The medical, retail and housing project on the former Camillus Cutlery site is taking a few more steps toward redevelopment.
A grant to support some environmental cleanup and choosing engineering and building contractors moves the Camillus Mills projectforward. Sweet Spot DevelopmentC-E-O Tom Blair says a national grid brownfield grant will help remediate some problems on the property.
"Camillus Cutlery site was an ongoing manufacturing center from the 1890s to 2007 so there were various issues that had to be addressed on site," Blair said. "There was a fire in February that razed some of the buildings so there’s some debris cleanup as well. So we have a variety of issues were working on with D-E-C."
Blair says he entered a voluntary clean-up program with the state. Once it’s finished, construction can begin on a medical wellness center, with businesses such as a chiropractor, massage, other spa services, plus several apartments. He says he wants to revitalize the core of the community.
"Everyone in the village of Camillus says the cutlery property was the heart and soul of this community for more than a century. So it’s more than just a piece of property." Blair adds, "So our ability to restore the property and put vibrant businesses back on site will be critical for the village’s health for the next generation."
LOCAL COMPANIES HIRED
Blair announced this week the hiring of Parsons-McKenna of Liverpool as the main contractor in a five-and-a-quarter million dollar contract. T-D-K Engineering was chosen for civil and environmental engineering services; they’re right there in Camillus. Sweet Spot believes tenants could start moving into Camillus Mills by Summer of 2014.
Blair says there was a lot of interest, with a dozen local companies competing to earn the prime contractor role. He's also makes the case for businesses who might consider being tenants of the development with income and nearby population statistics on the Camillus Mills website.
