New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative

In 2016, the New York State Department of State’s (NYS DOS) Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) selected downtowns in each of the state’s Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) zones for $10 million in targeted revitalization investment. JLP+D, as part of interdisciplinary teams, was selected to work in Middletown, Glens Falls, and Westbury, NY to identify and develop the most effective investments and priority projects to help spur this revitalization. An approach was tailored to the economic and demographic context of each municipality’s Downtown District. The firm helped develop and analyze the feasibility of different real estate, planning, and economic development policy proposals, primarily seeking to better leverage and connect each district’s unique assets into a more walkable, mixed-use core. The resulting planning frameworks were approved by NYS DOS and are moving forward with implementation.

In the Mid-Hudson and Capital Region REDCs zones, JLP+D worked with BFJ Planning and an interdisciplinary team to develop revitalization strategies and targeted projects for Middletown and Glens Falls that would leverage each downtown’s competitive advantages for sustainable growth. Additionally, the firm analyzed the feasibility and economic development potential of different investment proposals, identified potential funding opportunities, and met with local stakeholders to ensure that investments were tailored to their local context for maximum public benefit.

In Westbury, JLP+D brought its expertise in the economics of placemaking to specifically develop an arts-focused revitalization strategy, which would capitalize on Westbury’s existing cultural assets. Working with BJH Advisors and an interdisciplinary team, the firm also advised on rezoning analyses, retail support strategies, potential institutional partners, and helped develop place-based revitalization strategies. The firm additionally led the project’s community engagement process, meeting with local stakeholders including downtown landowners, business operators, community leaders, and municipal officials to inform the team’s revitalization strategy, in addition to engaging hundreds of local and regional residents at project-specific community meetings and local community events.