Greene County Round 8 DRI and NY Forward Projects

A Total of $14.5 in Projects Funded

On May 8th, 2026, ten projects were announced for the Village of Catskill, the Round 8 winner of a $10 million DRI award.  Seven projects were announced for the Village of Athens, a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.

The Village of Catskill

The Village of Catskill offers an exceptional experience with a combination of striking historical architecture, a walkable Main Street and waterfront accessibility with the spectacular Catskill Creek at the center of the community. The walkable one-by-one-half mile Downtown Creek District encompasses the Village’s central downtown. With a mix of stores, restaurants, businesses, cultural venues and residences, it is the heartbeat for the Village and the broader region. The Village plans to continue expanding downtown offerings and create an even more vibrant and active community.

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

• Activate Live Performances at the Community Theater at 373 Main Street ($525,000): Finish the second phase of improvements at the historic Community Theater at 373 Main Street to fully support live performances and community events. The project will build out back-of-house spaces, upgrade audience amenities and modernize building systems so the theater can operate as a year-round regional arts and entertainment venue.
• Catskill’s Advancement for New Downtown Opportunities (CANDO) Small Project Fund ($570,000): Create the CANDO Fund to provide grants for small-scale building improvements and business investments within the Catskill DRI area. The project supports façade and interior renovations, upper-floor activation, equipment purchases and building system upgrades that strengthen downtown’s commercial and mixed-use fabric.
• Convert 104 Water Street to Mixed-use Creative Space and Art Studios ($455,000): Convert the long-vacant industrial building at 104 Water Street into a mixed-use creative hub anchored by Cone Zero Ceramics, with studios, classrooms, and flexible arts space. The project activates a waterfront property with cultural programming, education, and small business activity that support Catskill’s growing creative economy.
• Develop an ADA-Accessible Small Craft Launch on West Main Street ($186,000): Create an ADA-accessible small craft launch and improved public access point on Catskill Creek next to Catskill High School. The project will provide a safe, formalized entry to the water for kayaks and other small craft and invite more residents and visitors to enjoy the creek.
• Enhance the Village Streetscape Along Main Street and West Bridge Street ($2,373,000): Improve Main Street and Black Bridge with new sidewalks, lighting, trees, crosswalks, and public amenities to create a safer, more accessible, and attractive corridor for residents and visitors. The project strengthens the village’s main commercial corridor and better connects downtown businesses, community spaces, and the Catskill Creek.
• Transform Bridge Street Theatre at 44 West Bridge Street ($1,588,000): Renovate and upgrade facilities at Bridge Street Theatre at 44 West Bridge Street to better accommodate performances, arts education, and community events. The project modernizes both indoor and outdoor areas to strengthen Catskill’s role as a regional arts destination.
• Activate the Village of Catskill with a New Wayfinding and Signage System ($432,000): Install a coordinated wayfinding and signage system throughout downtown Catskill to help residents and visitors easily locate Main Street, Catskill Creek, parks, historic sites, and cultural destinations. The project reinforces Catskill’s local culture and encourages people to explore local businesses and attractions.
• Renovate 455 Main Street to Facilitate Expanded Services by the MHA of Columbia Greene Counties ($1,102,000): Rehabilitate and reconfigure the Mental Health Association of Columbia Greene’s building at 455 Main Street to improve youth clubhouse, family services, community space, and supportive housing. The project enhances a critical downtown hub for counseling, advocacy, and recovery services serving local youth, families, and residents.
• Develop Mixed-use Workforce Housing and Commercial Space at 506 Main Street ($1,000,000): Transform the Village-owned “Park for Paws” site at 506 Main Street into a mixed-use development with income-restricted apartments and ground-floor commercial space for local businesses and artists. The project delivers new affordable and workforce housing on Catskill Creek while activating the street with neighborhood-serving retail.
• Renovate the Historic Catskill Public Library at 1 Franklin Street ($1,469,000): Renovate and modernize the historic Catskill Public Library at 1 Franklin Street to address accessibility, safety, building system, and program space expansion needs while preserving its architectural character. The project upgrades interior and exterior spaces to better support contemporary library services, community programs, and year-round public use.

The Village of Athens

Athens is a quintessentially charming village with a unique laid-back vibe that sits on the west bank of the Hudson River. It is connected to world-class art, culture, recreation and choice of housing that attracts visitors, boaters and artists. The Village has already worked to make downtown more walkable, welcoming, resilient and climate adaptive – making it primed for the NY Forward program. The community’s vision is to remain a welcoming village that celebrates family and community.

The 7 Athens NY Forward projects, totaling $4.5 million, include:

• Develop a Public Garden and Restaurant along the Hudson River ($550,000): Transform a long-vacant riverfront property into a vibrant destination anchored by a public garden and a flood-resilient restaurant and bar, fostering a dynamic space for cultural, ecological, and community engagement along the Hudson River.
• Create a Hudson River Access Hub in Riverfront Park ($870,000): Transform Riverfront Park into a comprehensive “river access hub” featuring expanded docking for additional boats, relocated ADA-compliant kayak launch with storage, stamped concrete walkways, and integrated ferry/water taxi facilities to centralize waterfront access and boost downtown economic activity.
• Expand the Capacity and Accessibility of the Athens Cultural Center ($722,000): Renovate a historic 1830s building into a fully accessible three-story community arts facility, with infrastructure upgrades including elevator installation, structural reinforcement, complete second and third floor buildouts, roof replacement, and compliance with accessibility and life safety codes.
• Renovate the Brooks Opera House to Accommodate a Restaurant, Event Venue, and Apartments ($870,000): Renovate the Brooks Opera House to restore its original cultural function with a first-floor restaurant/brewery, second-floor event venue, and new third-floor apartments, serving as a community gathering place.
• Create a Small Projects Fund ($300,000): Promote investment in exterior facades and interior upgrades through the availability of small-scale grants to improve the functionality and aesthetics of downtown buildings and businesses.
• Redevelop the Trinity Church Building into a Wedding and Events Venue ($491,000): Restore the Trinity Church Building including exterior painting and facade work, interior repairs, electrical system upgrades to code, HVAC and plumbing modernization, and accessibility improvements to preserve its historic character while transforming into an events venue focused on small weddings.
• Improve the Waterfront Intersection at N Water St. and 2nd St. ($697,000): Transform an underutilized intersection in the heart of the waterfront district into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly hub that connects the park, business district, and waterfront. Streetscape improvements will enhance access, safety, and community use while supporting local events and economic activity.