New York Construction Report staff writer
White Plains will receive $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), and Highland Falls and Montgomery will each get $4.5 million each to transform their downtowns.
“Local communities’ downtowns are part of what makes New York State vibrant and great,” Governor Hochul said. “These initiatives not only provide communities with the necessary funding to revitalize their downtowns, but also helps them feel seen and heard by the state. Helping uplift the areas around the Hudson River will drive tourists in and make residents excited about where they live.”
The City of White Plains DRI application—entitled, “The Heart of White Plains”—focuses on the traditional urban core. The area has numerous multi-family developments, the soon to be redeveloped Galleria and City Center shopping malls, a restaurant row and hospitality center and the busiest Metro North train station in the lower Hudson Valley.
Projects identified by the community focus on green affordable housing, community gathering centers, safe and accessible pedestrian and bike infrastructure and interconnectivity between the downtown and an adjacent low-/moderate income neighborhood.
White Plains has been awarded $10 million in state funding and investments to revitalize its downtown neighborhood and generate new opportunities for long-term growth following the local planning process. They join Middletown, Kingston, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Haverstraw, Ossining and Port Jervis, which were Mid-Hudson winners in the first six rounds of the DRI.
A local planning committee with municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will create a redevelopment plan, with input from private sector experts and state planners. They will identify opportunities for economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with each community’s vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation.
Highland Falls and Montgomery
The Village of Highland Falls’ application will build on and expand past incremental downtown improvements, particularly those that have supported its 2020 Local Waterfront Revitalization Strategy. Projects identified include multi-modal improvements to enhance traffic flow and safety, main street façade renovations, branding and marketing and expanded access to the waterfront.
The Village of Montgomery will focus on projects to improve connectivity among the Village’s downtown parks and green spaces, improve streetscape safety and walkability, preserve historic structures, enhance the gateways into the community and improve wayfinding, signage and branding.
Highland Falls and Montgomery will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns.
Funding will be awarded for selected projects from the Strategic Investment Plan that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.
