Governor Hochul Announces 25 Transformational Projects in Mid-Hudson as Part of Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Programs

Projects Announced in Poughkeepsie, Dobbs Ferry and Nyack

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced awards for a total of 25 transformational projects for the Mid-Hudson Valley as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward.   

Ten projects were announced for Poughkeepsie, the Round 8 winner of a $10 million DRI award; six projects were announced for Dobbs Ferry, a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award; and nine were announced for Nyack, also a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award. 

“I am thrilled to announce that the Mid-Hudson Valley will break ground on over two dozen new projects with this funding,” Governor Hochul said. “With these investments, Mid-Hudson Valley residents can expect upgraded civic, commercial and cultural spaces for families to take advantage of and more housing to drive down costs in their neighborhoods.” 

DRI and NY Forward communities developed Strategic Implementation Plans (SIPs), which create a vision for the future of their downtown and identify and recommend a slate of complementary, transformative and implementable projects that support that vision. The SIPs are guided by a Local Planning Committee (LPC) comprised of local and regional leaders, stakeholders and community representatives, with the assistance of an assigned consultant and DOS staff, all of whom conduct extensive community outreach and engagement when determining projects. The projects selected for funding from the SIP were identified as having the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth. 

Poughkeepsie 

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. This critical zone not only serves the residents living in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, but hundreds of thousands from beyond its municipal borders, including numerous commuters who converge on the Poughkeepsie Metro North Station daily. Legendary entertainment and hospitality venues — including the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center and the former Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel — draw visitors to the City throughout the year. Bridging its prosperous past with a vibrant future, the 'Queen City on the Hudson' is reshaping its historic core as a welcoming hub for diverse local businesses, nonprofits, public art and high-quality affordable housing.  

The 10 Poughkeepsie DRI projects, totaling $9.7 million, include: 

• Revitalize 316 Main Street with a New Mixed-Use Development ($1,000,000): Construct a new building at 306 and 316 Main Street with residential units and retail space targeted toward a grocery store.
• Convert Market Street to a Two-Way Street ($1,230,000): Convert Market Street to a two-way street, changing to a single lane in each direction, with improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including a protected 2-way cycle track. 
• Construct New Mixed-Income Housing at 488 Main Street ($1,451,000): Construct a new mixed-use, mixed-income building with apartments and ground-floor commercial space at 488 Main Street.
• Restore the Former Catherine Street Community Center for Community Matters 2 ($603,000): Restore and reactivate the vacant Community Center at 69 Catherine Street for use by Community Matters 2, a nonprofit youth and community service organization.
• Establish a New Multi-family Rental Community at the Site of Pelton Manor ($1,250,000): Establish a new multifamily rental community at the site of Pelton Manor, which will include residential buildings and the restoration of the historic Pelton House.
• Transform 27 High Street with Adaptive Reuse and New Construction to Create a Mixed-Income Development ($1,000,000): Transform the vacant former Dutchess County office building at 27 High Street with adaptive reuse of the existing building and new construction to create a mixed-income residential development.
• Develop Vacant Buildings at 47 and 51 Cannon Street into a New Mixed-Use Development ($1,500,000): Create a new six-story mixed-use development with residential units, commercial space and an underground parking garage at 47 and 51 Cannon Street.
• Convert the Former Cigar Factory into Workforce Housing ($1,000,000): Convert the vacant former cigar factory at 15 North Cherry Street into workforce housing with adaptive reuse and new construction.
• Launch a Public Arts Program to Establish Poughkeepsie as a Vibrant Arts City ($350,000): Establish an art-based public improvement strategy for the DRI area. Install murals, sculpture and other media at underutilized and strategic sites throughout the DRI Area.
• Activate the Underutilized Concession Bar at the Poughkeepsie Train Station with a New Cafe and Cocktail Bar ($316,000): Establish the Grand Concourse cafe and cocktail bar at the historic Poughkeepsie Train Station.

 Dobbs Ferry 

Downtown Dobbs Ferry is a traditional historic, walkable downtown located along the Hudson River. The Village is a dynamic hub of activity, culture and opportunity that is home to a diverse population and a bustling array of businesses. From key municipal services to thriving local establishments, Dobbs Ferry’s downtown plays a pivotal role in the daily lives of its community members. With its proximity to schools, colleges and other significant institutions, the area has become a central gathering place for both residents and visitors alike. The Village seeks to fully realize its potential by redeveloping and improving key properties and opening space in the downtown area and the pedestrian corridor linking the Metro-North station to the downtown. The Village will also expand economic and cultural opportunities and create a more sustainable, walkable and vibrant downtown. 

