On March 12th, Greene County received $14.5 million in one day! New York state announced that the Village of Catskill will receive $10 million in funding under the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and $4.5 million for the Village of Athens through NY Forward.
The release states that the Village of Catskill “offers a singular experience with a combination of striking historical architecture, a pedestrian-scale 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. Potential DRI projects being planned include a mix of public and private, from infrastructure improvements to new housing to historic renovations, in order to create new cultural and commercial spaces which together will help further the creative and economic revitalization along this corridor. This will advance the Village’s, and the Capital Region’s, broader economic development goals, and breathe new life and energy into Catskill and the region to support a sustainable and enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors.
President of the Village of Catskill Board Joseph Kozloski said, “We are deeply honored to receive this award from Governor Hochul and the New York State ESD Team. This recognition not only validates our ongoing efforts to revitalize Catskill but also underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable growth and enhancing our community’s quality of life. With the DRI funding, we are excited to further transform our downtown into a vibrant hub that attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and creates new opportunities for our residents. We are grateful for the state’s support and look forward to working together.”
Matthew Luvera, Greene County Legislator for Catskill and Majority Leader, notes “Our village is an exceptional community of both residents and businesses. We are all very pleased with the investment being made through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and after many years of applying, we are looking forward to putting the program to good use for the benefit of everyone who lives, works and visits Catskill.”
The Village of Athens will receive $4.5 million in NY Forward funding and is described in the release as “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. They plan to do this by upgrading Second Street at the heart of downtown by improving ADA compliance, increasing foot traffic to local businesses and supporting arts and culture; increasing river access; and increasing choice of residences, homes and apartments that are accessible and affordable.
Village of Athens Mayor Amy Serrago said, “This award is a game-changer for the Village of Athens, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We’re incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul and the Capital Region Economic Development Council for seeing the potential in our wonderful, historic Hudson River village. NY Forward brings with it the opportunity for a revitalized downtown with a robust cultural community, a climate resilient riverfront park and economic growth through the creation of more affordable homes and better jobs closer to those homes. I’m excited to get to work on making our plans a reality!”
Greene County Legislator for Athens James O’Connell says “There is no question that the community of Athens will benefit from these capital resources from NY Forward. Private investment from home and business owners continues to make our village a wonderful destination and a great place to live. This public funding will give us a real boost in our efforts to enhance our community.”
Catskill and Athens will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI and NY Forward grant funds in revitalization projects that are poised for implementation, will advance the community’s vision for their downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state’s investment.
