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.
Finger Lakes
Batavia
Strategically located between major regional centers, the City of Batavia stands as a thriving hub of commerce, culture and community in the Finger Lakes, where a revitalized downtown is once again becoming the heart of daily life. Building on the success of its previous Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, Batavia’s DRI 2.0 marks a bold next chapter, which will accelerate momentum and deliver visible, lasting results for residents, businesses and visitors alike. The first round of DRI investment helped unlock private development, modernize public spaces and establish a clear vision for a stronger downtown. Today, that vision is taking shape through new businesses, restored historic buildings and a growing residential base that brings energy to streets once defined by vacancy. With a focused strategy centered on housing, catalytic redevelopment, public space improvements and small business growth, Batavia is transforming underutilized sites into vibrant destinations that reconnect Main Street and strengthen the city’s economic core. Downtown Batavia is increasingly becoming a place where people gather, public spaces celebrate local history and creativity, and where safe, accessible connections link neighborhoods, recreation and opportunity. Backed by more than $50 million in identified projects and a proven track record of implementation, the City is poised to build on its success. As a repeat DRI winner, Batavia is not only continuing its revitalization, but also elevating it, shaping a dynamic, connected and economically competitive future.
Long Island
Valley Stream
The Village of Valley Stream’s “International Downtown” stands as a bold vision for the future of Long Island — where diversity, connectivity and opportunity converge in a vibrant, transit-oriented community. As one of the region’s most diverse municipalities, Valley Stream is redefining what a modern downtown can be: walkable, compact and welcoming to residents and visitors of all backgrounds, ages and stages of life. Strategically located near JFK International Airport, Belmont Park and major transit connections, including the LIRR, Valley Stream serves as a true gateway to Long Island’s South Shore. Its bustling Rockaway Avenue corridor and thriving mixed-use center around the train station anchor a downtown rich with local businesses, global cuisine and essential services, which are all supported by ongoing investments in housing, infrastructure and public space. Now, with the DRI, Valley Stream will be able to advance transformative projects that will shape its next chapter. Surrounded by an interconnected network of parks and trails and driven by a deep commitment to inclusivity and community engagement, Valley Stream is emerging as a dynamic hub of culture, commerce and quality of life, which is poised to lead the way in Long Island’s continued growth and revitalization.
Mid-Hudson
Yonkers
Situated along the east bank of the Hudson River just north of New York City, Yonkers is defined by innovation and reinvention, from its early days as an industrial powerhouse to its modern resurgence as a center of creativity and economic opportunity. Once separated from the river by industrial sites and highway barriers, the City began reclaiming its waterfront with the daylighting of the Saw Mill River, which restored natural habitats and created new public green spaces in the heart of downtown. Today, cranes rise where factories once stood, as housing, businesses and cultural attractions reshape the skyline. Anchors such as the Great Point Studios and its partnership with Lionsgate have helped establish Yonkers as a growing hub for film and media production, earning the City the nickname “Hollywood on the Hudson.” New mixed-use developments and waterfront public spaces are attracting residents, visitors and creative industries while expanding housing opportunities and supporting local businesses. Through its DRI vision, the City will further reconnect downtown neighborhoods with the Hudson River through expanded public access, walkable streetscapes and new cultural and recreational destinations. By building upon decades of environmental restoration, infrastructure investment and community collaboration, Yonkers is completing its evolution into a dynamic, inclusive river city where economic opportunity and quality of life continue to grow.
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.
New York City
East Williamsburg
East Williamsburg is home to roughly 62,000 residents and is shaped by a mix of residential life, local business activity, and nearby industrial uses. The neighborhood includes two Business Improvement Districts that support a wide range of small businesses such as restaurants, shops, salons, groceries, and pharmacies, many of which are locally owned and have long served the community.
This combination of commercial activity and industrial history has helped create a more affordable, diverse and closely connected neighborhood. It is also supported by longstanding community organizations with deep local ties and experience in housing and economic development, helping to guide continued investment and improvement in the area.
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.
Southern Tier
Ithaca
Ithaca’s downtown is the heart of the city, where creativity, diversity and opportunity converge to shape a dynamic future for both the city and the region. Anchored by one of the nation’s earliest pedestrian malls, the Ithaca Commons, and extending along the West State/MLK Jr. Street Corridor, the DRI area reflects both the city’s rich cultural legacy and its untapped potential for inclusive growth. Ithaca will unite these currently disjointed areas into a continuous, welcoming district that encourages exploration and strengthens community connections. Strategic investments will transform underutilized spaces into affordable housing, thriving small businesses and inviting public amenities that serve residents, college students and visitors alike.
This effort builds on more than $400 million in recent public and private investment while addressing pressing needs for housing, retail revitalization and multimodal connectivity. As the economic engine of Tompkins County and a regional employment hub drawing thousands of daily commuters, Ithaca’s prosperity directly supports the strength of the broader Southern Tier. Guided by principles of equity, sustainability and collaboration, the city is committed to shaping a downtown that reflects its unique identity while fostering long-term resilience. Through the DRI, Ithaca will cultivate a cohesive, arts-driven urban center that fuels innovation, supports local entrepreneurship and secures economic vitality for generations to come.
Western New York
Jamestown
The City of Jamestown has once again been selected as the winner for Western New York, after it was named the first winner for the region in 2016. Known as the “Prettiest, Grittiest, Big Little City,” Jamestown is a community rooted in resilience, creativity and a deep sense of civic pride. Its rich industrial heritage continues to shape a future built on innovation, culture, and opportunity. Strategic investments and strong partnerships have helped transform the City’s downtown, spurring new housing, business development and vibrant public spaces. Anchors such as the National Comedy Center have elevated Jamestown’s national profile while energizing its cultural economy. Building on the success of its first DRI award, the City’s next phase of revitalization will extend from its historic core to the shores of the Chadakoin River. This “Core to Shore” vision will connect downtown’s commercial, residential and cultural assets with its growing waterfront district. Guided by inclusive planning and bold community partnerships, Jamestown continues to build a welcoming City where residents, businesses and visitors alike can thrive.