Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant communities where New Yorkers want to live, work and raise families.

In its third year, the program will invest $100 million into 10 additional downtown neighborhoods across the state. Participating communities are nominated by the state’s ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) based on the downtown’s potential for transformation, and each community is awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community’s vision for revitalization.

The DRI is chaired by New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, and supported by private sector experts funded by Empire State Development, and a state agency team from the Department of State and the NYS Homes and Community Renewal. Other agencies are also involved in reviewing and implementing projects.

Communities selected in Round Three of the DRI:

• Capital Region – Albany
• Central New York – Auburn
• Finger Lakes – Penn Yan
• Long Island – Central Islip
• Mid-Hudson – New Rochelle
• Mohawk Valley – Amsterdam
• New York City – Downtown Brooklyn
• North Country – Saranac Lake
• Southern Tier – Owego
• Western New York – Lockport