Village of Brewster Receives $7,500 Greenway Grant for Comprehensive Plan Update

Press release:

(Albany, NY) The Hudson River Valley Greenway is pleased to announce that the Village of Brewster was awarded a $7,500 matching Greenway Communities Grant for a comprehensive plan update. The Greenway Board awarded a total of $80,000 for projects throughout the Hudson River Valley at a recent meeting held in Staatsburg, N.Y.

The Village of Brewster plans to update their comprehensive plan and prepare an Urban Renewal Plan by partnering with Putnam County Planning, Covington Properties and Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress. The Village will encourage public participation throughout the project by conducting surveys and public meetings with residents. The plan update is expected to outline a vision to improve commerce, increase job opportunities, increase owner occupied homes, parking, pedestrian access, recreational opportunities, leverage modern existing water and sewer infrastructure capacity, and take advantage of existing or expanded public transportation opportunities.

Mark Castiglione, Acting Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway stated, “Comprehensive planning is critical so that communities can protect the things they value and grow in ways that help realize their vision for the future. The Village’s approach is consistent with Governor Cuomo’s vision for revitalization by balancing environmental considerations with economic development as a strategy for revitalization. The Greenway is pleased to be a partner in helping Brewster realize its vision for the future.”

The Village of Brewster Mayor James Schoenig said, “The Village of Brewster would like to thank the Greenway for this critical funding to update the Comprehensive Plan. The grant will leverage other public and private resources so the Village may create a sustainable and collective vision from the residents and businesses. The planning process will incorporate a series of open, public visioning sessions as to gather concepts and ideas for revitalizing the village and creating a vibrant Main Street. Our mission is to foster a balanced approach to renewed pride, image, and appearance to attract new investment to sustainably grow the village.”

The Hudson River Valley Greenway works with communities on a voluntary basis to assist in the development of local land use plans and programs related to the Greenway criteria. Greenway community planning projects can be undertaken by a single community to address local issues or a group of communities working together to address both local and regional issues. The Greenway Communities Grant Program provides matching grants to help communities develop and implement a vision for their future that balances Greenway criteria of economic development considerations with resource protection and promotion objectives. The deadline for the next round of grant applications is December 11, 2013.

The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a unique state-sponsored program established by the Greenway Act of 1991. Presently, 272 out of the 325 eligible municipalities within the Greenway area have joined the Greenway. The program is designed to encourage communities to develop projects and initiatives related to the criteria of natural and cultural resource protection, regional and local planning, economic development, public access to the Hudson River (as well as other regional and local resources), and heritage and environmental education. It provides technical assistance and small grants for planning, water trail and land-based trails and other projects that reinforce the Greenway Criteria. In keeping with the New York tradition of home rule, the Greenway program has no regulatory authority and participation by municipalities in Greenway programs and projects is entirely voluntary. The Greenway also manages the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

Visit www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov for more information on the Greenway

Visit www.hudsonrivervalley.com for more information on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

Photo: orbestaxi.com