Latest DRI Updates
As information, documents, and announcements are released for publication, they will be added to this website so the community remains informed throughout the DRI process. If you would like to be notified when updates are added, we encourage you to subscribe to DRI updates so you’re always “in the know” with DRI happenings. Have questions? Please reach out with any questions.
Application for Downtown Building Improvement Fund
Full details regarding the Building Improvement Fund are available in the published application, but following a deadline extension, all required documentation must be submitted on or before 4:00pm on March 18, 2022 to be considered.
View/Download Application
View/Download Design Guidelines
View/Download Meeting Slides
Please email responses in PDF or Word format along with any necessary attachments to Greg Zellers, SFDC Director, at senecafallsdev@gmail.com or by postal mail (must be RECEIVED on or before March 18, 2022) to:
Greg Zellers, Director
Seneca Falls Development Corp
20 East Bayard Street
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
VIDEO: Recorded DRI Building Improvement Fund Meeting from January 13, 2022
Public Information Meeting For The Seneca Falls DRI Building Improvement Fund Set For January 13, 2022
The Seneca Falls Development Corporation will host a DRI Building Improvement Fund informational meeting at 6pm on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Seneca Falls Community Center located at 35 Water Street in Seneca Falls.
The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the parameters and eligibility requirements to participate in the $600,000 Downtown Building Improvement Fund that was established through the $10 million DRI grant awarded to the Town of Seneca Falls.
Commercial property owners located within the Seneca Falls DRI boundary are eligible to apply for up to $50,000 to fund exterior and interior building renovations. Projects with a residential component may also be eligible for up to an additional $50,000. A 50% match is required for private projects and a 25% match is required for projects undertaken by non-profit entities.
“We’re encouraging all eligible businesses to apply,” shared SFDC Board Chair, Joell Murney-Karsten. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to see more than a half million dollars go towards the beautification of downtown and help boost economic development opportunities.”
Full details regarding the grant, its requirements, and how to apply will be provided at the informational meeting.
For those who cannot attend in person, the meeting will be available via Zoom videoconferencing. Remote participants will need to register in advance by visiting http://senecafallsdri.com/register and completing the form. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
“The Building Improvement Fund is a small part of the overarching $10 million DRI award,” said Greg Zellers, SFDC Director, “but it’s specifically designed to have a significant visual impact throughout our downtown corridor and we anticipate wide participation.”
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.
November 9, 2021: RFP Announced for DRI Grant Administration
The Seneca Falls Development Corp (hereinafter the SFDC) is seeking proposals from qualified Grant Administration Firms or Consultants to provide services in conjunction with recently awarded Downtown Revitalization Initiative grants (hereinafter DRI), including the Downtown Building Improvement Fund and four additional solo DRI projects assigned to the SFDC for administration. Minority and women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to respond.
OVERVIEW
The revitalization of downtown Seneca Falls will help propel long-term regional prosperity and provide year-round opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the area’s natural assets, local foods and beverages, cultural arts, museums, and more in an attractive and accessible destination. In alignment with the Seneca Falls DRI vision statement, the Town is seeking to improve the utilization of vacant and underutilized property, attract and expand businesses, create mixed-income residential units, and facilitate downtown appeal.
The Town of Seneca Falls has been awarded funding through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to finance a Building Improvement Fund, of which the SFDC has been assigned grant administration. The $600,000 Building Improvement Fund, of which $540,000 will be available to property owners, has been established to provide grant funding for applicants to implement interior and exterior building improvements within the defined Town of Seneca Falls DRI area.
Goals of the Seneca Falls DRI Building Improvement Fund are to preserve and renovate historic downtown buildings, beautify downtown buildings, help stimulate entrepreneurism, and promote mixed-income residential uses including upper-floor units. The fund is available to any commercial and/or mixed-use building owner within the DRI boundary.
The SFDC will also be administering four additional projects that were directly awarded DRI Funds. State Street Station (restaurant); the Culinary Arts Studio and Apartments; the Kabari Wellness Institute; and the Daniels Block apartments. The Consultant will also assist in the administration and compliance of these additional projects.
The primary activities for which the SFDC is requesting administrative assistance, include:
- Assist in the administering of the $600,000 Downtown Building Improvement Fund
- Assist in the administering of the four additional DRI projects mentioned herein
DEADLINE
Full details are available in the published RFP, but all required documentation must be submitted on or before 4:00pm on December 9, 2021 to be considered.
Please email responses in PDF or Word format along with any necessary attachments to Greg Zellers, SFDC Director, at senecafallsdev@gmail.com or by postal mail (must be postmarked on or before December 9, 2021) to:
Greg Zellers, Director
Seneca Falls Development Corp
20 East Bayard Street
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
May 13, 2021: Selected DRI Projects Announced in Seneca Falls by Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul
After a significant pause due to pandemic restrictions, the Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative is back in motion. Today, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul made an appearance at the National Women’s Hall of Fame to announce the DRI projects selected by the State for funding.
