AVON, N.Y., Dec. 19, 2023 — The Town of Avon is renovating its historic Avon Opera Block with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) administered by Livingston County.
The County received these ARPA funds as a result of the pandemic when Congress created a federal bill to support projects that provide for economic resiliency and enhance communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year in January, the County’s Board of Supervisors authorized a portion of the County’s ARPA funds to be distributed equally among its 17 towns to support the creation of or improvement to parks, trails or other forms of outdoor recreation, and/or tourism efforts.
Built in 1876, the Avon Opera Block is a three-story, two-part commercial block located at 17-27 Genesee Street. The block’s third floor was originally used as a performance space for theatrical shows, lectures, political gatherings, dances and local school graduations. Avon is using the ARPA funding to revitalize the top floor space for future community gatherings and to promote tourism in the town.
“The building is on the State and National Registers of Historic Places,” said Avon Town Supervisor David LeFeber. “The project includes the top floor stage and meeting space being brought back to their original condition to be used for public municipal meetings and performances. In addition to other buildings of historic importance, we hope to draw visitors to Avon as they travel Routes 5 & 20.”
Visit the “County News” section of the County’s website to see how other local towns have used ARPA funding for their own green space initiatives, including West Sparta’s new community playground and park, Springwater’s baseball facility improvements, York’s upgraded playground facilities, and Caledonia’s upgraded baseball grounds.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.