Changes have already begun with the renovation of the historic Harold, Rosenbaum and Marvin buildings in downtown Elmira. But, the renovations won't stop with the roof. As our Katie Husband reports, plans for the Water Street location have both city officials and local business owners excited.

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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Vacant storefronts and empty apartments is what you see at the former Harold, Rosenbaum and Marvin buildings on the west end of Water Street. But changes are nearing, sooner than expected.

"They have had some activity. They've been cleaning up, they're putting a roof on the building now, they're doing some structure work for the roof to stabilize it and you'll see more activity as we go along," said Sue Skidmore, Elmira Mayor.

More activity is what small businesses like next door Simply Candles by Katie hopes for.

"With the way the economics are around here, it's a pretty tough area," said Shane Burdick, marketing director Simply Candles by Katie.

The Harmony project plans to bring in more storefronts, a daycare and apartments on the second floor. Simply Candles by Katie will be moving into the newly renovated building after the work is completed.

"So, we're looking at taking the old Harold's building and that's going to provide us with a lot more space, a lot more showroom. It's going to give us a chance for a lot more activity at least for the public to come in and make their own candles and they'll be able to see us do our hand carved candles," said Burdick.

The business has only been on Water Street for a month and is excited for the Harmony project and how much more it will do for the business.

"By us creating ten full time positions anyway here it's going to be nice, a lot more foot traffic for us, just more people downtown. We definitely need it here," said Burdick.

And that's why Mayor Skidmore is excited for what this project will bring.

"Those residents will need to have other services to support the residential units and just to make it a place to live. So, we'll see more, we'll see growth, people will be coming," said Skidmore.

Interior work is expected to start this coming winter.