An all-volunteer organization has launched a crowd funding campaign to support the restoration and repurposing of a historic factory and warehouse complex on the banks of the Erie Canal in Brockport. The Greater Brockport Development Corporation (GBDC), a non-profit community development corporation, announced a $750,000 crowd sourcing campaign to support the next phase of development for the Whiteside and Barnett Farm Implement Factory complex at 60 Clinton Street in Brockport. The brownstone buildings are listed on the National and State registers of historical places and are rare and unusually intact examples of the medina sandstone industrial buildings that once lined the banks of the canal in Brockport and elsewhere; most similar structures have been lost to fire, urban renewal, or decay. The building complex was selected as one of “Five to Revive” in the most recent Western New York Historical Society survey of historical structures that are worthy candidates for restoration and redevelopment.
“We have done much of the preliminary work already,” said Josephine Matela, GBDC president. “Since purchasing the complex, we have commissioned marketing, engineering and environmental studies, taken action to prevent further deterioration, reinforced key structural points of the stone structure, and remediated environmental issues associated with prior use. The complex is ready to restore and repurpose, once again becoming an economic engine for greater Brockport.” Restoration of the complex is a key component of the official Village of Brockport Master Plan.
A final economic and marketing analysis, funded in-part by a New York State Main Streets Technical Assistance grant, is underway and will narrow the list of candidate uses for the buildings, specifying the costs, benefits, architectural and engineering implications of each alternative use. “We are beginning the crowd funding campaign now, so that we can quickly move ahead once the final economic and marketing study is complete,” said Matela. GBDC CFO and Treasurer, Steven Breslawski, added, “Redevelopment costs will be substantial. Raising some of the required funding on our own increases the number of developers we can work with. We can focus on selecting a developer known for their expertise in historical preservation rather than their deep pockets. It also provides us with the opportunity to take advantage of grants requiring matching funds.”
Crowd funding, also called crowd sourcing, refers to the practice of raising money to support a cause by collecting many small donations from many individuals via the web. A crowd funding video, which can be seen at www.youcaring.com/60clintonstreet was produced with the help of students in the Communication and Journalism program at The College at Brockport. GBDC chose to work with Youcaring.com as a crowd funding platform because they do not charge commissions on funds raised.
Interested parties can learn more about the project and GBDC by visiting www.youcaring.com/60clintonstreet or by visiting companion website www.60clintonstreet.org, which has picture galleries and details the history of the building complex and the redevelopment project. Questions can be e-mailed to crowdfunding@60clint-onstreet.org
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