Redevelopment of marina would cost $5M

SCHUYLER COUNTY—The Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development, in conjunction with the village of Watkins Glen, is investigating what is required to reestablish marina space behind the middle breakwall at the south end of Seneca Lake. Without completing a review yet, SCOPED estimates the work would cost more than $5 million. This is part of Project Seneca, which is examining the possibility of building a shared waste water treatment plant for both Watkins Glen and Montour Falls. Another potential goal of the project is to redevelop the land where the villages’ plants already exist. Watkins’ current facility is located next to the existing marina on Seneca Lake. According to SCOPED’s monthly newsletter, Project Seneca estimates the review to reestablish the middle breakwall marina space will cost $213,500, with $107,000 of that proposed to be allocated from a state grant. The rest of the cost would be covered with private funds. The review will determine how many additional boat spaces can be created and the economic feasibility of the work. SCOPED estimates the dredging work, shoreline improvements, and marina piers will cost more than $5 million.
In other business:
• SCOPED has secured $20,207,169 in federal and state funds for Schuyler County. According to the monthly newsletter, the money has leveraged more than  $36,572,530 in private funds. The projects cover infrastructure, business assistance, economic/community development, and recreation.
• SCOPED assisted with creating 50 new housing units in Watkins Glen and Montour Falls. Many of these were through the New York Main Street or Restore New York programs. All are in historic buildings located in the villages’ downtown areas. In addition, SCOPED is involved with the addition of 71 units, including the development of the Watkins Glen middle school.
• The Schuyler agency also announced the opening of Barnstormer Winery, four miles north of Watkins Glen on Route 14. Scott Bronstein, the owner, said SCOPED helped with the creation of the new winery.