Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)
Survey deadline September 15, 2022
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative or DRI is a New York state-funded grant that gives communities between $10 and $20 million dollars to bring life to their downtowns. The DRI is a cornerstone of the State's economic development program. In its fifth year, the DRI will invest $200 million in up to 20 downtowns statewide. Eligible communities can submit an application for a DRI grant. The state’s ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) then select a winner based on the potential of the community’s downtown for transformation. Within each region, the REDC will nominate either two downtowns to receive $10 million each or one downtown to receive an award of $20 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community’s vision for revitalization.
The Town of Cortlandt will be submitting a DRI grant application in 2022. To prepare the DRI application, the Town Board has established a DRI committee comprised of Cortlandt residents, business owners, Town Board members and Town Staff. In addition, the Town Board has retained KG&D Architects to provide professional planning and architecture services in support of the application. The DRI Committee includes the following members:
- Dr. Richard Becker, Town Supervisor
- Frank Farrell, Town Board Member
- Chris Kehoe, Director of Planning
- Rosemary Boyle-Lasher, Assistant to the Director of Planning
- Michelle Robbins, Assistant Planner
- George Oros, Economic Development Consultant
- Jill Davis
- Adam MacNeil
- Sabrina Pereira
- Basil Kazepis
- Tricia Delamater
- Warren Smith
- Dominick Saladino
- Suzanne Grossberg
Grant applications of successful DRI grant communities typically include the following desirable attributes:
- Well-defined downtown boundaries
- Past investments, future potential
- Recent or impending job growth
- Quality of life
- Supportive local policies
- Public support
- Transformative opportunities and readiness
- Administrative capacity
Committee Meeting 3/22/22
The Town held its first DRI Committee Meeting on 3/22/22. Please see presentation and video below.
Committee Meeting 5/24/22
Please contact us with questions or comments at: DRI@townofcortlandt.com