The Cannery
The Cannery
About the Project
The long-vacant 62,000 square-foot former can factory and 42,000 square-foot industrial building that dominated the north side of the village were impediments to the revitalization of Fairport.
To the new owners though, those buildings represented opportunity. But redevelopment of the property would include environmental remediation initiatives, significant sewer, infrastructure, site, building, and tenant improvements.
“A lot of people thought the vision was crazy,” said Matt Lester, managing partner of Fairport Cannery LLC. “But we saw the potential.”
Working with the developers, the Fairport IDA drafted a custom PILOT agreement with sales and mortgage tax exemptions to assist the project. Total private investment in the redevelopment was $14,250,000 with over 110 new full-time equivalent jobs projected within the first two years.
Now the former warehouse/industrial buildings are a vibrant and exciting mixed-use destination with retail, restaurant, office and flex space. In 2021, The Cannery was named as one of the Rochester NY region’s Coolest Spaces by Rochester Business Journal.
Key Takeaway
Collaboration with developers with the shared goal of creating a signature project in the heart of the village to attract new businesses and create new jobs.
“The village of Fairport’s economic development group has embraced the project,” Lester said. “Most municipalities would have put the development team through the ringer. Fairport was like, ‘What can we do for you?”
Success Stories
Sterling West
What began as a simple façade improvement project in 2004, resulted in the demolition of 2 buildings and the construction of what has become a signature project in the heart of the Village. The Fairport Urban Renewal Agency supported this project with a $300,000 low-interest loan and a façade grant. The total project cost was $1,200,000.
Iron Smoke Whiskey
Iron Smoke Whiskey, founded in 2011, is a small-batch craft distillery. Enjoying success, the distillery needed a larger location. Working with Fairport Local Development Corporation, a suitable site was identified, and Iron Smoke relocated to the Fairport location in 2014. The project was assisted with a low-interest loan for renovations, build-out costs, fixtures, and equipment. The total project cost was $850,000.
Fairport Landing
Developed through Urban Renewal programs in the 1970’s, the 120,000 square foot Fairport Landing shopping center had served as a key component of the Village’s commercial corridor. Due to shifting retail trends and lack of investment, the property was experiencing significant vacancy.
Bicentennial Canal Gateway Project
In 2018, the Fairport Industrial Development Agency committed $500,000 to assist with the Fairport Bicentennial Canal Gateway Project which would dramatically transform the banks of the Erie Canal in the heart of the Village. Capitalizing on local assets to create appealing and unique places where people want to live, work and play, the project objectives included improved pedestrian access to the canal, a diversity of recreational opportunities and enhanced connections from the neighborhood to the Main Street corridor.