Au Sable Forks targeted for revitalization

JAY | Town officials are looking to apply for a New York Main Street (NYMS) grant to help revitalize downtown Au Sable Forks. "We are the northern gateway into the Adirondacks. It's where the Town of Jay starts; it's where Essex County starts; and people drive through it to get to Lake Placid," said Supervisor Matt Stanley. "We've got to encourage growth if we want to be able to boost tourism and lower taxes." The grant, if awarded, would support projects such as facade and storefront improvements; interior renovations for commercial or residential units; and streetscape enhancements, including signage, benches, and greenery. To move forward, the town sought input from property owners along Main Street, with several responding, said Stanley. "We want Main Street to look more vibrant so that we can start getting more people to stop in town." The town plans to apply for between $200,000 and $300,000 in funding, said Stanley. Last year, officials applied for a $300,000 NYMS grant and didn't win. "We were told last year that nobody who applied for the grant the first time received funding," he continued. "So, it looks like this year should be a better chance for us to win something." This revitalization effort aims to increase foot traffic, boost local businesses, and improve the overall economic vitality of Au Sable Forks, all while preserving its historic buildings and unique character. The Town of Jay — named after then New York governor, General John Jay — was established in 1798 after it separated from the Town of Willisborough. In 1837, the J&J Rogers Company purchased the Sable Iron Company, marking the beginning of the community's growth in Au Sable Forks. As technology and the economy evolved, the J&J Rogers Company established a paper mill, which became the town's principal employer. Its demise essentially changed Au Sable Forks from a thriving mill town to a bedroom community. In 1925, a fire destroyed the entire community center. While quickly restored, the replacement structures were universally constructed of brick, stone, and concrete in an effort to preclude a similar catastrophe, a historical event that helped shape Au Sable Forks today. As time progressed, the local and regional economy transitioned from an agricultural and industrial base to a tourism and service-oriented base, and the Au Sable River shifted from an energy provider to a recreational resource. "In some sense, this transition has been slow and painful, and the economy has suffered in the short term. However, community leaders and concerned citizens have decided to take a proactive approach in shaping the future," as stated in the Au Sable Forks revitalization plan from 2024. "By seeking a grant, [...] an important initiative has been undertaken to identify a community vision and develop a plan for the preservation, enhancement, and development of the Main Street corridor and the Au Sable Forks downtown."

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Au Sable Forks targeted for revitalization

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