Community Projects in the Adirondacks Get Fresh Funding

In a recent wave of state support, several small towns in the Adirondacks received grants that could reshape local life. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Smart Growth program awarded $3. 2 million to 26 projects, with about a dozen benefiting towns such as Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Paul Smiths, Keene, and Jay. Saranac Lake alone will see $840 000 of that money. One highlight is a sports complex on an underused field next to the civic center. A $300 000 grant will help build a hockey rink, while other funds are earmarked for bocce courts and future plans for baseball, softball, and community pavilions. The project aims to create a year‑round space for all ages, from kids playing T‑ball to adults skating in winter. The town’s community groups and local businesses have already chipped in, and the goal is to finish key parts by 2027.

Another focus is River Street redevelopment in Saranac Lake. Five properties on this stretch are being eyed for a mix of affordable housing and new storefronts. A $300 000 grant gives the Adirondack Housing Development Corporation a boost as it works with the town to buy and renovate the sites. The plan could add more units than the current four, with costs projected between $5 million and $10 million. The project is still in early stages, but the partnership between the town and a non‑profit could keep homes affordable. Trail and transportation upgrades also received attention. St. Armand got $125 000 to improve a 5‑mile mountain bike trail, while Saranac Lake’s village received $119 107 to modernize beach access at Lake Colby. Tupper Lake’s train station, which links the rail trail to a scenic railroad, earned $141 365 for upgrades. The Wild Center in Tupper Lake will get $77 400 to add a new kayak dock, and Paul Smith’s College plans a full accessibility audit of its visitor trails for $35 264. Other projects include an architectural salvage warehouse in AuSable, a feasibility study to reopen the old AuSable Street Bridge, and upgrades to Saranac Lake’s wastewater treatment plant. Each grant is part of a larger effort to enhance community life, preserve natural resources, and create economic opportunities.

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