Village and Town submit joint application for revitalization

The funding comes from the Uniform Planning Work Program through the GTC

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Webster, NY - The Webster Village Board approved a resolution on Oct. 8 to proceed with a joint application with the Town of Webster for funding through the Uniform Planning Work Program (UPWP) to study the revitalization of the North End in the Village of Webster.

This funding opportunity is through the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC). Webster Economic Development Alliance (WEDA) Executive Director Matthew Chatfield is spearheading the application.

The Village successfully received funding through this program in 2012 with a CAP (Circulation, Accessibility & Parking) Study, which ultimately led to improvements for the North Avenue Connector Project, which revitalized the North Avenue corridor.

According to Chatfield, the program is very competitive; the GTC runs out of money every year. There is approximately $900,000 allocated for this fiscal year.

Chatfield told the Village Board that GTC typically sees about 1.3-1.5 million dollars of applications.

Should the Village and Town receive the funding, it is not to be used for actual project construction or hard engineering, but rather for the planning process for physical improvements.

Chatfield said the typical planning project size is $60,000-$100,000. The GTC requires 10% in matching funds.

According to Chatfield, the GTC looks “very favorably” on intermunicipal applications, so submitting a joint application with the Town of Webster improves the odds of receiving the funds.

The Village Board had to make the decision quickly, as the application was due on Oct. 16, and Chatfield had first presented the opportunity at the Sept. 24 Village Board Meeting.