Help us to build on the momentum already growing in the Village to revitalize Herkimer!

The Village of Herkimer is embarking on some major planning initiatives aimed at revitalizing the Main Street corridor! This transformative effort began with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which awarded the Village a $10 million grant for projects like the transformation of the Masonic Temple (more info here). With the $10 million grant, Herkimer developed a Strategic Investment Plan to help identify key projects for revitalization. Building on this momentum, the Village has launched a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Plan to help attract further investment in the Village and transform underutilized sites. The BOA program has been used since 2005 to assist communites in attracting investment. It encompasses brownfield, abandoned, vacant, and underutilized sites within a project study area. By coupling these two initiatives, the Village of Herkimer is focused on short-term and long-term approaches to revitalizing and redeveloping downtown.

The following pages identify several key sites within the study area. Some properties have buildings currently for sale, some are vacant with investment and redevelopment potential, and others are partially in use with additional opportunities for future transformation. Use the photos and links below to explore the different properties in downtown Herkimer and what great potential they offer.

Benefits of the BOA:

• NYS DOS provides ongoing support to pursue implementation of BOA plans in Designated BOA areas. Communites within designated BOAs are able to apply for pre-development funding through the BOA program. Funding supports implementation of pre-development activities to advance goals and priorities for revitalization and redevelopment.

• Projects within a designated BOA receive priority and preference in some State grant programs.

• Designation of a BOA demonstrates community endorsement of the Plan’s goals. This removes the risk and uncertainty associated with investment in a transitional or marginal market.

• Developers participating in the Brownfield Cleanup Program to remediate and redevelop sites in a designated BOA are eligible for a tax credit “bump-up” of 5% if the development advances the BOA plan.