Mackenzie Hughes Helps Local Municipality Earn $400,000 Grant

The Village of Fayetteville will now be able to finish building its existing 17-mile sidewalk system and implement a safety training program for school children that walk to school, thanks to a grant secured through the assistance of Mackenzie Hughes LLP.

The $400,000 grant awarded by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to the Village of Fayetteville was the largest grant awarded in Onondaga County, and one of the largest grants awarded to a municipality of its size in the entire State of New York. The grant “encourages children to adopt a more healthy and active lifestyle by making bicycling and walking a safer and more appealing transportation alternative.” “This is the largest grant ever received by the Village and it is especially significant because of the positive impact it will have on the entire community,” said Mark Olson, mayor of the Village of Fayetteville. “To be honest, I was skeptical that we would be eligible for such a large grant given the size of our community, but we are grateful for New York State’s recognition of the importance of this project.”

Construction of the sidewalks will begin in spring of 2009 and are expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2009 school year. Once completed, the sidewalks will connect to the 17 other miles of sidewalks located throughout the village, finishing a project that began in 1985. In addition to providing an alternative safe, economical pedestrian access to all the amenities the Village has to offer including schools, parks, village shops and the public library, Mayor Olson also expects the project to reduce traffic volume and improve the health of students who walk or bike to school. “This grant will allow us to accomplish all that we hoped to with this project,” Olson said. “I’m grateful to the Mackenzie Hughes team for writing the grant and working so closely with us to gather all the necessary supporting materials needed to put together another compelling grant application.”

Mackenzie Hughes launched its government grants practice in March 2007 and has assisted the Village of Fayetteville and other municipalities in securing over $650,000 in grants over the past year. Numerous other grant requests are pending. “It is gratifying to see our government grants practice making a difference for our clients,” said Jeff Brown, an attorney and partner at Mackenzie Hughes who oversees the firm’s grant writing practice. “The Village of Fayetteville was an excellent partner in making this grant a reality.”

The Mackenzie Hughes law firm traces its roots back to 1884, and over the years, its client roster has read like a veritable “Who’s Who” of Central New York businesses, including the original New Process Gear, Smith Corona Typewriter and Standard Oil companies. Today, the firm’s client list includes successful local companies and municipalities including the City of Syracuse, M & T Bank, the Oneida Indian Nation/Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Key Bank, RBS Citizens Bank, Alliance Bank, Adirondack Bank, CENTRO, Pyramid Companies, O’Brien & Gere Engineers, C&S Engineers, Stearns & Wheler, Cazenovia College, Crouse Hospital, Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company, Tully Hill Rehabilitation, RobsonWoese, Empower Federal Credit Union, SeaComm Federal Credit Union,, Pinnacle Investments LLC, Unity Mutual Life Insurance, OP-TECH Environmental Services, Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District, the Village of Manlius, the Village of Cleveland and the Town of Van Buren.

ne of the firm’s namesakes, William A. Mackenzie practiced law in Syracuse for 49 years. The other, Senator John H. Hughes, was a dominant figure in Central New York civic and political affairs. Eight of the firm’s lawyers have been elected or appointed to judgeships. As one of the state’s most respected and influential business law firms, Mackenzie Hughes’ reputation is based on its exceptional expertise in business and corporate law, including labor, finance, immigration, health care, real estate, land use, environmental and municipal services law. Its Internet address is www.mackenziehughes.com.