Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today secured the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior's approval of $150,000 for the renovation of Owego's historic municipal building located at 90 Temple Street.  Hinchey, who is a member of that panel, requested the funds for renovations of the building as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior Appropriations bill.  
 
"There's no question that the municipal building on Temple Street in Owego is in need of serious repairs," Hinchey said. "These federal funds will give this historic building the long overdue facelift it desperately needs so that the community will once again look upon this building with the pride and admiration it deserves.  These federal funds will also spare Owego taxpayers from the full cost associated with this much-needed project"

This historic building currently houses the Village of Owego Police Department and Justice Court. The building was originally acquired from the Owego school system in 1910. In 1980, the building was added to the National Historic Registry, but has not sustained any exterior renovation since that time. These renovations will restore the historic integrity of the building and bring it into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.

The Fiscal Year 2010 Interior Appropriations bill is expected to come before the full House Appropriations Committee for a vote next week.  Having the funds included in the initial version of the bill is considered a critical step in the process.