Mill Street Dam removal

In 2023, CACDA secured a grant to develop engineering plans for the removal of the Mill Street dam.  The dam no longer serves a purpose, restricts fish passage and contributes to back flows from Chittenango Creek into Cazenovia Lake several times per year.  These back flows bring silt and nutrients into the lake, contributing to the growth of weeds and algae.  Removal of the dam and upstream remediation to a natural state will go a long way toward addressing this problem.  Preliminary plans were completed and a $1.3 million grant was secured to remove the dam and remediate the stream.

Development of 99/103 Albany Street

On December 20, 2022, CACDA secured $2 million for the redevelopment of the 99/103 Albany Street properties. Through the Restore New York Communities Initiative (Restore NY), this funding was made available for projects targeting abandoned or condemned properties with the hope of revitalizing neighborhoods and encouraging community development. Berkley Properties, LLC, will receive the subgrant towards construction of a new building which will consist of mixed-use retail and residential spaces. Only eight projects in Central New York were awarded funding through this year's program.

Recreation Study

CACDA partnered with the Town of Cazenovia to secure a grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to conduct a comprehensive recreation study. This funding, obtained with the support of Assemblyman Al Stirpe, will help assess and enhance recreational opportunities in the Cazenovia area.

Market NY    

CACDA received a $50,000 Market NY grant to enhance the region's tourism and cultural offerings through marketing of seasonal events. The grant has been instrumental in promoting signature events such as Winterfest, a celebration of winter activities and local culture, and the Autumn Leaves Arts Festival, a vibrant showcase of art, music, and community spirit. By bolstering these annual festivities, the funding has not only attracted more visitors to the Cazenovia area but has also helped drive economic growth, foster local pride, and support regional artists and businesses.  This funding further leveraged a $40,000 grant through the office of Assemblyman Al Stirpe to support Cazenovia's Winterfest.

Lakeland Park Improvement Project

The Village of Cazenovia was awarded a $500,000 grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to enhance its waterfront area and improve visitor experience. This funding will be used to renovate the iconic stone pier, ensuring its continued structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. The project will also expand and upgrade the beach, creating more accessible recreational space for residents and tourists alike. A new plaza will be built between the beach and the parking lot, providing a welcoming area for gathering and relaxation. Additionally, the grant will fund improvements to the parking lot to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety, making the area more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable for all who visit.

Planning for College Campus Use

While the sale of the campus is a private transaction, CACDA has taken steps to assist in a robust planning process. This has included:

Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan

The village completed a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan through a NYS DOS grant secured by CACDA. The plan serves to protect our waterfront resources and allow for funding of projects through the Local Waterfront Revitalization program. The plan focuses on: enhancing physical and visual public waterfront access opportunities; revitalizing downtown areas; protecting community historic character; and enhancing recreation and tourism amenities.

Lakeland Park Planning Project

CACDA assisted the Village of Cazenovia in the creation of a vision and master plan for Lakeland Park and the historic Carpenter's Barn.  This project was made possible through a grant from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The plan, which was created with input from the community, addressed opportunities for greater connectivity between the park and the barn and includes suggestions for rehabilitation to enhance public use of the barn, ways to improve pedestrian circulation and access to recreation areas. In addition, a tree planting plan was developed.

Farmland Protection Implementation Project

CACDA assisted the Town of Cazenovia to work to revise various sections of the zoning law to align with recommendations made in the Town of Cazenovia Farmland Protection Plan.  This project was made possible through a grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plans

The Towns of Nelson, Cazenovia & Lincoln worked together to develop agriculture and farmland protection plans with assistance and funding that was secured by CACDA from the NYS Dept of Ag & Markets. Farmers, elected officials and landowners from each of the three towns worked with a consultant from Stuart I Brown Associates to complete the plans.

Winter Trail Grooming

CACDA has partnered with FROSTY (Friends of Stoney Pond State Park), Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, Friends of Lorenzo, Meier's Creek, Madison County Distillery, and Johnny Appleseed over the past several years to develop a program to groom cross country and snowshoe trails throughout the Cazenovia Area. In 2023, we secured a grant that allowed FROSTY to purchase a full second set of grooming equipment. This will enable all of the trails within the program to be groomed regularly, as long as we have snow! Visit GoCaz.com or https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/US/NY/Cazenovia-Trails to find real-time grooming conditions.

RecDesk

The RecDesk website serves as a "virtual community center" and provides one single location for residents to visit to get involved in local activities. This project is a collaboration among several local organizations and improved communication of existing programs and reduced the administrative burden on local volunteer organizations.

Creekside Park

CACDA successfully secured funding for the development of a new village park along Chittenango Creek on Riverside Drive. In 2024 and 2025, with support from the CACDA Wetzel Fund, additional hardscape and plantings were added.

Lakeland Park Hand Boat Launch

A hand boat launch for kayaks and canoes was constructed along the canal at Lakeland Park with funding from the NYS Canal Corporation.  This project served to repair the canal wall as well.  The canal provides access to a very unique scenic experience for paddlers to enjoy by connecting users to a wonderful section of Chittenango Creek.

GoCaz (2013 Signature Project)

CACDA's Signature Project for 2013 was to create visibility and encourage use of our vast trail network and recreational amenities in Cazenovia.  This project was possible through grants from the Central New York Community Foundation, the Gifford Foundation, AmeriCU Credit Union, the Cazenovia Lions Club, and numerous individual donations.  Through comprehensive mapping of our trails, parks and cultural amenities, we created an activity-driven interactive website that promotes multi-seasonal sports and recreational opportunities. 

