Brockport receives grant for visitor center construction

With the construction of a visitor's center along the banks of the Erie Canal, the Village of Brockport will be in a better position to lure visitors to its historic Main Street.

"Right now we are at a distinct disadvantage with other communities along the canal who are able to provide showers and washers and dryers for visitors," Mayor Josephine Matela said.

When completed, the visitor center will cater not only to boaters but to hikers and bikers as well, Matela explained. "This will be a center for all segments of tourists who utilize the canal and the path for recreation."

The village is prepared to match a $25,000 grant they recently received from the Main Street Small Cities Grant program. Brockport's portion will come from its Canal Revitalization Capital Fund, the mayor said. "We've had this money earmarked for canal improvements."

When complete, the visitor center will be located off Water Street in the eastern end of the parking lot, Matela said. She also said it will not take spaces away from the parking lot. The center will feature a shower facility, handicapped accessible bathroom facilities and a stacking-type washer and dryer.

Brockport's Economic Development Director Scott Winner said the visitor center will be built in keeping with the overall character of the village. The building will be two stories tall with the canal level housing bathroom, shower and laundry facilities and the second level would have a dockmaster and a conference area. "We have been behind the curve on offering this type of facility to boaters," Winner said. "Brockport is the best town on the canal but we just haven't offered the amenities that other towns and villages have."

Construction of a visitor center is all part of the village's master plan, Winner said. The project will be completed in phases with phase one being the reconstruction and repair of the canal wall from Park Avenue to the Main Street bridge. Winner said that would cost approximately $780,000, funds which are not coming from taxpayer dollars - it is a canal corporation/state project. The second phase will involve the $150,000 project for reconstructing the promenade in the same area with the third phase being the building of the visitor center. "The first couple phases are being done with state money ... it's all been awarded and is in place," he said.

Village officials are also planning to revitalize a building at 60 Clinton Street and turn it into the home for the village's museum. "Our present museum isn't climate controlled, nor is it handicapped accessible," he said.

The 60 Clinton Street site would be an "interactive, educational museum," he said. It will focus on the role the canal played in Brockport's development and it will also showcase one of the original, Brockport built Cyrus McCormick reapers, he said. "The Clinton Street project is a long-term project," Winner explained. It will be a collaborative effort with SUNY Brockport's history department and will likely be funded through grant monies.

While there may not be a specific charge for use of the visitor's center, Matela said there may be a fee for docking. The fee would help offset the village's costs for electricity and water. "We know that other municipalities charge for these amenities," she said. "It won't be a cost prohibitive fee."

Construction plans and drawings for the building are still in their preliminary phases, she said.