ROXBURY — Over the past five years, the Town of Roxbury, including the hamlets of Roxbury and Grand Gorge have become the epicenter of a quiet but significant regional renaissance. While much of the initial work has taken place behind closed doors in the form of rigorous planning, public meetings, architectural and engineering surveys, and grant applications, the financial fruits of these labors are impressive. Collectively, several multi-million dollar grants have been secured to revitalize historic infrastructure, bolster the local economy, and reimagine the future of these Catskill communities.

At the heart of this transformation is the MARK Project, Inc., a non-profit rural development company that has become a vital engine for regional growth. Under the leadership of Executive Director Peg Ellsworth, MARK navigated the complex web of state and federal funding. Ellsworth, who also serves as the Project Director for the high-profile Kirkside initiative, a decades-long advocate for the central Catskills, and her stamp shines on nearly every major revitalization effort currently underway in the area.

The most significant financial milestone in recent years was the joint award of almost $10 million through New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). This massive infusion of capital will act as a catalyst for a suite of projects across both the hamlets of Roxbury and Grand Gorge. While the community may not see shovels in the ground at every corner yet, it won’t be long. The planning process is exhaustive. According to Ellsworth, moving cautiously is intentional, to ensure that every dollar spent aligns with a long-term “bird’s-eye” vision for the region before addressing the “worm’s-eye” details of individual buildings. Coupled with rigorous funding requirements and documentation, with environmental and Historic Preservation reviews, the process is lengthy, but ultimately leads to lasting and meaningful results.

The Kirkside Project in Roxbury stands as a flagship for this vision. Slated to become a premier hospitality training center and entrepreneurial incubator, the historic estate is being repurposed to serve as a cornerstone for economic development. The project will partner with educational institutions such as SUNY Delhi and ONC BOCES to host a residential culinary fellowship program, creating a community destination that also serves as a regional job creator.

Beyond Kirkside, the grant portfolio includes a $490,000 New York Main Street grant for property renovations in Roxbury and over the past two decades the Town, apart from the recent MARK grant, has been investing in critical water and sewer infrastructure in both hamlets. These fundamental upgrades are the unseen backbone of revitalization, expanding capacity for new businesses and housing to flourish.

In the most recent activity, Ellsworth and her crew were meeting with architects at the Kirkside estate to finalize technical plans for the upcoming construction phases.

At the same time, the Grand Gorge Community Action Group is preparing Key beautification and revitalization projects in the hamlet this summer. And the MARK Project recently awarded $426,000 to four buildings in the center of Grand Gorge as part of the DRI Small Project Fund. This transition from planning to action marks a pivotal moment for the community, as the millions of dollars in “invisible” awarded funds finally become visible on these two Main Streets. But the planning isn’t over yet, Requests for Proposals are being solicited for engineering and architectural services for the rehabilitation of the Grand Gorge Civic Center and the Playing Fields and Playground. The Town will also be seeking engineering firms for Sidewalk Repair and Replacement in both communities. This is a long, arduous process as the Town begins to solicit easements from homeowners and DOT to work on the walkways. 

“After years of planning, collaboration, and persistence, we are now entering the most exciting phase of the DRI process—the phase where communities begin to see tangible results. The projects selected by the State for funding will strengthen our economy, preserve our historic assets, and create new opportunities for future generations. This is not the end of the process; it is the beginning of a new chapter for Grand Gorge and Roxbury,” Ellsworth explained.

With this renaissance comes the perfect moment to smarten up local streets, celebrate shared roots with a fresh look, and give both of these charming upstate hamlets the spotlight they’ve long deserved.

State decisions on DRI Final Awards - The 12 Roxbury and Grand Gorge DRI projects, totaling $9.7 million, include:

Revitalize The Grand Gorge Civic Center & Fields: Update an existing community facility to include a new HVAC system, new windows and roof, accessible bathrooms and enhancements to recreational fields.

Improve Downtown Sidewalks and Streetscapes: Repair and replace critical sidewalk locations to enable accessible pedestrian access to downtown Grand Gorge and downtown Roxbury.

Redevelop Former Historic Reed Hotel into a Mixed-Use Building: Restore an existing historic hotel structure to accommodate commercial and office uses.

Renovate and Expand the Catskill Scenic Trail System: Enhance the existing rail trail and extension to the existing Train Depot in Roxbury.

Develop Cottage for Student Housing at the Inn at Kirkside: Redevelop an existing structure into student housing for a career development and hospitality entrepreneurial incubator campus.

Establish a Downtown Small Project Fund: Establish a building renovation program to provide matching grants to individual downtown buildings to upgrade facades, install new signage and undertake interior renovations.

Increase Downtown Visibility with Branding and Marketing: Market the DRI Area through website updates, branding, signage, print materials and a social media presence.

Enhance the Roxbury Arts Center to Expand Year-Round Programming: Enhance and renovate an existing historic structure to accommodate year-round arts performances and improve building accessibility.

Redevelop 53530 Route 30 into a Mixed-Use Building: Renovate an existing building to accommodate retail, residential and entrepreneurial uses.

Expand Existing Yoga Facility to Provide On-Site Accommodations: Construct approximately four short-term cabin rentals and a shared bathhouse for visitors to an existing yoga studio.

Renovate the Roxbury Liberal Arts Mixed-Use Building: Renovate an existing structure to accommodate gallery and exhibit space with a kitchen and outdoor decks and patios.

Expand Animation Studio’s Carriage House Facility: Convert an existing carriage house into a stop-motion animation studio and offices to expand capabilities for an animation studio.