CAPE VINCENT — Cape Vincent voters have approved a waterfront revitalization project by referendum, though about 70 absentee votes still need to be tallied.
There were 374 yes votes to spend up to $1 million on the project and 143 no votes, unofficial numbers show, with 70 to 75 absentee ballots remaining.
The project will revitalize Club Street next to Horne’s Ferry, which Town Supervisor Paul F. Aubertine has said the town has been working on since 2018.
The town demolished properties in 2019 to get them ready for development. If the town puts in about $250,000, the state will put in roughly $875,000 as Cape Vincent received a waterfront revitalization matching grant in 2021.
Taxes could go up about $9 per $100,000 of assessed value yearly to pay for the $1 million bond.
After the town demolishes the properties, it will look to create a waterfront park and refurbish the waterfront to improve it for boaters and walkers, adding two docks for boaters, and opening up the space, according to Aubertine. They will also be looking to add a multi-use splash pad.
The $1 million bond will allow the town to purchase the two properties, and it will pay the initial $525,000 for the purchase of the properties while using the rest of the money for operating capital. The town will then submit the receipts to get the reimbursement from the state and be able to put the money it receives down on the bond.
The bond resolution is for the first phase of the project, which will cost about $3.7 million with taxpayers being responsible for paying $525,000 to $600,000 in the long-term.
Phase one, which includes project acquisition, demolition of current buildings, restoration of the waterfront, the docks and the green space/water feature should be done in three years.
It could take three phases and decades to transform the whole area.
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