CLAYTON, New York (WWNY) – It has been a hot-button topic over the last several days: an infrastructure grant planned for Watertown, pulled and given to a Clayton project instead.
The Empire State County Infrastructure grant will provide the Clayton Essential Housing Committee with upwards of $1 million to support the infrastructure needed to build housing along County Route 3.
Clayton Mayor Nancy Hyde said she was called Thursday morning and told the grant was a possibility.
“The fruits of the labor are coming forth, and it’s like, ‘Whoa, now it’s really go time,’” Hyde said.
Infrastructure and housing details
Hyde said the grant can be used for water, sewer, sidewalks and streetlights.
The land would be enough to fit around 10 homes at about 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, in what Hyde said is a great location.
“It would be wonderful for kids. You’ve got the arena there, the school is on the same block, the pool in the summertime, and it’s only a four or five-block walk into the village itself,” Hyde said.
Hyde said the CrossMod homes that will be built are exclusively for essential workers and will sell for around $200,000.
“New families just starting out. They’re not going to be rentals, not going to be Airbnbs. Privately owned houses,” Hyde said.
Jefferson County tax base to grow
The funding was a topic of controversy after it was pulled from a different housing project in Watertown.
“Watertown didn’t work out, but there is next year. This is an annual grant, so we didn’t lose the grant. Another community in the north country was able to take advantage. That tax base will continue to grow,” Jefferson County Legislator Cantwell said.
After learning of the opportunity last Thursday, the housing committee submitted the application to the county on Tuesday.
Despite that, legislators say the money is staying within the county.
“Every community should have shovel-ready or almost shovel-ready projects in that queue, at the ready to go at any time. Perfect example, right now,” said Cantwell.
Hyde said the committee will continue to look for grant opportunities for the project.
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