NORWICH – Help is on the way for the James S. Flanagan Research Center on Rexford Street in Norwich to finish a building project started more than three years ago.

When the newly refurbished research center at 43 Rexford St. opened to the public in February, 2013, everything was in place to relocate the county historian’s office to the first floor, along with a small area for locals to research museum archives. The second floor became home to hundreds of paintings and archives, including those of Norwich Pharmaceuticals, that were once housed at the neighboring Chenango County Historical Society museum.

But money was tight when the $850,000 multi-year renovation project was just shy of being completed, and the elevator that was included in the building design was never installed. The center has since obtained an certificate of occupancy for the first floor of the facility but not the second floor, meaning that space is still largely underutilized, said CCHS Director Meghan Molloy.

Following a public hearing held last week, the City of Norwich Common Council threw its support behind a proposal to apply on behalf of CCHS for a New York State Office of Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) not to exceed $60,500. If awarded, the grant would fund installation of an elevator at the research center to allow access of the second floor by the elderly and the mobility impaired. Officials say the estimated $60,000 project aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan to support community development.