NY OKs 10 Projects For Haverstraw's $10M Revitalization

HAVERSTRAW, NY — New York State has OK'd 10 projects under Haverstraw's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award.

The money is meant to enhance Haverstraw's rich historic, cultural and natural resources while improving its walkability. The award was announced a year ago. "This was our fourth or fifth time applying and this was the charm, apparently," Mayor Michael Kohut told Patch at the time. SEE: Haverstraw Wins $10M State Grant To Revitalize Downtown

Village officials had a long list of projects to re-energize the downtown by integrating ethnicities and cultures, developing workforce and market-rate housing, inducing growth of existing and new businesses, connecting downtown and the waterfront and fostering collaborative efforts between the private sector, government and local non-profit organizations.

"The Village is excited to learn what projects have received awards from the State under the DRI grant. This has been a long and involved process, and I'm glad that we are soon to start the next phase, meaning implementation," said Haverstraw Mayor Michael Kohut. "We believe these projects that have received funding will be transformational for the Village and will catapult us into the group of highly successful river villages that dot the shores of the Hudson Valley now. Working together with NYS, over the next few years, everyone will appreciate Haverstraw's successful re-birth."

The 10 approved by the state:

Enhancing Walkability and Connectivity to the Waterfront and Public Places

• Extending a Public Trail and Stabilizing the Shoreline to Support Reuse of the Chair Factory Site - DRI Award: $4,000,000. Construct a 3,000 linear foot walkway and stabilize shoreline with riprap and native plantings around the former Chair Factory site to support future mixed-use and mixed-income development.
• Improving Connectivity with Construction of a Multimodal Ferry Station - DRI Award: $200,000. Construct a shelter at the base of the NY Waterway Ferry Dock with multimodal transit options.
• Enhancing the Village's Outdoor Recreation Area - DRI Award: $400,000. Construct two new public full-court basketball courts next to the Haverstraw Center to integrate into the surrounding park and outdoor recreation area.

Increasing Arts and Cultural Amenities

• Restoring and Expanding the Haverstraw Brick Museum - DRI Award: $1,500,000. Renovate and expand the Haverstraw Brick Museum, including restoring an 1880s basement, and adding two new floors focusing on education, innovation and research, with a new rooftop garden.
• Creating Educational Opportunities Through Installation of Harriet Tubman Statue - DRI Award: $201,000Install a permanent Harriet Tubman statue, improve accessibility and enhance landscaping at the Haverstraw African American Memorial Park.
• Enhancing Main Street Through Installation of Murals - DRI Award: $180,000Create four murals in downtown Haverstraw at 2, 21 and 45 Main Street and 10 Rockland Street.

Expanding Business and Housing Opportunities

• Revitalizing 49 West Broad Street with New Mixed-Use Development - DRI Award: $1,677,000. Redevelop blighted site with a 5-story mixed-use building with approximately 55 residential units, café, and community space.
• Establishing a Brewpub in Historic Stone Building - DRI Award: $665,000. Repurpose ground floor of Stone Building as a brewery and restaurant for the Stoneyard Brewing Company.
• Establishing a Downtown Façade Restoration Fund - DRI Award: $577,000Establish a downtown façade restoration fund to preserve and restore commercial and mixed-use buildings in the downtown.
• Establishing and Implementing a Branding, Marketing, and Wayfinding Initiative - DRI Award: $300,000. Establish and implement a branding and marketing initiative with wayfinding signage to help support locally owned businesses, boost tourism, enhance placemaking, and encourage walkability.

Renderings of the projects are available here.

"Haverstraw is already a beautiful and historic place to visit, and I am excited to see these state dollars enhance the village's charm in this revitalization project. This major overhaul will lead to greater things for Haverstraw and all of Rockland County," said County Executive Ed Day.

The investments are part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the New York economy and create more opportunities in the Mid-Hudson Region. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award is led by the Department of State, which provides technical assistance as each participating community develops a Strategic Investment Plan identifying specific projects with a unique vision for the revitalization of the downtown area.

"There is so much opportunity available in Haverstraw, and I'm excited to see that recognized with this funding for revitalization," said "Assemblymember Kenneth Zebrowski. "This initiative will allow the village to continue the hard work they've done to improve access to the waterfront and downtown areas."

Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Dr. Marsha Gordon and Dr. Kristine Young said the Downtown Revitalization Initiative is transforming downtown neighborhoods in New York State through key investments and projects developed by community members.

The point is to benefit neighborhoods across New York through targeted investments made with the collaboration of local leaders, said Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas.

"Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, we are making communities across our state more accessible and vibrant places to live and visit," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "This funding will support locally-led initiatives to reinvigorate Haverstraw's downtown, improving recreation, housing and business opportunities throughout the village to help the community flourish for generations to come."