City of Gloversville Reclaims Downtown: Rubble Removal Begins at Historic Fownes Site

Progress to be Shared with Regional Developers

GLOVERSVILLE, NY — Nearly one year after a devastating fire reshaped the skyline of South Main Street, the City of Gloversville announces the commencement of debris removal at the site of the former Fownes building.

The fire, which broke out on April 29, 2025, left the community with a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities of historic industrial structures. Following the disaster, city officials acted swiftly, securing a vital $1.5 million grant funding in July 2025 through the Vacant Property Clearance Program.

The interval between the fire and the removal that began March 4, 2026, was essential for meeting strict grant procedures, including site control, environmental reviews to ensure public safety, and a transparent bidding process. Despite delays caused by uncooperative weather during the winter months, the project is now moving full steam ahead.

“Grants of this magnitude take time to implement correctly, but this is a major win for Gloversville,” said Gloversville Mayor Gary Antonucci. “We are clearing the path for future investment.”

“I know the community wants to see the excavators moving the day after a grant is announced, but these projects require rigorous steps that need to be followed. Between the environmental reviews, asbestos mitigation, and strict bidding procedures required by the state, the process is intensive. But as we see today with the Fownes site, that patience pays off. We’ve proven that we can navigate the red tape to deliver a shovel-ready site, said Nick Zabawsky of Orion Management Company, who is the grant manager for the city.

The city’s momentum will be a focal point at the upcoming Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit, to be held April 21 and 22 at SUNY-Herkimer.

Gloversville will showcase its success in tackling blight, including highlighting several key projects:

• 102 S. Main St (Fownes Site): Debris removal and site stabilization in progress.
• 31 S. Arlington Ave (Zimmer Building): Finalizing demolition and clearance.
• 5 Hill Street: Structure successfully removed.
• The Next Priority: Attention will soon shift to the Comrie Inc. site at 92-96 Harrison Street, a 6-acre former tannery targeted for transformation into a productive community asset.
• 40 Beaver St.: This site is also in the program, and final demolition and clearance will take place after Comrie Inc.

The city remains committed to the revitalization of its community, Antonucci said. “This isn’t just about cleaning up a past disaster; it’s about making a clear statement that Gloversville is open for business. Every brick we move today is a step toward a safer, more modern downtown that our residents can be proud of.”

Ronald M. Peters, president & CEO of Fulton County Center for Regional Growth (CRG) and co-founder of the Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit, said “We co-founded the Developer Summit specifically for sites like Comrie Inc. and Fownes. On April 21st, we aren’t just showing pictures of old factories; we are presenting a portfolio of cleared, studied, and incentivized properties to the best developers in the Northeast. By highlighting these sites at the Summit, we are connecting Gloversville directly to the ‘Technology Triangle’ growth happening across the Mohawk Valley. This is how we transition from demolition to destination.”

“In economic development, your first impression is your most important asset. When a developer or site selector drives through Gloversville, they need to see a city moving forward. Removing the rubble from the Fownes site and clearing the Zimmer building isn’t just about cleaning up a neighborhood; it’s about removing the ‘friction’ that keeps private capital away. We are taking sites that were once liabilities and turning them into clean slates for housing and commerce,” said Jennifer Donovan, Gloversville Downtown Development Specialist.