Included within this funding group is a $600,000 Building Improvement Fund, which can further help local businesses and building owners with interior and exterior upgrades, repairs, and enhancements.
Since writing the DRI proposal for consideration back in early 2019, the Seneca Falls Development Corporation has enjoyed collaborating with a wide range of community members, government officials, business owners, and local organizations to make the DRI a reality.
Today’s announcement marks the start of a new journey for Seneca Falls with ongoing economic development leading the charge.
DRI projects seek to enhance the many historic and cultural assets, improve waterfront amenities, support small businesses, tourism sites and related infrastructure. These investments will serve to encourage additional investment, boost the impact of surrounding projects, and help support downtown economic development initiatives.
The specific projects to be funded through the DRI include:
Establish the National Women’s Hall of Fame as a Destination – $1,000,000: Renovation of the iconic smokestack, installation of new permanent exhibits, and construction of a code-compliant elevator and external stairwell for access and expansion to the 2nd 3rd and 4th floors for additional museum space to enhance historic cultural destination.
Transform It’s A Wonderful Life Museum – $912,000: Museum expansion to include structural stabilization of the building, façade renovation to reflect its historic appearance, enhanced accessibility, and improved signage. Expansion is the first phase of expected multi-phased improvement.
Activate the State Street Station – $605,000: Renovate the former historic train station into a full-service Italian restaurant and banquet hall.
Establish a Building Improvement Fund – $600,000: A Building Improvement Fund will be established to provide grant funding for downtown building owners to support interior and exterior building improvements.
Reinvigorate the Gould Hotel – $405,000: Renovation of hotel’s first floor including lobby upgrades, conversion of the restaurant into a dual-purposed café & gastro-cocktail lounge and relocation of the bar.
Renovate the Historic Huntington Building – $400,000: Repurposing of the historic Huntington Building into a 50-unit affordable residential complex. Half of the units will be reserved as permanent supportive housing for veterans.
Launch Culinary Arts Studio and Apartments – $400,000: Renovation of two downtown buildings for a ground floor hands-on culinary arts studio and conversion of vacant upper floors into affordable housing units.
Create Residential Units at the Finger Lakes Health Institute – $400,000: Conversion of the vacant second floor classrooms of the former St. Patrick’s school into 10 affordable residential units in the mixed-use facility.
Renovate the Daniels Block – $253,200: Conversion of the vacant 3rd floor space in the Daniels Block into five new accessible residential loft units that will be serviced by a new three-stop elevator.
North Canalside Enhancements – $3,690,000: People’s Park improvements including new pathways and decks overlooking the canal; burying utility lines and providing better access to the Canal from downtown.
Improve the Heritage & Information Center of Seneca Falls – $533,082: Provide upgrades to the Heritage and Information Center including façade improvements, updating permanent interior exhibits, installation of a new elevator and renovations to boater spaces.
Enhance Community Recreation – $324,000: Installation of “street league” obstacles to the Seneca Falls Skate Park and an ADA-compliant kayak launch at the Community Recreation Center.
Enhance Ludovico Sculpture Trail – $177,718: Installation of a new gateway entry plaza, upgrading the trail surface to be accessible to all, and the addition of descriptive sculpture plaques.
July 31, 2020: 3rd Public DRI Meeting Presentation + Video + Public Survey Request
The slide presentation for July 30th DRI Public Meeting is provided below. We also encourage you to complete the survey/public comment form so we can harvest input from community members and business owners.
Presentation Document:
DRI Seneca Falls 3rd Public 073020
Survey/Public Comments Link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Link to Meeting Video:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
July 30, 2020: LPC Meeting Presentation + Meeting Video + Public Survey Request
The July 29th LPC Meeting video can be viewed below this announcement. As well, the meeting’s presentation slides are provided at the following link:
Seneca Falls DRI July 29 LPC Meeting
The community is encouraged to participate in the latest public comments survey so that we can gather important opinions and input:
Survey Monkey Public Comments:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
July 29, 2020 LPC Meeting (Video Recording)
July 22, 2020: Third Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Public Workshop Scheduled for July 30, 2020
The third community meeting to gather public input on Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020. The meeting will be a virtual public meeting via Zoom video conferencing at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88963390555?pwd=Zk5pcUlxNFBGdWN4dllSQmlaQWFOd z09
Meeting ID: 889 6339 0555
Passcode: 841694
The meeting can also be accessed by calling 646-876-9923 and entering the passcode.
If you plan to attend a meeting, we strongly recommend installing the Zoom app prior to the meeting.
Those in attendance will be provided with information on the final Downtown Revitalization Initiative slate of projects selected by the DRI Local Planning Committee (LPC). The meeting will be recorded and be available on the www.senecafallsdri.com website the day after the meeting has concluded. The public will be able to provide comments or ask questions for a week after the meeting on the Seneca Falls DRI website. Information on the slate of projects will be available for review and comment via a Survey Monkey link at the www.senecafallsdri.com website.
