Dobbs Ferry Earns $4.5M In 'NY Forward' Funds, Hochul Announces

DOBBS FERRY, NY — Dobbs Ferry will soon get a noticeable facelift, thanks in part to millions from the State of New York.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week a total of 25 transformative projects for the Hudson Valley region as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward. Six of the projects are in the Village of Sleepy Hollow, which is a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award. In addition, Poughkeepsie was a Round 8 winner of a $10 million DRI award for ten projects; and Nyack was a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award for nine projects.

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"I am thrilled to announce that the Mid-Hudson Valley will break ground on over two dozen new projects with this funding," Governor Hochul said. "With these investments, Mid-Hudson Valley residents can expect upgraded civic, commercial and cultural spaces for families to take advantage of and more housing to drive down costs in their neighborhoods."

The 6 Dobbys Ferry NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:

• Redesigning Lower Memorial Park with New and Improved Park and Recreation Amenities ($1,041,000): Transform underutilized parts into open space by adding amenities, such as covered bicycle parking, an informational board/kiosk, pickleball courts, a bathroom, park benches and tables, ADA-accessible paths and landscaping.
• Transforming a Vacant Space at 145 Palisade Street into a Performing Arts Center ($1,000,000): Renovate into a black box theatre for a dance company and for multidisciplinary performance, rehearsal and education.
• Extending Streetscape Improvements on Lower Main and Cedar Streets to Enhance the Pedestrian Environment of Downtown ($862,000): Extending the completed upper Main Street streetscape south between Chestnut and Walnut Streets and along Cedar Street from Main to Broadway (U.S. Route 9). Improvements might include the installation of street trees, benches, lampposts, upgraded sidewalks, roadway repaving, and restriping.

• Expanding the Historic Pickwick Theater to Serve as a Cultural and Social Anchor Within the Downtown ($739,000): Phase II of the renovation project will increase seating capacity, and add lighting and a digital screen for diverse programming in the space, and install rooftop solar panels.
• Rehabilitating the Historic Structure at 143 Main Street into a Mixed-Use Building ($508,000): Preserve and restore to accommodate ground floor commercial use and residential units above, while incorporating Passive House construction measures.
• Implementing a Unified Downtown Signage System to Improve Multimodal Wayfinding ($350,000): Consistent branding to create a recognizable identity for the downtown and guide residents/visitors to the downtown's commercial corridors and key destinations.

"Dobbs Ferry is proud to be a vibrant, walkable Hudson River community with a historic downtown that serves as the heart of our village," Village of Dobbs Ferry Mayor Christy Knell said. "Thanks to Governor Hochul’s support through the NY Forward program, we will be able to make meaningful investments that strengthen our downtown, improve connections between the Metro-North station and Main Street, and create new cultural, recreational and economic opportunities for residents and visitors alike. From expanding the historic Pickwick Theater and creating a new performing arts center to enhancing parks, streetscapes, and pedestrian access, these projects will help make Dobbs Ferry even more welcoming, sustainable, and accessible. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and New York State for recognizing the potential of our community and investing in its future."

The DRI investments are part of New York's ongoing efforts to revitalize the economy and create more opportunities in the Mid-Hudson region.

The NY Forward program was created to work along with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout New York so that all communities can benefit from the state's revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges. NY Forward projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces, and other projects that enhance cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm of these municipalities.