August 24, 2023
Dear Friends,
Warm Greetings! The Community Partnership promotes people working together to strengthen the economic vitality of rural Southern Washington County by building on the area’s character and assets. We have a history of empowering and bringing together a myriad of talents, leveraging resources and working collaboratively with the public, private and non-profit sector to further build a sustainable, vibrant rural community.
We invite you to join us. We need your financial support at this critical moment to continue with this mission. With your help we will be able to continue to encourage sustainable neighborhood planning and facilitate downtown revitalization projects—by rehabilitating and celebrating historic community assets and expanding cultural and recreational opportunities for the region.
Since we last wrote in late 2022, the Community Partnership has been busy planning for and revitalizing the Lumberyard (a component of the Owlkill Commons Revitalization Initiative). Specifically, we’ve been:
- Transforming 9 West Main’s façade and first floor with the help of talented local contractors.
- Refreshing the adorable cottage which will be the temporary home of Henry’s Barber Shop while renovations in 9 West unfold.
- Receiving the donation of and readying VARAK park for the incredibly vibrant Sunday Farmers’ Market—once again located in the commercial heart of the Village.
- Planning for efforts to promote public access to and better steward an amazing, inviting stretch of the Owl Kill—including exploring options to naturalize the stream near the historic Green Footbridge and creating a .55 mile walking trail.
See the newsletter for more details.
The Community Partnership was also a catalyst and key partner in the Village of Cambridge’s selection as a New York Forward community for its Owlkill Commons Revitalization Initiative—which will advance the Commons as magnet for people to live, work, play and explore– with a $2.25 million injection of funding—expected to be awarded in 2024 to a myriad of local project sponsors.
What makes this particular moment critical for your donation? Momentum has been built and talented contractors are in action. We need your support to complete 9 West Main Street within the next several months. We seek to complete the rehabilitation without the benefit of grant funds—reserving monies from NY Forward for other projects within the community.
How to donate? Send a check by mail (see enclosed envelope) or pay by credit card via Pay Pal (see Donate button below). We are a 501(c) 3 organization so donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Interested in learning more? Please visit our website or give me a call at (518) 677-3555 or join an upcoming tour Sunday, September 10th at 12 pm starting at the Green Bridge.
With your support, we will continue to unleash the vibrancy of the Lumberyard and advance the Village as a NY Forward community—where people work, live, play and connect!
Sincerely, Sarah Ashton On behalf of the Community Partnership Board
Board Members:
Sarah Ashton, President Jeff Goldstone Gerry Preece
Phil Bell, Vice President Sara Kelly Lucas Sconzo, Secretary
Brian Gilchrist Rick Lederer-Barnes Benjie White
Luke Goldreyer Naomi Marsh Alan Wrigley, Treasurer
We work hard to secure the maximum amount of available grant monies and are grateful for the success we have had in doing so. Nevertheless, local community donations are critical and essential – and grant monies are often directly tied to the amount of local funding we can secure. 100% of donated funds become “working dollars”; we have zero overhead.
Please help us advance the mission and initiatives of Cambridge Valley Community Development and Preservation Partnership, Inc.
Donate now through PayPal
mail checks to:
Cambridge Community Partnership (or CVCDPP)
P.O. Box 72
Cambridge, NY 12816