NORWICH – City of Norwich officials are working in conjunction with museum directors and engineers in hopes of embellishing some of the city's most historic sites.

City Mayor Joseph Maiurano on Monday met with administrators of the Chenango County Historical Society and Northeast Classic Car Museum to discuss strategies that could improve the city's museum district, a designated area that spans one-tenth of a mile from the railroad crossing on Rexford Street to the intersection of Rexford and Silver streets.

The Chazen Companies, an engineering firm based in the City of Troy, was recently contracted with by the Norwich Common Council to develop a planning report of the museum district. The $7,247 contract, paid for by a $90,000 NY Brownfield Opportunity Areas program grant awarded to the city in October, will provide city officials with preliminary designs and cost estimates of a project.

Despite the area’s long standing as a museum district, officials say there's little streetscape appeal to lure in visitors. The benefit of close collaboration, they argue, is the ability to change for the good of the museum district and for the city as a whole.

“Our purpose is not just to encourage people to visit the museum but also encourage investment in the area,” said Bob Jeffrey, Executive Director for the Northeast Classic Car Museum.

Norwich's museum district encompasses three institutes: the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS); the Northeast Classic Car Museum; and the Bullthistle Model Railroad Society – all of which are located on Rexford Street. While each organization oversees its own marketing, museum directors say they would certainly benefit by working together with help from the city to obtain available state grants that could help beautify the district.

The city may submit a funding application on behalf of the museum district to multiple state agencies in the future, including one to the state Department of Transportation for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award. TAP funding could be used for construction of new sidewalks, curbs, lighting, signage and landscaping within the street right-of-way.