Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Lyons Downtown Historic District in Wayne County has been granted a designation on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation will encourage economic development in the Lyons community and allow for repairs and revitalization in the historic district.
“The Lyons Downtown Historic District is one of New York’s treasured communities along the Erie Canal and this designation on the National Register of Historic Places will benefit the Town of Lyons by allowing revitalization and restorations of their historic buildings,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud to have pushed for this designation, and I will continue to fight in the Senate to make sure New York’s incredible historic sites have the resources they need to succeed.”
In January, Gillibrand wrote a letter calling on the National Park Service to add the Lyons Downtown Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places.
The text from Gillibrand’s letter is available here and below:
January 23, 2018
Mr. Michael T. Reynolds
Deputy Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Mr. Reynolds,
I write in support of the nomination of the Lyons Downtown Historic District for designation on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation will encourage economic development in the Lyons Community.
The Town of Lyons is located in Wayne County between the City of Rochester and Syracuse. Originally settled in the late 1700s, the Town was renamed in 1796 after Lyons, France. The Town grew in population due to the cultivation and processing of peppermint oil, as well as manufacturing. The Erie Canal, along which the nominated Historic District lies, played an instrumental role in the development of the Town. The Town features architectural elements of the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor, with styles ranging from the Romantic to the Modern Eras.
This designation will greatly benefit the Town of Lyons, allowing for revitalization and restorations of Lyons’ historic buildings, two of which are already on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Granting this designation will have a cascading effect throughout the Lyons community, supporting community redevelopment efforts and the area’s tourism economy.
I ask that you please give this application your full consideration. If you have any questions, or desire further information, please do not hesitate to contact my staff member, Laura Driscoll at (202) 224-4451.
Sincerely,