Tag: fairport lift bridge

Fairport expands LIFT Grant program

The Village of Fairport Local Development Corp. LIFT Grant program has been expanded to provide cash assistance to village retail and restaurant businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The LIFT grant program was introduced in August 2020 to provide reimbursement for purchases of COVID-related supplies, services and renovations to enable businesses to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.

With the program expansion, retailers and restaurants in the village of Fairport that are forced to close due to required quarantine and isolation orders may be eligible for $100 per day, up to a maximum of $1,000, for each normally scheduled business day that the entity is closed due to COVID orders.

“We recognize the important role that our businesses play in making the village of Fairport a unique destination for shopping, dining and entertainment,” said Kevin Clark, FLFDC board chairman “This expansion will help our especially hard-hit village retailers and restaurants as they adapt to these ongoing challenges. The LIFE Grant program underscores our commitment to ensuring the future of the village of Fairport as a diverse and vibrant business district for residents and visitors alike.”

The program also will provide up to $1,000 to offset the higher costs of takeout supplies and third-party delivery fees incurred by village restaurants, officials said. More information can be found at fairportoced.org.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
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DOT prepares for work on two canal bridges

Fairport Lift Bridge Photo courtesy of Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County.
Fairport Lift Bridge
(Photo courtesy of Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County.)

The state Department of Transportation will change the timeline for rehabilitating the Erie Canal Lift Bridge in Fairport as a result of community concerns.

The $13.7 million investment will extend the service life of the canal bridges along Route 250 in the Village of Fairport and Route 259 in the Village of Spencerport. The historic Fairport lift bridge was originally scheduled to close the first week of July 2019 and remain closed until the summer of 2020, arguably Fairport’s busiest time of the year.

As a result of discussions with community leaders and residents in both villages, the state DOT has agreed to close the Route 250 bridge in Fairport no earlier than September 3, 2019. Additionally, following discussions with residents and village officials in Spencerport, the DOT will change the alignment of the north and southbound approach of the Route 259 bridge to improve visibility and sight distance for motorists.

Adjusting the timeline for the Fairport lift bridge will benefit local business owners and summer tourism by alleviating the impact of the closure down to one summer or festival season rather than two, DOT officials said in a statement this week.

The closure date for the Route 259 bridge has not been altered, but discussions with village officials are ongoing.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer