Governor Cuomo Announces Staten Island as $10 Million New York City Winner of Fourth-Round Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Statement

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Staten Island will receive $10 million in funding as the New York City Region winner of the fourth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. As in the first three rounds of the DRI, one municipality from each of the state's 10 regional economic development regions is selected as a $10 million winner, marking another overall state goal to target $100 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise a family.

"Staten Island's downtown has made significant strides fostering business and tourism opportunities, and this investment will help further uplift this historic community," Governor Cuomo said. "Staten Island holds a special place in the story of New York City, and we look forward to seeing it continue to flourish in this next chapter."

"Staten Island is undergoing an economic renaissance, and our Downtown Revitalization Initiative capitalizes on the booming North Shore community," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "With this targeted investment, Staten Island will be able to continue turning the North Shore into a world-class tourist, retail and dining destination. The DRI is part of our ongoing strategy to create a brighter economic future across all of New York State and transform our communities into even better places to live, work and do business."

Staten Island

Staten Island's downtown core is the gateway to Staten Island for both visitors and residents. It provides prominent civic, commercial, and cultural assets connected by the central Bay Street Corridor running from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and historic St. George neighborhood to the rapidly developing Stapleton area. As the fastest-growing area in Staten Island, the neighborhood is on the cusp of a new era: business incubators and breweries are joining historic tourist destinations and an established civic center in bringing foot traffic to downtown streets, waterfront and mixed-used developments are creating a renaissance on the North Shore, and an unprecedented demand for businesses to locate downtown is transforming the suburban enclave into an expanding hub of economic activity. The DRI award will enable Staten Island to capitalize on this recent and rapid growth and focus development efforts on creating a connected world-class tourist, retail, and dining destination.

The New York City Regional Economic Development Council went through a competitive review process of proposals from communities throughout the region and considered all seven criteria below before recommending Staten Island as its nominee for winner:

-The downtown should be compact, with well-defined boundaries;
-The downtown is able to capitalize on prior or catalyze future private and public investment in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas;
-There should be recent or impending job growth within, or in close proximity to the downtown that can attract workers to the downtown, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;
-The downtown must be an attractive and livable community for diverse populations of all ages, including existing residents, millennials and skilled workers;
-The municipality should already embrace or have the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life, including the use of local land banks, modern zoning codes and parking standards, complete streets plans, energy efficient projects, green jobs, and transit-oriented development;
-The municipality should have conducted an open and robust community engagement process resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives that may be included in a DRI strategic investment plan; and
-The municipality has identified transformative projects that will be ready for implementation with an infusion of DRI funds within the first one to two years.

Staten Island's fourth-round DRI win entitles the city to receive $10 million in state funding and investments to revitalize its downtown neighborhoods and generate new opportunities for long-term growth. Staten Island now joins Jamaica, the Bronx, and Downtown Brooklyn, which were the New York City Region's winners in the first three DRI rounds, respectively.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, "From St. George to Tottenville, Staten Island is booming - and this Downtown Revitalization Initiative award will help ensure the gateway to this great borough continues to welcome visitors and residents alike. The team here at ESD looks forward to working with the Regional Economic Development Council, local leaders and our colleagues in government to make this initiative a success."

Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, "Governor Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a hands-on approach to bring investments to municipalities across the state. These projects are part of a smart economic development program that will foster a new outlook for Staten Island and will greatly improve its economy and the quality of life for the residents."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "This $10 million investment from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will help build a stronger future for Staten Island. Through this strategic program, Governor Cuomo is delivering new job and housing opportunities, business growth and more vibrant downtowns that is making New York's cities, towns and villages a better place to live and a destination for visitors."

Senator Diane Savino said, "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative will bring millions of dollars to the continuing transformation of Staten Island's North Shore. We are proud that our borough was recognized by Governor Cuomo as a place to foster economic growth and I look forward to seeing how this revitalization effort will benefit our community."

Assembly Member Charles D. Fall said, "I want to thank Governor Cuomo for this historic funding opportunity for the communities of the North Shore. I also want to thank Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Staten Island Downtown Alliance for the years of advocacy on behalf of downtown Staten Island. As we continue to strive for the revitalization of the North Shore for the residents, small businesses and visitors to Staten Island, this funding will serve as a major victory for public and open space, transportation, cultural and arts and retail opportunities. These are initiatives I have advocated for both in Albany and on Staten Island. We are taking Staten Island from the commonly referred to 'forgotten borough', to a vibrant 21st century borough."

Council Member Debi Rose said, "As downtown Staten Island becomes a destination for residents and visitors alike, this investment will bring together public and private sector stakeholders to develop a coordinated plan for our downtown. Most importantly, it will help ensure that our small businesses, which have driven our North Shore economy for generations, receive an economic boost from the development we are experiencing. I thank Gov. Cuomo and the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative for recognizing and leveraging our many community assets here on the North Shore."

Winston Fisher, Partner of Fisher Brothers and New York City Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair, said, "Every day, thousands travel through St. George, which has become a hub for both tourists and New Yorkers. The Regional Economic Development Council has previously identified Downtown Staten Island as ripe for investment, and this Downtown Revitalization award will compliment support from the state, the city and private developers, helping create a true renaissance on Staten Island."

Cheryl A. Moore, President & COO of the New York Genome Center and New York City Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair, said, "Staten Island offers everything from breweries and sports teams to suburban neighborhoods, and as the borough continues to grow, we must ensure there is thoughtful development in its downtown core. This award will achieve this goal - leveraging state investment to make an even larger impact across the borough."

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo said, "Thank you to Governor Cuomo for selecting Staten Island as the NYC Region winner of this Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Staten Island's most impactful successes have come about via genuine collaborations, and this victory is no different. I am proud to have brought the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and SIEDC together to work on this exciting project, a project that will allow us to continue to transform Downtown Staten Island in a big way. Staten Island has so much to offer both tourists and locals alike - from history, to food, to experiences, to shopping. We have it all and the whole world is starting to get the message."

Staten Island will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The Strategic Investment Plan for downtown Staten Island will examine local assets and opportunities and identify economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with the community's vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation. The downtown Staten Island Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that will advance the community's vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state's $10 million investment. Plans for the DRI's fourth round will be complete in 2020.

For more information on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, go to: www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative.

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