SENECA FALLS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FEBRUARY 28TH 2024 TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON DOWNTOWN BUILDING IMPROVEMENT FUNDS FOR SECOND ROUND APPLICANTS
The Seneca Falls Development Corporation (SFDC) will host an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday February 28th at the Seneca Falls Community Center at 35 Water Street to introduce funding of $365,000 remaining for the Downtown Building Improvement Fund. The Seneca Falls Development Corporation received funding from New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to support second round applications in the program.
View/Download Informational Flyer
View/Download Application
View/Download Design Guidelines
The SFDC will award up to $100,000 in DRI Building Improvement grant funds, per building, not to exceed 50% of the total eligible project cost (75% if the project is for a non-profit entity). Building renovation funds may be used to renovate facades, storefronts and commercial interiors as stated above, with additional funding available per building if there is also an upper-level residential component. The breakdown of additional funding is up to $25,000 for projects that produce a minimum of 1-2 residential units and up to $50,000 available for projects that produce a minimum of 3 or more residential units. The maximum award is $150,000.
For those who cannot attend in person, the meeting will be available via Zoom videoconferencing. Please register here for the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87527950693
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
General questions regarding the Building Improvement Fund or the informational meeting can be directed to Greg Zellers, SFDC Director, by sending an email to senecafallsdev@gmail.com.
Full details regarding the Building Improvement Fund are available in the published application and all required documentation must be submitted on or before 4:00pm on April 5th, 2024 to be considered. You do not need to wait for the informational meeting to start on your application, in fact, it’s encouraged that you begin completing the application asap so we can help you navigate any hurdles, questions, or issues.
View/Download Informational Flyer
View/Download Application
View/Download Design Guidelines
Please email your application in PDF or Word format along with any necessary attachments to Greg Zellers, SFDC Director, at senecafallsdev@gmail.com; or in person or by postal mail (must be RECEIVED on or before April 5, 2024) to the Seneca Falls Municipal Building:
Town of Seneca Falls
c/o SFDC – Building Improvement Fund
130 Ovid Street
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL-SIZE BOUNDARY MAP
Projects eligible for potential DRI / Building Improvement Fund funding must be within the defined DRI boundary, as seen in the accompanying map. Should you need clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a comprehensive approach to boosting local economies by transforming downtown communities into vibrant neighborhoods.
Participating communities are nominated by the state’s ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) based on the downtown’s potential for transformation, and each community is awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community’s vision for revitalization. Within the Finger Lakes region, Seneca Falls was selected as the recipient.
The DRI is chaired by New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, and supported by private sector experts funded by Empire State Development, and a state agency team from the Department of State and the NYS Homes and Community Renewal. Other agencies are also involved in reviewing and implementing projects.
By making investments that can re-energize our downtown corridor, Seneca Falls can better attract a diverse population of residents and visitors, which strengthens the customer base for local businesses and provides a reliable workforce for new and existing employers within the community.
Each winning community needed to show that it possessed the key ingredients for successful downtown revitalization: a clear vision for the downtown; goals and strategies to accomplish the vision; and a strategic plan to implement catalytic projects identified in the plan.
More information about the DRI can be found here:
NYS DRI Portal
https://www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative
NYS DRI Guidebook
https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/DRI_Four_Guidebook.pdf
NYS DRI Frequent Questions
https://www.ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/round-four-dri-frequently-asked-questions
Social media and coffee shop chats can sometimes lead to misinformation and misunderstandings. With the significant nature and impact of the $10 million DRI award, we want to be your source for details and updates regarding the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. We encourage you to point people to this website and invite you to contact SFDC Director, Greg Zellers, if you have questions or need clarification on anything. The entire DRI process will require a true community effort and we hope you’ll be part of the message, the mission, and the communication.
While exact dates are unknown, the Local Planning Committee expects to have recommended DRI projects submitted to New York State for review by late March or early April. The State will then determine which projects will receive funding, as well as any applicable award. This is expected in July or August of 2020. If you have a project under consideration, you will want to wait until you have a signed contract in-hand via NYS and/or any related agency before commencing work under the proposed project.