The 6 Dobbs Ferry NY Forward projects, totaling $4.5 million, include: 

• Expand the Historic Pickwick Theater to Serve as a Cultural and Social Anchor Within the Downtown ($739,000): Implement Phase II of the Pickwick Theater renovation project to increase seating capacity and add lighting and a digital screen to accommodate diverse programming opportunities in the space. This phase also includes the installation of rooftop solar panels.
• Rehabilitate the Historic Structure at 143 Main Street into a Mixed-Use Building ($508,000): Preserve and restore an existing historic mixed-use building to accommodate a ground floor commercial use and residential units above, while incorporating Passive House construction measures.
• Redesign Lower Memorial Park with New and Improved Park and Recreation Amenities ($1,041,000): Transform the underutilized portions of lower Memorial Park into a vibrant open space by adding amenities, such as covered bicycle parking, an informational board/kiosk, pickleball courts, a bathroom facility, park benches and tables, ADA accessible paths and landscaping.
• Transform a Vacant Space at 145 Palisade Street into a Performing Arts Center ($1,000,000): Renovate a vacant space at 145 Palisade Street into a black box theatre to permanently house a dance company and accommodate multidisciplinary performance, rehearsal and education.
• Implement a Unified Downtown Signage System to Improve Multimodal Wayfinding ($350,000): Install a unified downtown signage system with consistent branding to create a recognizable identity for the downtown and guide residents and visitors to the downtown's commercial corridors and key destinations.
• Extend Streetscape Improvements on Lower Main and Cedar Streets to Enhance the Pedestrian Environment of Downtown ($862,000): Create a cohesive pedestrian environment by extending the completed upper Main Street streetscape south between Chestnut and Walnut Streets and along Cedar Street from Main to Broadway (U.S. Route 9). Improvements may include the installation of street trees, benches, lampposts and upgraded sidewalks as well as roadway repaving and restriping.

Nyack 

The Village of Nyack, nestled along the Hudson River just north of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, is a vibrant community celebrated for its artistic, inclusive spirit, walkable downtown, and scenic waterfront views. Its historic downtown is home to an economically and culturally diverse population and offers a mix of local shops, restaurants, and cultural venues which draw visitors from across the region and support a thriving community atmosphere, making the downtown well poised for growth. These qualities enhance the Village’s appeal as a vibrant destination, drawing visitors and residents alike to experience the natural beauty and urban convenience it offers. Ample cultural resources and waterfront parks make Nyack a popular tourist destination and a great place to live. Nyack seeks to leverage its unique history and geography through investments in cultural spaces, waterfront development, business support, and public spaces, catalyzing further private investment and leading to increased employment and an improved tax base. Taken together, these investments will make Nyack exemplify the “live, work, play” ideal.  

The 9 Nyack NY Forward projects, totaling $4.5 million, include: 

• Renovate the Angel Nyack Sanctuary Space to Expand Use for Arts and Events Programming ($951,000): Renovate the building’s former sanctuary space to include new HVAC system, flooring, millwork, and electrical upgrades to facilitate use for arts and performance programs, weddings and other events.
• Activate the Waterfront by Constructing a Restaurant and Open Space ($1,250,000): Construct a one-story casual restaurant building with outdoor dining deck and public open space with seating, landscaping, and game areas to activate waterfront and provide connections to the marina.
• Improve and Restore Downtown Buildings with a Small Project Fund ($540,000): Establish a Small Project Fund dedicated to revitalizing building facades, upgrading building interiors, purchasing permanent equipment or installing public art.
• Connect Downtown Nyack and Boost Tourism with a Comprehensive Branding, Marketing, and Wayfinding Initiative ($450,000): Develop a new brand for downtown Nyack accompanied by a marketing strategy and wayfinding signage to encourage visitation to and circulation within downtown.
• Renovate the Nyack Center to Enhance Use of the Auditorium ($138,000): Modernize the auditorium's stage and sound and lighting systems to create a professional-grade space and upgrade outdoor lighting.
• Renovate the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center to Expand Programming ($305,000): Restore the Edward Hopper House exterior, upgrade garden theater and infrastructure, and renovate the art lab to expand programming.
• Modernize the Elmwood Community Playhouse ($305,000): Conduct an exterior facade renovation and technical upgrade of the existing lighting and sound systems to enable expansion of programming.
• Improve Pedestrian Experience in Downtown Nyack with Lighting and Sidewalk Upgrades ($480,000): Add approximately antique light poles along North and South Broadway and enhance a portion of Main Street slightly east of Broadway with a widened sidewalk and two tree pits.
• Create a Mural on the Rockland County Pride Center to Celebrate the History of Nyack ($81,000): Celebrate the history of Nyack by engaging the community in the creation of a mural on three sides of the Rockland County Pride Center building.

To receive funding from either the DRI or NY Forward program, localities must be certified under Governor Hochul's Pro-Housing Communities Program, which recognizes and rewards municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential and encourages others to follow suit. After becoming certified, localities have exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding, including DRI and NY Forward. Since the launch of the Pro-Housing Communities Program, funds awarded to Pro-Housing Communities throughout the state have supported up to 20,000 more homes. To date, more than 410 communities across New York have been certified. 

Many of the projects funded through the DRI and NY Forward support Governor Hochul’s affordability agenda. The DRI has invested in the creation of more than 5,000 units of housing — more than 2,000 of which (40 percent) are affordable or workforce housing. The programs committed $9 million to 12 projects that provide affordable or free childcare and childcare worker training. The DRI and NY Forward have also invested in the creation of public parks, public art – such as murals and sculptures — and art, music and cultural venues that provide free outdoor recreation and entertainment opportunities.