MONTICELLO, NY— Gov. Cuomo’s office has announced grants totaling $2.5 million, which will go to restore three properties in the towns of Rockland and Liberty and the Village of Liberty. The grants, from a project called Restore New York Communities Initiative, were announced on March 26.

The Village of Liberty will get $1 million to restore the Liberty Theater, which has been boarded up for years and sits at the heart of the village. The restoration of the theater began recently with the removal of numerous sheets of plywood that had walled off the building. When the renovation is complete, the theater is expected to host live performances as well as feature films. There will also be new retail and commercial space connected to the project.

Another award went to the Town of Liberty, which will receive $500,000 to help revitalize Main Street in the Hamlet of Parksville, which has seen new investments since Route 17 was moved out of the middle of town several years ago. This grant will be divided among three projects: part will go to help complete the development of a facility for roasting coffee and a gallery on Main Street, owned by Randy Makiej; part of it will go to help Todd Perlmutter launch a beer garden; and part will go to the renovation of a Main St. building for a café and inn.

Town of Liberty Supervisor Brian Rourke said, “These grants mark the beginning of a new era for Liberty. For decades we have reflected on the glorious past, but with this new opportunity and other renewed energy, it is time to enthusiastically embrace our future. I cannot thank the governor’s office, Sen. John Bonacic, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and the Sullivan County Division of Planning enough for its belief and support of our community. To the great people of Liberty, this is a signal to come together, get to work and to begin to transform our town into the community that we all deserve.” 

“The fact that we scored not one but three grants—covering five projects—is testament to the hard work and skill of our planning division,” said Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Luis Alvarez. “I particularly want to thank Gov. Cuomo and the Restore NY team for recognizing the need in our corner of the Catskills.”