Village of Sherman Mayor Colleen Meeder.

The village of Sherman is purchasing a Main Street property to serve as a community center.

Village Board members recently authorized Mayor Colleen Meeder to execute a purchase agreement between M3P Realty and the Village of Sherman for the sale of the 130 W. Main St. property for the amount of $2.

Details regarding the restoration schedule and proposed use as a community center and hosted style short term rental units will be negotiated prior to closing, Meeder said.

“As the second largest building on Main Street and an historic building on the west end, this is an important property to revitalize,” Meeder said. “The desire of the community is to have an active center available for public use, which is adjacent to Edmunds Park and the trail.”

Meeder said the restoration proposal for the building coincides with the village’s comprehensive plan and vision for the Sherman community.

“In the village’s quest to become a Trail Town, it is essential that we provide supporting amenities to the all-season trail, particularly with lodging and eateries,” she said.

Meeder noted the price of $2 in the agreement was obviously a legal requirement.

“The sale price is more of a legal formality with the exchange of a monetary amount, half at signing and half at closing,” she said. “Under the purchase agreement, details of the use, design and schedule of the project will be negotiated and approved by the steering committee and board of trustees.”

In other business, Meeder reported the village is awaiting word on the NY Forward Grant which, if awarded, begins a lengthy process with State appointed administrators to guide the community through public hearings.

“Each week the governor announces another region’s DRI (downtown revitalization initiative) and NY Forward awards, so we suspect it could be as soon as next week,” she said.

The NY Forward grant is intended to be used toward a number of transformative projects including the anchor project, WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM, Meeder said. Members Heather and Kevin Goree have proposed a plan to transform the building at 124 East Main Street into a sensory gymnasium.

“Heather and Kevin Goree invested in this project prior to the village introducing them to these grant opportunities,” Meeder said. “The grants would only enhance and expedite their vision. Their mission to bring a sensory gym to our region is not contingent on grants.”

Meeder said the village is also awaiting word on a Restore New York grant, which was also made specifically for the We Rock The Spectrum Sherman Project.

In another matter, Meeder told trustees that the state DEC rebate for the EV charging stations was received from NYSOSC, the final BAN payment was made and the project is now closed.

Meeder also reported that the first public input session concerning a proposed mural to be painted on The Cornerstone Restaurant building took place on Tuesday, March 11. This project, which is funded and organized by CREDC and CCPEG, will serve as a point of interest for those coming into Sherman from I-86, Meeder said.

“This is a welcomed project that will celebrate Sherman and what is important to the community while drawing interest from tourist and trail users,” she said. “Those in the greater Sherman community are encouraged to provide their input into what they’d like to see on the wall by following the links provided on the village website, the QR code posted around town, or by going directly to https://www.choosechq.com/paintchq/.”