Alliance for Business Growth Director Louise Wadsworth, at right, emphasizing to a Mount Morris resident the importance of working together in attracting businesses to the downtown development project. At center, Greg O'Connell. Photo by Tony D'Imperio.

MOUNT MORIS, NY — Greg O’Connell has fond memories of Mount Morris from back when he was a student at SUNY Geneseo. A 1964 graduate of the college, O’Connell recalls going to Peter’s — a roadside stand and later a restaurant — for a sausage sandwich.

O'Connell is back in Livingston County, buying buildings in downtown Mount Morris and improving them. He has purchased 14 Main Street buildings, with two more in contract. “Each time I came to Mount Morris, there were more and more empty buildings,” he observed.

Speaking to the more than 60 Mount Morris people gathered at the Mills Mansion last Friday, Greg concluded by commenting on the warmth and welcome that he’s felt since his work began in the village. He explained why he has taken an interest in Mount Morris.

“I like historic buildings, and in 1967 I bought my first house with $15,000 that I saved up,”  said the lifetime Brooklyn resident. Since then, he has purchased and rehabilitated more than 60 residential and commercial properties in South Brooklyn.

O’Connell is among 24 Mount Morris property owners whose applications for the New York State Main Street Grant Program total about $700,000.

“It’s exciting to see this much interest,” says Alliance for Business Growth Director Louise Wadsworth. “But, we have only $300,000 from the grant, so we may have to apply for more.”

Wadsworth said that the grant allows restoration of the exterior facade, interior commercial and residential. The program operates as a matching grant, providing half the cost of the total project. A $25,000 portion of the total grant is set aside for upgrades to the pocket park, located on the east side of the State and Main Streets intersection.

So far O’Connell has remodeled many of the upstairs apartments in his buildings “because they were in such poor condition. Most of the tenants were of very limited means, and upkeep was not a priority. They’re gone now.”

Greg said that he’s also concentrating on removing paint from the exterior facade brickwork, the procedure that’s been most visible to people. “We’re doing roofs, we’ve replace 150 windows and some boilers,” he remarked.

O’Connell is looking to attract small businesses as tenants in his buildings. A coffee house in the former Style Center, a goldsmith in another location, an Italian restaurant—maybe an Indian restaurant–and the possibility of Grizzly’s moving to Main Street are in discussion.

“It’s not really about me making a lot of money,” Greg said. “Rents will be low. I’m very supportive of the arts, and since there are so many empty storefronts, we can keep a mix of arts-related businesses with the others.”

He is hoping to coordinate the opening of several businesses at the same time, next spring or early summer.

O’Connell said that he is open to any ideas that will meet the challenge of getting tenants to start a business in Mount Morris. “I need the support and cooperation of as many people as possible.”

See complete story in our Oct. 29 print edition.

Tagged as: Alliance for Business Growth, development, Main Street