Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced nearly $40 million awarded to 75 municipalities through Round 4 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative. Restore NY supports municipal revitalization efforts across the state, helping to reinvigorate downtowns and generate economic opportunity in communities from Western New York to Long Island.

“These projects will help bring new vitality and opportunities for growth to communities across New York by transforming blighted properties and making key infrastructure investments,” Governor Cuomo said. “With this funding, we are helping to build stronger regional economies and are laying the foundation for a more prosperous New York for all.”

Governor Cuomo enacted the Restore New York Communities Initiative in the FY16 State Budget and designated Empire State Development to implement the program. Round 4 launched in June 2016. Cities, towns and villages were all eligible to apply for support for projects that include demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned and surplus properties.

“By preserving the cultural legacy and historical character of our downtowns, Governor Cuomo is breathing new life into old institutions and laying the foundation for future economic success and opportunity,” Lieutenant Governor Hochul said during a presentation today at the Hollywood Theater in Gowanda, one of the award recipients.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The Restore New York Communities Initiative revitalizes urban centers and is an important step towards attracting residents and businesses to rebuild underserved neighborhoods.”

Highlighted projects from each region are detailed below and a full list of projects receiving funding is available here.

Capital Region

The Capital Region was awarded $3,028,205 to support five projects.
Highlights include:

• The City of Schenectady – $1,000,000 for the Restore Schenectady project, which includes the demolition or rehabilitation of 10 mixed-use properties, including the removal of hazardous materials.
• The City of Troy – $778,205 for the rehabilitation and eventual reopening of the historic American Theater, part of the city’s larger Riverwalk redevelopment plan.

Central New York

Central New York region was awarded $3,350,000 to support four projects.
Highlights include:

• The City of Syracuse – $2,000,000 for the redevelopment of four historic buildings into mixed-use properties, building on work done with prior Restore NY Funding.
• The Village of Phoenix – $500,000 for the rehabilitation of two vacant buildings in the Canal Waterfront District.

Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region was awarded $5,536,888 to support nine projects.
Highlights include:

• The City of Rochester – $2,000,000 for the rehabilitation of seven properties into mixed-use buildings as part of the city’s master plan.
• The City of Batavia – $500,000 or demolition, remediation and rehabilitation of the former Ellicott Station to create a mixed-use facility.

Long Island

Long Island was awarded $1,458,470 to support three projects.
Highlights include:

• The Town of Riverhead – $500,000 for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of three buildings, part of a $30 million project involving the creation of affordable housing, retail space, and food production facility.
• The Town of Hempstead - $458,470 for the redevelopment of deteriorated properties on Grand Avenue for mixed use.

Mid-Hudson

The Mid-Hudson region was awarded $5,419,490 to support 10 projects.
Highlights include:

• The City of Yonkers - $2,000,000 for the redevelopment of three vacant buildings in the Wheeler Block of downtown Yonkers, including a storefront façade.
• The City of Kingston – $500,000 for the demolition of a commercial building and the rehabilitation of three residential properties. This project will allow for the creation of the new, sustainable Energy Square and affordable housing in a new zero-net energy structure.

Mohawk Valley

The Mohawk Valley was awarded $4,652,915 to support nine projects.
Highlights include:

• The City of Utica – $1,000,000 for the rehabilitation of two historical buildings into mixed-use properties, as part of a $4.5 million project to put these buildings back on the tax roll after 20 years.
• The Village of Canajoharie – $500,000 for the demolition of the eastern portion of the former Beech-Nut Plant.

North Country

The North County was awarded $4,174,000 to support ten projects.
Highlights include:

• The City of Ogdensburg – $500,000 for the demolition of two buildings, part of a project focusing on the city’s Brownfield Opportunity Area Plan.
• The City of Watertown – $500,000 for the redevelopment of the former Masonic Temple into a mixed-use building.

Southern Tier

The Southern Tier was awarded $4,234,750 in support of eleven projects.
Highlights include:

• The Village of Owego – $500,000 for the deconstruction and reconstruction of an anchor building in the village’s Historic Downtown Central Business District.
• The Village of Endicott – $500,000 for the rehabilitation of two former schools, transforming them into multi-unit apartments, and the rehabilitation of a multi-use building.

Western New York

Western New York was awarded $7,295,257 to support fourteen projects.
Highlights include:

• The City of Buffalo – $1,912,028 for the redevelopment of the Northland Corridor, including the demolition of three abandoned structures and a housing project. A small business campus will also be rehabilitated to attract commercial investment.
• The City of Jamestown – $500,000 for the rehabilitation of a former Key Bank building, part of the city’s winning Downtown Revitalization Initiative bid.