New York Construction Report staff writer
New York State has awarded the City of Poughkeepsie $10 million through its Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), marking a major injection of funding intended to accelerate long-sought redevelopment in the city’s downtown core.
Money can be used for various development projects, streetscape improvements, facade renovations and much more in the downtown area. Also, the Villages of Nyack and Dobbs Ferry were each awarded $4.5 million as the Mid-Hudson winners of the third round of NY Forward.
To receive funding from either the DRI or NY Forward program, localities must be certified under Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities Program — an innovative policy created to recognize and reward municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential. The City of Poughkeepsie was one of the first cities in the program.
“Receiving the Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding is a testament of what collaboration and cooperation looks like among the city administration, Common Council, and our government and community partners,” said Mayor Flowers.
“As a Councilmember and now Mayor, I witnessed years of careful planning and community collaboration that led us to completing a new comprehensive plan and new zoning code, which provides us with the blueprint for the growth of our city.”
The City of Poughkeepsie’s downtown corridor serves as the civic, commercial, entertainment and transportation heart for Dutchess County and much of Mid-Hudson Valley.
