ESD Announces Unveiling of Transformed Globe Building in Downtown Watertown

September 26, 2025

BOCES is located on first floor; market-rate apartments on second floor

View photos of the completed project here

Empire State Development today announced the official unveiling of the refurbished Globe Building in downtown Watertown, with first-floor space for BOCES Career & Technical Education and Adult Education programs and 11 market-rate apartments on the second floor. This downtown anchor building, located at 302 Court Street, was targeted for redevelopment within Watertown’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) plan and received $558,000 in state DRI funding. The $4 million adaptive reuse of the Globe Building, coupled with the BOCES expansion, complements other workforce and community development efforts in the region.

“This $4 million investment has breathed new life into the historic Globe Building, transforming a long-vacant downtown eyesore into a vibrant center for learning and living,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “This Watertown project is a powerful example of how Governor Hochul’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative is strengthening communities across the state by turning old spaces into new opportunities.”

“We are thrilled to be able to bring our rapidly growing workforce development programs to downtown Watertown in this beautifully restored space,” said Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida (Jefferson-Lewis) BOCES District Superintendent Stephen Todd. “We are deeply grateful to Empire State Development and all of our key partners for making this possible, as it will be good for our high school and adult students, and it will also be good for our local employers in the healthcare industry.”

“The commitment from Empire State Development along with other critical stakeholders in the project provided the necessary support to make this project a success,” said 302 Globe, LLC Partner Dan Queri. “We are excited for BOCES, downtown Watertown and all of the students, faculty and staff that will utilize the newly renovated space.”

The Globe Building has been vacant, blighted and underutilized for years. Jefferson-Lewis BOCES has signed a lease for 13,000 square feet—100% of the commercial space— to expand opportunities for high school students to learn job-ready skills and prepare for future career opportunities. BOCES has seen a 35% increase in students taking trade classes over the past three years, going from 1,000 students to 1,400. Classes at the Globe Building began earlier this fall, coinciding with the start of the 2025-26 school year.

The BOCES expansion into Downtown Watertown was made possible with support from Empire State Development, the City of Watertown, Jefferson County, and the Jefferson County Local Development Corporation. BOCES also credits Watertown Savings Bank, the Watertown Local Development Corporation, and the Development Authority of the North Country for their support of this project.

While Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) provided the construction financing, the Watertown Local Development Corporation (WLDC) is serving as the permanent financing partner at completion. Upon closing, WLDC will have $400,000 invested in the project, matching DANC’s contribution. Partnerships like this demonstrate how economic development agencies make transformative projects possible.

Watertown Local Development Corporation CEO Kylee McGrath said, “The Globe’s transformation is a turning point for Court Street. Revitalizing a blighted building and bringing BOCES downtown adds new energy and creates a positive anchor for the street.”

Development Authority of the North Country Executive Director Carl E. Farone, Jr. said, “The renovation of the former Globe building stands as a strong example of how public and private collaboration can drive meaningful community transformation. The Authority is proud to have partnered with New York State, Watertown Savings Bank, and the Watertown Local Development Corporation to revitalize this building to bring BOCES and market rate housing to downtown Watertown.”

City of Watertown Mayor Sarah V. C. Pierce said, “Built in the 1920s, the Globe Building was once a cornerstone of downtown Watertown before falling into disrepair. Today, we celebrate not just the restoration of this historic landmark, but its rebirth as a vibrant hub of energy and learning, thanks to a partnership with BOCES. I extend my deepest gratitude to Dan Queri of 302 Globe, LLC, our dedicated City staff, and our community and government partners at every level who helped make this important project a reality.”

The DRI project is in alignment with other downtown investment, including: the Jefferson Community College / Neighbors of Watertown restoration of the former Strand Theater and Lamon Buildings on Franklin Street, supported by $2.5 million in DRI funding from ESD, now completed; the $27.5 million Watertown Family YMCA project to repurpose a vacant, 89,000-square-foot building in the heart of downtown Watertown, supported by a $3.6 million ESD capital grant; and the now-completed redevelopment of 138, 152-154, and 170 Court Street, supported by a $990,000 state Restore New York grant awarded to the City of Watertown.

The City of Watertown was named a Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Round 2 winner for the North Country region in 2017. Other DRI winners in the region include Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake, Potsdam, Massena, Tupper Lake, Ticonderoga, Lowville and Malone.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced the availability of another $100 million for Round 9 of the DRI, as well as another $100 million for Round 4 of NY Forward, which the Governor created in 2022 to serve New York’s smaller and rural communities. Round 9 applications are due November 7. To date, the State has awarded a total of $1.2 billion to 151 communities through both programs.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was launched in 2016 to accelerate and bolster the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for increased local investments. Led by the Department of State (DOS), DRI communities benefit from partnerships with and coordinated technical assistance provided by the Department of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR), Empire State Development (ESD) and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA). The DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate and ongoing implementation.

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