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Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that the city will receive $1 million for the project at 120 Genesee St. The funding is provided through the Restore NY Communities Initiative, a program to assist communities with projects that revitalize commercial and residential properties. 

The six-story building at 120 Genesee St. is in the heart of downtown Auburn and has been vacant since Chemung Canal Trust Co. moved in 2017. 

The owners, Felipe and Katherine Martin, are planning to renovate the building. The first two floors will consist of commercial space. The upper floors will include 14 apartments and a rooftop garden. 

Michael Palumbo, an associate real estate broker with Flaum Management Company, represented the Martins at an Auburn City Council in May. He told councilors that there are early discussions about placing a coffee shop, museum or restaurant in the commercial area of the building. 

The Martins, according to Palumbo, are committed to the project. 

"They are going to spend a considerable amount of their own money to make this a reality," he said. "But they do need some help." 

To assist the owners, the city applied for a $2 million grant through the Restore NY Communities Initiative. It was the second try at state funding for the project — the city applied for a grant last year, but it was not selected. 

City leaders are hopeful about the plans for 120 Genesee St. Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino toured the building and told Palumbo at the city Council meeting in May that he's excited about the project. 

"I just think it would be such a great addition to downtown," he said. 

Auburn has received millions in Restore NY Communities Initiative funding, including $8.5 million for the rehabilitation of the former Bombardier plant and $1 million for the Schine theater.