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memo 3 pages

Also attached to this agenda item: NY Forward Presentation

Village of Croton-on-Hudson New York Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building One Van Wyck Street Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520-2501 To: From: Emily Giovanni, Assistant to the Village Manager Date: August 27, 2024 Re: NY Forward Awards and Key Initiatives for Selected Communities Mayor Brian Pugh Trustees Nora Moriarty Nicholson Ian Murtaugh Cara Politi Len Simon Village Manager Bryan T. Healy Village Treasurer Daniel Tucker Village Clerk Pauline DiSanto Governor Hochul has announced the third round of the NY Forward program, which is dedicated to providing funding to smaller communities for revitalizing their downtown areas while enhancing connectivity, safety, and aesthetics. This year, NY Forward will invest $100 million, with each of the State’s ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) having the option to recommend two communities for $4.5 million awards. The evaluation of applications for New York Forward (NYF) funding will be based on the following key criteria: 1. Eligible Applicants: Applicants must either have submitted a letter of intent or be certified as a Pro-Housing Community before applying. They can also apply for Pro-Housing certification simultaneously with the DRI/NYF application, with certification required before the award announcement. 2. Well-Defined Boundaries: The downtown area should have clear, compact, and easily walkable boundaries, which can range from corridors to central business districts. 3. Past Investments & Future Potential: Applicants must demonstrate readiness to build on prior investments or catalyze future ones. Evidence includes nearby REDC projects, developable properties, municipal commitment, infrastructure capacity, and alignment with Smart Growth and green development. 4. Recent or Impending Job Growth: A crucial factor is job growth near the downtown, supported by public and private investment, diverse job opportunities, and accessible employment centers. 5. Quality of Life: The downtown must offer livability for diverse populations, with affordable housing, accessible amenities, multi-modal transportation, and community spaces, among other desirable qualities. 6. Supportive Local Policies: The municipality should have or be able to implement policies promoting livability, Smart Growth, and sustainability. This includes modern zoning codes, energy-efficient policies, and non-discrimination laws. 7. Public Support: A strong community engagement process must be demonstrated, showing public commitment to the revitalization vision and proposed projects. 8. Transformative Project Opportunities & Readiness: Applicants should propose projects ready for near-term implementation and leverage additional funding. The readiness of key properties, developer interest, and the capacity to manage small project funds are also considered. 9. Administrative Capacity: The municipality must demonstrate the capacity to manage planning processes and project implementation. Four communities in our Mid-Hudson region have already been awarded funding. Below is a summary of their projects: Village of Montgomery - $4.5 Million Award (Round Two): Located in Orange County, with a population of approximately 4,521 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Montgomery’s revitalization plan includes: 1. Wallkill River Linear Park ($350K) 2. Wallkill Pedestrian Bridge linking Village and Town ($1.8M) 3. Veteran's Memorial Park Upgrades ($850K) 4. Sidewalk Repairs and Upgrades ($475K) 5. New Sidewalks & Bike Lanes ($725K) 6. Municipal Parking Development ($1-1.5M) 7. Lamppost Initiative & Placemaking ($500K-$800K) 8. Trees & Landscaping ($150K-$250K) 9. Building Improvement Grants ($250K-$500K) 10. Wayfinding & Branding ($150K-$250K) Village of Highland Falls - $4.5 Million Award (Round Two): Located in Orange County, with a population of approximately 4,056 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Highland Falls’ initiatives include: 1. Sidewalk and Bike Lane Improvements ($2M) 2. Main Street Façade Renovations ($3M) 3. Downtown Branding and Marketing ($500K) 4. Waterfront Access via Station Hill Road ($1M) Village of Sleepy Hollow - $4.5 Million Award (Round One): Located in Westchester County, with a population of approximately 10,666 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Key initiatives include: 1. Strand Theatre to Community Center Renovation ($1.5M) 2. “Plaza Nueva” and Morse School Park Redesign ($1M) 3. Cortlandt Street Streetscaping ($1.2M) 4. Affordable Housing at 100 College Avenue ($500K) 5. Façade Improvement Fund ($300K) Village of Cornwall - $4.5 Million Award (Round One): Located in Orange County, with a population of approximately 1,911 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Cornwall’s focus areas are: 1. Pollinator Connector Trail ($1.13M) 2. Storm King Theater Renovation ($773K) 3. Riverlight Park Transformation ($783K) 4. Donahue Farm Preservation ($649K) 5. Dock Hill Road Trail Construction ($480K) 6. Small Project Fund for Businesses ($300K) 7. Branding & Wayfinding Strategy ($382K)