State Street Public Plaza Construction Underway in Downtown Auburn

For Immediate Release:

$1.4 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Project Will Revitalize Vacant Property in the Center of Downtown Auburn

City Launches Webpage www.AuburnNY.gov/StateStreetPublicPlaza for Project Info and Updates

The City of Auburn has announced that a major Downtown Revitalization Initiative Project, the installation of a Public Plaza on vacant property on State Street in the center of downtown, will begin the week of April 19, 2021.  This $1.4 million investment in the downtown area is part of the City of Auburn’s NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant.

Complete project information throughout the construction will be maintained on a City of Auburn webpage www.AuburnNY.gov/StateStreetPublicPlaza

Project contacts at the City for any questions will be:

• Jenny Haines, Director of Planning and Economic Development, 315-255-4114, jhaines@auburnny.gov
• Renee Jensen, Senior Planner, 315-253-3513, rjensen@auburnny.gov

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Centrally located in downtown Auburn, the State Street Public Plaza project will redevelop the site of the former Kalet’s Department Store into a public space. Improvements include filling the site, installation of pavement treatments, retaining walls, ornamental piers, electrical service, lighting and ground outlets, storm utility work, landscaping and site amenities. This project was identified as a priority project in round 3 of the New York State, Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and will be partially funded through the program.

PROJECT CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE: The mobilization and construction of the State Street Public Plaza is anticipated to begin the week of April 19, 2021 and be completed by mid-November 2021. Below is a construction schedule.

Major work phase schedule:

• April 19th – Survey work and mobilization of site
• April 23rd - Site grading and drainage
• May 7th - Site utility work

• May 13th - 5/13/21 Construction Company, Crane Hogan, will begin working on bringing the site up to grade.  There may be minor traffic disruptions on the State Street corridor as large trucks make deliveries. The State Street corridor will remain open and limited on street parking is available.

• May-September – Site structures (concrete and brick work)  
• July 30th– Landscaping
• November 12th – Project Completion 

PROJECT SITE: The project site is located at 1-7 State Street. Being centrally located downtown, the property is surrounded by residential, commercial, and small businesses.  The street will remain open during construction; however there may be certain times that deliveries require temporary use of the street and may result in a temporary closure. Limited parking will remain on State Street. Parking is available on Genesee Street, the Dill Street Parking lot and the parking garage. For parking garage rates and hours please visit:  https://www.auburnny.gov/parking-city-auburn/pages/parking-garage-inform...

PROJECT DESIGN TEAM: The City of Auburn State Street Public Plaza project team includes city staff with representatives from the Office of Planning and Economic Development and Municipal Utilities. Bergmann-Architects Engineers Planners, Rochester, NY is the design lead. Popli Design Group, Rochester, NY is the construction inspection firm. Crane-Hogan Structural Systems, Spencerport NY is the lead construction team for the project.

PROJECT BUDGET:  The total cost of the State Street Public Plaza project is estimated to be $1.4 million and will be funded through the following sources:

• $ 1 million – NYS DOS grant from the Auburn Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)
• $ 400,000 – City of Auburn Bond Ordinance #1 of 2020