Gloversville to Showcase Brownfield Revitalization at Mohawk Valley Summit

The City of Gloversville will actively participate in the annual Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit, held April 29-30 at SUNY-Herkimer. This year, the city will highlight its progress in transforming blighted sites into valuable community assets.

Jennifer Donovan, Gloversville’s Downtown Development Specialist, will present key brownfield sites within the city with a dedicated booth in the resource room that will showcase the impact of EPA grants and the potential for growth through the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) program.

Mohawk Valley Summit

The summit, now in its fourth year, is hosted by the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD), Fulton County Center for Regional Growth (CRG), and economic development agencies across seven counties. It provides a crucial platform for networking and investment in brownfield redevelopment.

Gloversville’s commitment to revitalization is well-established. In past summits, Mayor Vincent DeSantis shared strategies for acquiring and assessing brownfield sites, particularly within “The Crescent” region. The city has also been recognized with the Brownfields Catalyst of the Year Award for its exceptional efforts.

Gloversville to feature $3 million project to repurpose a former industrial site

This year, Gloversville will feature its $3 million project to repurpose a former industrial site into a new municipal Department of Public Works (DPW) facility. This initiative demonstrates how brownfield remediation can create functional spaces, serving as a model for future development.

The current DPW facility at 73 Lincoln Street suffers from structural and efficiency issues. The acquisition of the former Wood & Hyde Leather Company property at 68 Wood Street, facilitated by EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant funding, allows for a modern, consolidated DPW operation. The city has already made significant progress, including demolition, site preparation, and adaptation of the existing administrative building, as well as erecting a new service building for the fleet of vehicles. Construction will be completed in May. Future plans include the removal of the remaining Wood & Hyde main building after thorough environmental testing.

The Lincoln Street facility is now undergoing environmental assessments, with plans for future redevelopment through the city’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and BOA initiatives.

Former tannery sites enter State Department of Environmental Conservation cleanup programs

Furthermore, Gloversville reports that three former tannery sites—Pan American, Risedorph, and Van Tent Pole—are entering the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) cleanup programs. This crucial step will address environmental contamination, transform these sites, and contribute to the city’s overall revitalization.

By showcasing its innovative projects and strategic approach, Gloversville aims to attract investment and demonstrate the potential for brownfield redevelopment in the Mohawk Valley.