Elmira, Geneva among winners in the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Elmira and Geneva are among the winners in New York’s $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, according to separate news releases that the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued Thursday.

The program seeks to “transform communities ripe for development into vibrant neighborhoods where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live and work,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo says.

The program, first presented in Cuomo’s 2016 State of the State address, will invest $10 million into 10 downtown neighborhoods across the state.

New York’s regional economic-development councils are selecting the winning downtown areas.

Elmira is the Southern Tier’s contest winner of the $10 million prize, while Geneva captured the $10 million prize in the Finger Lakes region.

In each case, the award will include up to $300,000 in planning funds for private-sector experts to work with a local planning committee to draft a “strategic”-investment plan that will identify specific economic development, transportation, and housing and community projects.

Other winners in recent announcements include Plattsburgh in the North Country; Westbury in the Long Island region; and Middletown in the Mid-Hudson region.

The regional winners
With its award, Elmira will focus on attracting new businesses and skilled workers; strengthening arts and cultural attractions, expanding housing options for all income levels, and developing amenities to “support and enhance” downtown living and quality of life.

The plan will include a “greater variety” of retail and housing, improving the aesthetics of downtown and “capitalizing” on natural assets such as the Chemung River.

Elmira Mayor Daniel Mandell called it a “great day” for the city of Elmira, thanking Cuomo and the regional economic-development council for the “opportunity to further develop our downtown area.”

“This $10 million will help us build on what makes this city so special by investing in our dynamic and lively downtown community and transforming it into an attractive destination for residents, businesses, and college students,” Mandell said in Cuomo’s news release about Elmira’s win.

With its funding, Geneva will focus on the rehabilitation of key buildings; diversification of housing and retail options; access to healthy food; and building entrepreneurship in the downtown area.

Geneva’s downtown area is not only its “most central” business district but a “major employer” of the city’s residents, Geneva Mayor Ronald Alcock said in Cuomo’s news release about Geneva’s win

“This award is a critical investment that will bolster our city’s job growth, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, and transform Geneva into an economic engine for the entire Finger Lakes region. I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership and look forward to witnessing the coming transformation of our city as we move forward,” said Alcock.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com