Page 44 - 2023 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
Cultivating and Advancing Talent Evolving Downtowns
Revitalizing Westchester’s Downtowns
New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and serve as magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity.
Top: Downtown Ossining’s Barlow Block and Post Office parking lot on Main Street.
Above: Hudson River through the ‘Eye
of Sauron,’ located at Henry Gourdine Park and Downtown Ossining’s Barlow Block via the Peace Sign in Sassinoro Plaza on Main Street
• Constructing a multi-modal transportation center to provide vehicle parking, as well as bicycle infrastructure to accommodate parking and charging, to support infill development and decreased reliance on vehicle use.
• Enhancing Streetscaping in the Station Plaza Neighborhood to facilitate greater connectivity through improved streets and widened sidewalks, as well as connectivity between the waterfront and upper Main Street.
• Designing and constructing a new Market Square Plaza as a central outdoor gathering space for the weekly Farmer’s Market, events and concerts.
Here’s a look at the impact the DRI is having on three Westchester communities.
Ossining: Revitalization Starts
With Community
In December 2021, the Village of Ossining was awarded a $10 million DRI grant and has launched its Downtown Strategic Investment
• Preserving and renovating the Historic Olive Opera House Building to allow for flexible workspaces, studios and a performance space.
• Upgrading the Louis Engel Waterfront Park Performance Space with a new, covered state-of-the-art performance space.
• Transforming the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center into a state-of-the-art facility for intergenerational recreation and learning.
“We have long understood that Ossining’s unique assets form a solid foundation on which to build. We have
a rich history, but so much more: a progressive social structure, abundant public amenities, engaged residents, a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, an entrepreneurial and innovative business community, and a commitment to the arts. rough this DRI grant, Ossining’s vision is to continue to build
on our successes and strengthen our assets, particularly in areas where investment will have the greatest economic impact. Funding and technical support through the DRI will further this vision, transforming Ossining for tomorrow and beyond.”
—Ossining Mayor Rika Levin
Plan to advance key revitalization efforts. Rivertown will leverage the DRI to fund an array of public assets to foster placemaking, diverse housing options, business development, public gathering spaces, recreation, access to the waterfront and to mass transit. is includes:
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© Gregory Perry © Gregory Perry
© Ossining Police Lieutenant Brendan Donohue