Projects Announced in the Villages of Pulaski, Chittenango and Marathon
Localities Must Be Certified Under Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities Program To Receive DRI or NY Forward Funding
Project Renderings Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced awards for a total of 25 transformational projects for Central New York as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward. Eleven projects were announced for the Village of Pulaski, the Round 8 winner of a $10 million DRI award; eight projects were announced for the Village of Chittenango, a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award; and six were announced for the Village of Marathon, also a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.
“New York is continuing to drive investment in its downtowns and develop long-lasting opportunities for their future through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward,” Governor Hochul said. “The Villages of Pulaski, Chittenango and Marathon will focus on transformational projects that will shape Central New York’s infrastructure for new and current residents, as well as the incoming workforce. Affordability doesn’t stop at putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets — we’re focusing on unlocking housing potential and building out childcare and business opportunities for generations to come.”
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, including the Villages of Pulaski, Chittenango and Marathon.
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.
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.