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Allegany County seeks federal demolition funds for Allentown School and applies for County Road 51 infrastructure grant
Summary
County staff asked the Ways and Means Committee for permission to apply for congressionally directed funds to demolish the Allentown School (estimate ~$750,000) and to submit a NYS infrastructure grant letter of intent for County Road 51 (50% match, roughly $375,000); both requests were authorized by voice vote.
Tim, the county administrator, told the Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 18 that the county intends to apply for two separate funding opportunities to address a prioritized demolition and to complete County Road 51 work.
On the Allentown School, Tim said the project is being positioned for congressionally directed spending because the site qualifies as blight and/or a brownfield; he estimated the demolition at about $750,000, said the application window closes in March, and reported that the offices of Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer were accepting submissions with the congressman’s office expected to open shortly. "So we're just simply requesting opportunity to make the application," Tim told the committee. He also said the county does not believe a local match is required for that program and described possible post-demolition uses discussed previously by the town board, including expanding an adjacent park or creating a small commercial node such as a convenience store or gas station.
On the County Road 51 project, Tim said the county would pursue a New York State county infrastructure grant and estimated it would require a 50% match, putting the project total at roughly $375,000. County DPW staff could contribute significant in-kind labor to reduce the cash match, he said. "It's a 50% match, so we would be looking at a total of roughly, $375,000, for the completion of that," Tim said. The committee authorized submission of the letter of intent and the congressionally directed funding application by voice votes.
Staff and consultants (Delta Development) earlier flagged the Allentown School demolition as a priority project. Tim cautioned that both programs will be competitive and that details such as allowable in-kind match limits remain uncertain; he said staff will return with application documents and next steps after submission.
The committee voted to authorize both applications. The record does not show detailed cost-share commitments or a formal award; those would require separate approvals if and when grants are offered.
