Capital Region
Rensselaer
Seated along the Hudson River with sweeping views of the Albany skyline, the City of Rensselaer is set to transform its downtown into a vibrant, connected destination. The compact, walkable DRI district centers on the Columbia Street corridor, the Broadway business community and the Albany-Rensselaer train station – one of the busiest rail hubs in the nation, serving between 800,000 and 900,000 passengers annually – linking residents, commuters and visitors to opportunities across the Capital Region. Building on strong housing growth and new investments, the City aims to continue constructing a downtown that blends historic character with modern development, from waterfront apartments and adaptive reuse projects to expanded public amenities and cultural spaces. Rensselaer’s strategic location near major employers, State offices and regional healthcare institutions supports a diverse and growing workforce, while its relative affordability attracts new residents seeking connectivity and quality of life. A robust network of parks, trails and multimodal transit options strengthens access to recreation, employment and neighboring communities. Guided by community-driven planning — including the recently completed Rensselaer Rising Brownfield Opportunity Area Plan, funded by the Department of State — and a commitment to equity, sustainability and accessibility, the City is advancing a vision that reconnects neighborhoods to the riverfront and downtown core.
Central New York
Cazenovia
Nestled in the heart of Madison County, the Village of Cazenovia is a historic and picturesque community, known for its vibrant downtown, strong sense of place and exceptional quality of life. Anchored by the scenic Cazenovia Lake, the village blends natural beauty with a walkable downtown featuring small businesses and restaurants. In the process of building back after the closure of Cazenovia College in 2023, the Village aims to become a regional hub for economic activity, community gathering, cultural events and recreation. Drawing from extensive public input, Cazenovia has identified areas in downtown that, if addressed, would build upon the Village’s rich heritage and unique character while charting a forward-looking path that strengthens the village’s economic base, enhances livability and reinforces downtown as the heart of community life. Together, these initiatives will create a hub of living, working and recreation that will strengthen Cazenovia’s regional appeal and economic resilience. Cazenovia’s downtown, conveniently located near Syracuse, is poised to draw the next generation of families to live, work, and play in the area. An additional advantage for Cazenovia is the soon-to-be Micron facility, which will not only benefit the Central New York region but also the entire State of New York for years to come.
Mohawk Valley
Rome
Situated along the banks of the Mohawk River and the historic Erie Canal (where construction on the landmark project began in 1817), the City of Rome’s DRI plan links waterways, neighborhoods and industry to shape a new vision for downtown living. Building on progress made in the city’s downtown corridor through a Round 2 DRI award, the boundaries of the new DRI area focus on the City’s Brownfield Opportunity Area, where the legacy of the former General Cable Complex and East Rome neighborhoods converge along East Dominick Street. Once a vital link in a historic trade route, Dominick Street grew into a quintessential main street, and today it stands ready to reconnect neighborhoods, businesses and waterfront destinations. Framed by two miles of canal and riverfront, the district is reemerging as a place where recreation, heritage and daily life converge in a distinctly memorable setting. Along Bellamy Harbor and the Mohawk River, public spaces, trails and gathering places already draw residents and visitors for everything from daily life to events.
With strategic investments, including the recently announced Chobani dairy processing plant, and careful planning, long-underutilized sites are being prepared for new housing, shops and experiences that will bring energy back to the waterfront. Anchored by growing industry and rising demand, the City is poised to welcome a new generation of residents and businesses seeking both opportunity and quality of life. Rome continues to transform its historic waterfront into a dynamic, connected neighborhood that reflects both its deep past and its bright future.
North Country
Ogdensburg
At the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie rivers sits the City of Ogdensburg, one of New York State’s geographic gems with seven miles of waterfront, an international airport and a direct connection to Canada. At the core of the city is a compact and walkable downtown that holds both cultural and civic treasures, including the Ogdensburg Public Library, the Frederic Remington Art Museum, City Hall and waterfront recreation spaces, all within reach of one another, forming a living ecosystem of art, ambition and community spirit. Now, on the cusp of transformational investment, Ogdensburg stands poised to write a new chapter: a revitalized waterfront married to a thriving historic downtown, where new housing, retail and hospitality will activate the river’s edge and enhanced streetscapes will invite residents and visitors to experience the full downtown corridor. Having already laid the groundwork for this investment by restoring landmarks, modernizing infrastructure and uniting the community around a shared vision for the City’s future, Ogdensburg will be able to turn those dreams into a reality.