Nelson Swamp Trail

CACDA assisted with the development of a new trail within the hamlet of Nelson by securing two grants to help fund the project. Trail access is located behind the town of Nelson office building. .

Bike Caz (2014 Signature Project)

CACDA's Signature Project for 2014 was to support a safe, healthy community and environment through encouraging bicycling as a recreational activity and a means of transportation.  Through this initiative, we are elevating our visibility as a cycling destination and encouraging visitors to stay and enjoy our local attractions.

We installed several bike racks, held a bike safety day and a snow bike race, and developed a Ride with GPS program.

NYSERDA Clean Energy Community Grants

With coordination from CACDA, the Town and Village of Cazenovia were among the first in New York to receive this designation and therefore were awarded $50,000 each to spend on projects to increase energy efficiency!  This money was used to replace village HVAC systems, upgrade town streetlights to LED, and improve insulation at the town highway garage.

In 2024, CACDA obtained three grants through this program for the Town and Village of Cazenovia and the Town of Nelson. Securing $60,000 for each community, these funds will be used for projects that will cut energy costs and further climate smart initiatives.  For example, the Town of Cazenovia used their award to purchase an EV truck for the highway department and the Town of Nelson used their award for a solar array that has made the town net zero for town electricity usage.

Lakeside Park Boat Launch Cleaning Station

CACDA secured a $46,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a cleaning station which has been installed at Lakeside Park. This station will help to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species into Cazenovia Lake and across the state.

Blueberry Island Grant

CACDA helped secure a grant to restore and preserve "Blueberry Island," which faced damage from severe erosion. This project ensures that the island can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

Climate Smart Community Certification

CACDA assisted the Village of Cazenovia in their application for bronze level Climate Smart Community Certification. This demonstrates the commitment of our community to sustainability and our leadership in this area.

Eradication of European Frogbit

In response to growing concerns about a new threat to lake health, CACDA identified a funding opportunity offered by DEC to eradicate a highly invasive weed, European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) from Cazenovia Lake. We successfully secured the grant and partnered with the town, Cazenovia College, the Boy Scouts, and volunteers to complete the project.

Micro-hydro Demonstration Project

CACDA successfully secured funding for the expansion of the town micro-hydroelectricity generation facility located on Mill Street in the hamlet of New Woodstock.  This expansion used the existing infrastructure to generate electricity that offsets town energy usage at other sites such as the highway garage.  CACDA also secured funding for the development of interpretive displays at this site which describes old versus new technology and highlights the original iron waterwheel that is still located at the site.

Shoreline Renovation

More than 30 local residents volunteered their time and energy to help renovate the shoreline at Lakeland Park in 2006.  This project included planting indigenous seeds and installing native plants in a 20-foot buffer zone between the grass and the water's edge.  This project benefited the community by enhancing Cazenovia Lake water quality, providing better wildlife habitat and reducing maintenance on the site.  It also provides an example of best practices.

GrowCaz

In 2021, CACDA received a $200,000 grant from the Office of Community Renewal to launch "GrowCaz," a micro-enterprise grant program for local small businesses.  In 2025, CACDA continued this program by partnering with Madison County to secure additional funds for local small businesses that are starting or expanding.

Survey and Inventory

CACDA's Signature Project for 2016/2017 was to build consensus and implement projects to support and strengthen our community core.  This included development of an inventory of commercial space and implementation of a survey of the community to determine the gaps that exist in goods and services offered locally.  The next step included identifying strategies to encourage new businesses in areas where gaps were identified.  This effort has continued with bi-annual surveys of the community.

Lakeland Park Canal Wall Repair

CACDA secured funding for the village from the NYS Canal Corp. for a second phase of repairs to the historic canal that connects Cazenovia Lake to Chittenango Creek.

Enhancements to Burton Street Park

CACDA secured a grant from NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on behalf of the village to improve the service building at this park. Enhancements included accessible restrooms.

Carpenter's Barn

After several years of planning and collaboration among many partners, the initial rehabilitation of Carpenter's Barn was completed. This work was funded by a State Implementation Program grant of $250,000 secured through Assemblyman William Magee and a grant of $133,965 through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. CACDA partnered with the Village of Cazenovia to complete the EPF application and has been responsible for administration of both grants. Originally constructed as a carriage barn for the Carpenter estate, the large stone structure is located along the southeast side of Lakeland Park. Carpenter's Barn is owned by the Village of Cazenovia and is listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Preservation. Over the years, the barn suffered structural damage and was greatly in need of repairs. Preserving the structure has been key to moving forward on a viable future use for Carpenter's Barn.

In 2019, additional funding of $125,000 was secured with assistance from Madison County to improve the interior of the barn and add energy efficiency measures.

Amish Hitching Posts

CACDA's Signature Project for 2015 was to strengthen the communication, understanding, and support for the newly established Amish Community in our area. We sponsored a lecture by the Amish community and installed two hitching rails

Drinking Water Projects

CACDA secured significant funding for two drinking water projects.  Both federal and state grants were awarded in very competitive programs. This has allowed water to be extended east on Route 20 to the Trush Business Park which was previously serviced by underperforming wells.  In addition, enhancements were made at a town water district to improve water quality.

Safe Routes to School

The purpose of this project was to improve the safety of walking and bicycling to and from the two school campuses within the Village of Cazenovia through efforts to reduce excessive speed by motorists. In addition, this project encouraged walking and bicycling to school through education of students and parents regarding the safest routes to our schools.

ARTS AND CULTURE PROJECTS

LOCAL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY PROJECTS