- Reimagine, re-create: Transform Community Arts at the KAC
Renovate the Kirkland Art Center (KAC) into a modern, accessible community arts facility. The KAC will rebuild the old barn structure to include a state-of-the-art pottery studio, children’s dance studio and spaces for traditional and visual arts programming. The KAC will also add a new culinary arts studio and stabilize the historic church structure.
August 2025 Update: The Kirkland Art Center has finalized its DRI contract with the NYS agency of Homes and Community Renewal and hired a grant administrator, Heritage Resources LLC, to manage the process. The required conditions report for the barn is underway, and the environmental survey will follow. The request for qualifications for an architectural firm is expected to go out shortly.
2. Reimagine the Village Green
3. Construct New Apartment Building on Lewis Road
Construct apartments and townhomes on historically vacant land. The project adds approximately 40 units of affordable housing in the DRI area in a desirable and walkable area.
August 2025 Update: The sponsor of this project is in the Planning Board review process and hopes to start construction by the start of the fourth quarter of the year. They are currently working on site development and architectural drawings.
4. Build New Apartment(s) Community on Remediated Brownfield at Taylor Ave. and Utica. St.
Build a small apartment community on a vacant brownfield at the north end of the Village of Clinton. The project expands and diversifies the village’s housing stock by adding approximately 30 new townhomes.
December 2025 Update: Buildings are numbered 1–6, beginning with Building #1 as you enter the site from the west on McBride Ave. The numbering continues clockwise around the site.
Building #1
- Slabs have been poured
- 1st floor exterior framing is mostly complete
- 2nd floor framing will be starting next
Building #2
- Excavation complete
- Foundations poured
- Plumbing rough-ins appear complete
- Underslab finish grading and concrete still to come
Despite steady progress, the site was snow-covered during the visit, and it’s clear that the cold, snowy early winter has slowed things down. ❄️
Stay tuned for more updates as the project continues to take shape!
October 2025 Update: Current work is focused on installation of underground utilities, site grading, installation of fill material to bring site up to grade for building elevations per design and installation of retaining wall at north end of site. All stormwater silt fencing in place.
To date, 6” water main has been brought to the site; apartment community fire hydrant has been installed in the future parking divider location between BLDG#1 and #2.; sanitary lines have been installed at the north end of site including cleanouts located near BLDG’S 1, 2 and 3; and retaining wall is approximately 40% complete.
Sub-fill is being placed at BLDG#1 site to bring level up bottom of slab grade in preparation to begin building foundation installation in the coming two weeks.
August 2025 Update: The sponsor of this project has conducted a site plan review and received approval from the Planning Board to move forward. Demolition of several vacant structures has already taken place. Final approval from the state funder of this project is expected soon.
5. Convert Vacant Commerical Space into a New Craft Hard Cider Operation at 43 College St.
Convert a former commercial laundry facility into a local craft cider operation. The project creates an offshoot of the Clinton Cider Mill dedicated to the production of craft hard cider using locally sourced fruit pressed at the Mill’s Elm Street location.
August 2025 Update: The hard cider facility at 43 College St is in the process of working with an architect to finalize the design of the space. The sponsor is also looking at options to improve the functionality and the exterior appearance of the building with a tasting room and a large exterior mural.
6. Expand the Clinton Cider Mill for Year-Round Operation in its 100th Year
Expand the existing retail space with a new, climate-controlled, ADA-compliant addition that will include an expanded outdoor seating area, indoor dining space, customer bathrooms and a wheelchair lift into the building.
August 2025 Update: The Cider Mill project on Elm St is in the process of a slight redesign with the help of architects to better encapsulate the sponsor’s current vision for the project. This will include some redesign of the current space in addition to new construction, and possibly a large outdoor art piece. The sponsor is also completing two independent building projects (a new storage structure and a large parking expansion) to help prepare for the larger DRI work. The goal is to have the projects completed in time for the Cider Mill centennial year in 2027.
7. Expand Amenities at the Kirkland Town Library to Reflect Emerging Needs
Create a public incubator and makerspace, a gathering space and a mural to respond to emerging needs in the community.
August 2025 Update: The Kirkland Town Library submitted its contract to New York State. The next step will be developing an RFP and reviewing proposals.
8. Building New Housing at 17 Kirkland Ave
Construct a new apartment building, providing much-needed residential space in a neighborhood and improve the quality and quantity of the Village’s housing stock.
July 2025 Update: The sponsor of this project has updated the original plans and decided to self-fund the construction of four new apartments on the same location. Construction is already underway. A meeting was held in early July to provide recommendations to the state for how the DRI funds could be reallocated.
9. Establish the Clinton Kirkland Small Project Fund
The Clinton Kirkland Small Project Fund will be accessible for businesses and non-profit organizations to conduct building upgrades, such as facades or interior upgrades.
September 2025 Update: Click here to read the press release – CKIC announces Small Project Fund Awards
August 2025 Update: As required by the state agency that is providing the funding for this project, a consultant (LaBella Associates) has been retained to help administer the Small Project Fund. The deadline for businesses and organizations to submit final applications for a share of the funds recently passed. A project review committee is scheduled to make funding decisions in the coming weeks.
10. Create Complete Streets for All
Implement a series of complete streets improvements to increase walkability and accessibility in key areas. Improvements will be made along Franklin, Elm, Norton, Kirkland and McBride.
August 2025 Update: The Town of Kirkland is pursuing an engineering study and final cost estimates to install sidewalks on Franklin Avenue. The sidewalks would connect with those currently being installed along Meadow Street as part of the NYS Department of Transportation project, providing safe, accessible pedestrian access, especially for residents of Clinton Manor Apartments and Mohawk Valley Apartments.
11. Placemaking through Branding, Marketing and Wayfinding
Enhance the visibility of the Clinton Kirkland downtown area and small business community through a large-scale branding and marketing campaign and the installation of wayfinding signage.
August 2025 Update: The Chamber is working through the contracting phase of the project and hopes to have that completed in the coming months.
Clinton Kirkland Improvement Corporation 