No. Other than the giant ceremonial cardboard check that Lt. Governor Hochul presented at the announcement, there is no actual check that the town can deposit. Instead, it’s a commitment by New York State to invest at least $10 million in our downtown corridor. There is oversight at the State and regional level throughout each phase…project selection, project development, and project completion.
No. If we did, we’d certainly have lots of new best friends, but that isn’t how the DRI works. Together through community workshops, the appointed DRI committee will collectively present a list of projects for NYS to consider for funding and inclusion.
The DRI grant is intended for transformational projects throughout the defined downtown boundary. Street issues and things of that nature are outside the general focus of the DRI. As mentioned above, the town doesn’t receive a lump sum of $10 million to allocate or distribute. Instead, NYS will fund selected projects following a series of workshops and community recommendations.
Winning the DRI award doesn’t mean the pursuit is over. What follows are the next steps in securing and administering DRI funds:
No, the projects listed in our DRI application were initial examples and recommendations based on several rounds of community workshops that were conducted prior to the DRI submission. There will be several more community sessions held to determine projects and funding requests. Once submitted to the State agencies for consideration, we would await their selections.
You are welcome to share constructive dialogue and opinions at our community workshops or by reaching out to us directly if you have concerns about a particular project.
Understand that the DRI is intended to provide a benefit for our town and community as a whole. It’s impractical to think that every project will be 100% perfect for everyone, but it’s about building and securing a promising future for our community.
A project loved by some may not be loved by others, and that’s okay. It’s about collaboration, cooperation, and coming up with a cohesive list of projects that are bigger than our individual selves.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to updates so you stay “in the know” throughout the DRI process. You’ll also be notified of upcoming community workshops that you can attend, as well as opportunities to pursue funding.
There is no local match requirement for DRI-funded projects. However, if applying for DRI funding, leveraging investment dollars from other sources (i.e., private, local, federal, or other state resources) is strongly encouraged. The DRI Committee may set leveraging targets for applicants interested in non-public projects.
Funds will be administered through the appropriate state agencies. While there may be some variation between agency administration and the project type, awarded project funding will generally be provided on a reimbursement basis. That said, we will be pursuing opportunities for low-interest bridge financing for eligible projects and entities.
Business owners, officials, non-profits organizations, and residents are all welcome! You’re invited to provide ideas for projects, whether public or private, as it’s only through community collaboration that we can make it happen.
Specific dates are yet to be determined, which is why we encourage you to subscribe to updates so you’re always in the know.
No, the DRI is committed to transformational projects that can encourage ongoing and sustainable economic development within the downtown corridor of Seneca Falls.
You are welcome to reach out to SFDC Director, Greg Zellers, by clicking here.
You can also visit one of the following State resources regarding the DRI and its process:
New York State DRI Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/round-four-dri-frequently-asked-questions
DRI Guidebook
https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/DRI_Four_Guidebook.pdf
New York State DRI Website
https://www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative
Additional DRI Resources: NYS DRI Frequent Questions | DRI Guidebook | NYS DRI Website
Given the lead by the Seneca Falls Town Council to pursue the DRI grant, the Seneca Falls Development Corp (SFDC) headed a months-long effort to establish a better brand for Seneca Falls and properly convey its community assets and potential.
As you read our carefully-prepared DRI application, understand that the projects listed are conceptual and examples of the kinds of transformative projects that we can pursue as a community.
The actual list of funded projects may very well have a completely different makeup compared to what’s represented within the application. Through upcoming community workshops, a final list of prospective projects will be submitted to New York State for review and approval.
We invite you to be part of our workshops and meetings, because it is only through community collaboration that we can cultivate a plan and list of projects that can better serve our residents and businesses. You are encouraged to subscribe to updates so you stay “in the know” throughout the process and as community workshops are scheduled.
Have questions regarding the DRI? We’d love to hear from you! Please complete the following form and we’ll be in touch soon!