Plattsburgh’s downtown is a step closer to getting a multi-million-dollar makeover.
Mayor Colin Read will join us to talk about the $10-million-dollar downtown revitalization grand from the state, and the 10 projects that will get funded as part of the redevelopment.
See list of projects here:
Watch our extended interview with Mayor Colin Read on the fiscal challenges facing City of Plattsburgh, the push by the New York State Attorney General to restrict highly flammable oil trains from passing through urban areas including Plattsburgh, the expansion of the airport, and a new pro baseball team kicking off its first-ever season in Plattsburgh:
LIST of 10 Projects getting funding under DRI grant from NYS to City of Plattsburgh:
The 10 winning projects are:
Durkee Street development: Redevelop the centrally located Durkee Street parking lot, increase residential and commercial activity, return the site to the tax rolls and better connect the historic downtown with the waterfront.
Development will be accomplished through a public-private partnership and may include about 45 residential units and almost 47,000 square feet or commercial space.
Food Incubator: Create a small, “pop-up” or temporary kitchen and retail space connected to the resources and business expertise of North Country Food Co-Op.
The incubator will support new or growing prepared-food businesses downtown by providing easy connections to the shared commercial kitchen and equipment and access to a base of potential customers already patronizing the co-op.
Shared commercial kitchen: Create a commercial kitchen space to help Plattsburgh’s small-food businesses and professionals cook, process and package food and bakery products.
Suitable space will be located, renovated and outfitted with equipment to be used by local organizations, farms and others.
Enhance riverfront amenities: Improve riverfront access at key points to strengthen the connection to downtown, increase recreational opportunities and highlight Plattsburgh’s natural assets.
Improvements will include creation of a continuous Riverfront Walk, upgrades to Macdonough Park, creation of a new overlook that projects out into the river and a kayak launch site.
Dock Street Waterfront District: Prepare materials to invite private development in the waterfront district, including a request for proposals.
Streetscape improvements: Improve the downtown streetscape and pedestrian experience with investments to key streets and walkable areas.
The project includes design and construction of improvements on five downtown streets, development of protected pedestrian and bike access on Veterans Memorial Bridge and transformation of an underutilized open space into an active downtown park.
Fund for residential, retail and hotel improvements: Provide grant money to incentivize downtown development and rehabilitation, targeting upper-floor residential and commercial/hotel development, façade improvements, retail-space redevelopment and small-business support.
Art & Innovation Studio: Develop studio at the Strand Center for the Arts to provide physical space for students, creative entrepreneurs and other community members, install equipment and software and support educational programming.
Marketing strategy: Implement a cohesive marketing, branding and signage strategy aiming to strengthen downtown Plattsburgh’s identity and visibility and improve wayfinding and signage.
Strand Center: Fund capital improvements at the Strand Theatre and support strategic marketing and advertising efforts, with aim to increase annual visitors from 10,000 to 25,000.