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The remaining projects include improvements to Willard Memorial Chapel and the rehabilitation of 22 E. Genesee St.

Sydney Fischer, executive director of the Willard Memorial Chapel's Community Preservation Committee, told ÓÐÁϺÐ×Ó the project, which received $267,500 in DRI funds, consists of multiple phases. The interior was painted and spotlights were installed inside the chapel. Nine chandeliers, which Fischer said had not been cleaned in 130 years, were scrubbed with cotton swabs and toothbrushes.

With the chandeliers shining brighter and the addition of the spotlights, the improved lighting has already made a difference. Willard Memorial Chapel hosts between six and 12 weddings a year, according to Fischer, and nearly every wedding party would comment about the need for better lighting.

"Since we've had this completed, we've already seen a huge increase of people coming in and booking the chapel right away," Fischer said.

The lighting also impressed docents and visitors at the chapel. It's a welcome change for performers, too. The chapel hosts concerts and Fischer said they've used floodlights in the past.

The next phase of the project will focus on the exterior of the chapel. Fischer said the improvements will include 15 new parking spaces and the installation of an accessible sidewalk from Nelson Street to the building.

Fischer called the sidewalk the most important part of the project because it will make entering and exiting the chapel easier for all visitors.

"I'm here for the weddings, so I see grandma and grandpa can't go outside and take pictures because we don't have the sidewalk for it," Fischer said. "That's going to be a huge step, not only for weddings but for our tourgoers and anyone who wants to come in for our events, too."

The city of Auburn was awarded the DRI grant in 2018. The following year, it finalized a list of 13 projects that would be supported by the $10 million prize.

Entering 2025, eight of the projects were already completed. The notable projects included the construction of a new fire station and the State Street plaza.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held for two more projects this year. The Cayuga Museum of History & Art and the Schweinfurth Art Center opened the new West End Arts Campus in May. That same month, the Seward House Museum unveiled its rehabilitated carriage house and barn.

One of the city's DRI projects was canceled. Health Central would've received $385,000 for renovations, but that project was affected by delays during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was shifted to the arts campus project.

Aside from Willard Memorial Chapel, the other remaining project is at 22 E. Genesee St. R&M Real Estate Group was awarded $625,000 to rehabilitate the vacant building into a mixed-use development with apartments and retail space.

Joe Bartolotta, senior managing director of R&M Real Estate Group, did not respond to calls and an email from ÓÐÁϺÐ×Ó.

Speaking on behalf of Willard Memorial Chapel, Fischer thanked the city for expanding the downtown area to include the historic building.

"We have so much rich history in (Auburn) between Harriet Tubman and William Seward. I feel like a lot of people in our community the last thing they think of is a total Tiffany chapel interior," she said. "The DRI has allowed for more of a spotlight to be on our project, the chapel, what we are and what we do."