications. A board speaker said one parcel is not yet in foreclosure but is structurally unsound and has tax arrears the speaker estimated to be about $1,500.
Officials discussed pursuing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or EPA funding once site assessments are complete. Board members said the county and village would coordinate; staff noted any vendors going onto the properties for phase‑one work will be insured and do environmental testing only.
The motion requested the county seek a court order for temporary incidents of ownership to permit environmental site assessments and due diligence and passed by voice vote. Staff said the IDA is prepared to contribute up to $20,000 as part of the grant match for initial assessments and will assemble stakeholders including village officials, the county attorney and the judge if needed.
