ALBANY, NY –
“New York City is writing one of the greatest comeback stories in its history, and it’s happening with groundbreaking investments in projects that will endure decades into the future,” stressed NY Governor Kathy Hochul on May 21, as she was announcing awards for a total of 13 transformational projects for New York City as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward.
Seven projects were announced for Long Island City, the Round 7 winner of a $10 million DRI award; and six projects were announced for Hudson Square, a Round 2 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.
“These projects will make our neighborhoods stronger and more vibrant — opening up doors of opportunity and ingenuity for the New Yorkers that call them home”, Hochul added.
The 7 Long Island City DRI projects, totaling $9.7 million, include:
- Redevelop the Metropolitan Building into a Creative Hub ($1,400,000): Implement interior fit outs on several floors of the now vacant historic Metropolitan Building, located at 44-01 11th Street, to create affordable workspace for artists and small businesses.
- Construct the New Queens Public Library Branch ($1,583,617): Implement interior fit out of a 4,525 sq. ft. space on the second floor of a new residential building located at 22-42 Jackson Avenue, to re-establish the Queens Public Library from its former Court Square location.
- Reconstruct the 46th Avenue Pedestrian Plaza ($2,500,000): Reconstruct the temporary pedestrian plaza, located at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and 46th Avenue, into a permanent open space with new plantings, furnishings, paving and artwork.
- Enhance the 12th Street Pedestrian Plaza ($695,000): Upgrade the existing pedestrian space, located on 12th Street between 43rd Road and 44th Avenue, with new surface treatments, trees, plant beds, shade structures, bike racks and street furniture.
- Construct the Underline Open Space at Dutch Kills ($2,425,000): Construct a playground and dog run to complement other planned amenities in the new public open space along the south side of Dutch Kills Street between Jackson Avenue and Sunnyside Yards.
- Renovate and Connect SculptureCenter to the Underline Open Space ($600,000): Construct a new entryway plaza and ADA-accessible ramp to enhance visibility and navigate the grade change between the SculptureCenter and the adjacent Underline open space.
- Greening and Cleaning LIC ($496,383): Improve streetscape throughout the DRI investment area by planting new trees, installing new tree pits, tree guards, rain gardens, planters, trash receptacles, container signage and dog bag dispensers, as well as upgrading existing tree pits.
The 6 Hudson Square NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:
- Build A Signature Open Space at Hudson-Houston Plaza ($867,000): Establish an interactive, engaging and welcoming new public space at the corner of West Houston Street and Hudson Street to activate an underutilized City parcel and provide critical green space along the active pedestrian corridor.
- Expand Spring Street Park with Little 6th Avenue Plaza ($744,000): Establish a permanent plaza on Little 6th Avenue between Spring Street and Dominick Street to expand the impact of the well-loved Spring Street Park, create space for community programs and establish an inviting entrance to the Hudson Square community from the east.
- Upgrade Film Forum’s Lighting ($75,000): Upgrade lighting throughout the Film Forum’s lobby, concession stand, offices and projection booth to reduce the organization’s energy consumption and costs while ensuring a high-quality customer experience.
- Create a Hudson Square Color Walk ($600,000): Create an interactive scavenger hunt, called the Color Walk, throughout Hudson Square that highlights local businesses, institutions and public spaces with colorful installations and a map. Install a public sculpture that relates to all color walk stations and serves as a starting point for visitors.
- Install a Jackie Robinson Statue in the Museum ($227,000): Install an 8-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Jackie Robinson in the Jackie Robinson Museum space on the corner of Canal and Varick Streets to honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, activate the ground floor of the Museum and create a point of interest that is visible from the prominent intersection.
- Renovate the NYC Fire Museum Event Space ($1,987,000): Renovate the NYC Fire Museum’s third-floor event space with new floors and ceilings, A/V equipment and HVAC system, allowing it to host fire safety classes, community events and private events that would help financially sustain the Hudson Square institution.
“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are transforming communities across New York State by turning local visions into bold investments to generate place-based economic development,” Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said. “These projects will create new opportunities for businesses, support vibrant public spaces, and attract residents and visitors alike – laying the foundation for sustainable growth and stronger regional economies”. According to a press announcement by Governor Hochul, DRI and NY Forward communities developed Strategic Implementation Plans (SIPs), which create a vision for the future of their downtown and identify and recommend a slate of complementary, transformative and implementable projects that support that vision. The SIPs are guided by a Local Planning Committee (LPC) comprised of local and regional leaders, stakeholders and community representatives, with the assistance of an assigned consultant and DOS staff, all of whom conduct extensive community outreach and engagement when determining projects. The projects selected for funding from the SIP were identified as having the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities f