July 22, 2020: Fifth meeting of the Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee Scheduled for July 29, 2020 will be held virtually via Zoom Videoconferencing
The Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee (LPC) will have its fifth meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. The meeting will be a virtual LPC meeting via Zoom video conferencing at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86372552702?pwd=UDdDRFRWZ0srUGRybGVvZ3hERTFp Zz09
Meeting ID: 863 7255 2702
Passcode: 721731
The meeting can also be accessed by calling 646-876-9923 and entering the passcode.
If you plan to attend the meeting, we strongly recommend installing the Zoom app prior to the meeting.
The LPC will discuss updates to the final slate of DRI projects and vote on the Final Slate of DRI projects to be submitted to the State at the meeting.
Whether you are a resident, business owner, employer, or potential investor, the DRI Local Planning Committee encourages and welcomes your participation. The meeting is open to the public and there will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the meeting via the Zoom video conferencing format. The meeting will be recorded and be available on the www.senecafallsdri.com website the day after the meeting has concluded.
The public will be able to provide comments or ask questions for a week after the meeting on the Seneca Falls DRI website. Additional public comments will be collected via a Survey Monkey link at the www.senecafallsdri.com website.
March 17, 2020: Seneca Falls DRI Local Planning Committee Meeting Postponed
The Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee (LPC) will need to postpone its next meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 26, 2020 at the Community Center, 35 Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY.
The postponement is required to implement State, County, and Town guidelines to reduce potential exposure related to the COVID-19 virus. The Community Center is also closed until April 1, 2020. The final DRI public meeting is also postponed until further notice.
State representatives and the DRI consultant team will continue to develop projects with project sponsors for the draft DRI slate of projects and will also continue preparing the Draft DRI Strategic Investment Plan.
March 6, 2020: Seneca Falls DRI Local Planning Committee Meeting Announced for 3/11/20
The Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee (LPC) will have its fourth meeting at the Community Center, 35
Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The LPC will continue to discuss projects for the draft DRI slate of projects that will be submitted to New York State.
Whether you are a resident, business owner, employer, or potential investor, the DRI Local Planning Committee encourages and welcomes your participation. The meeting is open to the public and there will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the meeting.
February 28, 2020: DRI Local Planning Committee Presentation Notes from 2/26/20
The LPC meeting held on Wednesday, February 26th discussed public survey results, the full slate of projects, initial scoring by LPC members, and covered the upcoming steps in the DRI process. As a reminder, there is a Public Workshop scheduled for Monday, March 2nd at 6pm within the Seneca Falls Community Center.
For your convenience and review, the full presentation is available in PDF format below:
Click here to view/download the LPC slide presentation
Should you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
February 27, 2020: 2nd Seneca Falls DRI Public Workshop Scheduled for March 2, 2020
The second community meeting to gather public input on Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) will be held at the Community Center, 35 Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2020.
Those in attendance will be provided with updated information on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative followed by an Open House to review potential DRI projects. This is another opportunity for residents and businesses in the community to provide feedback to the DRI Local Planning Committee and help plan the future of Downtown Seneca Falls.
February 19, 2020: Seneca Falls DRI Local Planning Committee Meeting Announced
The Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee (LPC) will have its second meeting at the Community Center, 35 Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.
The LPC will review highlights from the public survey, and continue to discuss projects submitted in response to the Request for Information on potential projects. Whether you are a resident, business owner, employer, or potential investor, the DRI Local Planning Committee encourages and welcomes your participation. The meeting is open to the public and there will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the meeting.
January 30, 2020: DRI Local Planning Committee Presentation Notes
The LPC meeting held on Wednesday, January 29th discussed the DRI goals and vision, public workshop highlights, RFI project submissions, next steps, and additional DRI details.
For your convenience and review, the full presentation is available in PDF format below:
Click here to view/download the LPC slide presentation
Should you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
January 23, 2020: DRI Local Planning Committee Scheduled for January 29, 2020
The Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee (LPC) will have its second meeting at the Community Center, 35 Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.
The LPC will finalize the vision, goals and strategies for the Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative, review highlights from the public survey, and discuss projects submitted in response to the Request for Information on potential projects.
Whether you are a resident, business owner, employer, or potential investor, the DRI Local Planning Committee encourages and welcomes your participation. The meeting is open to the public and there will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the meeting.
December 19, 2019: Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative Public Survey Launched
Click here to complete the Seneca Falls DRI survey online!
The Town of Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee (LPC) wants to know your thoughts on Downtown!
A survey has been launched to get input from area residents. It is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SNRDVQY. Paper copies will also be available at the Town Hall. The survey will help the LPC, Town, and their partners understand the public’s perceptions of downtown, as well as the types of commercial, residential and public improvements desired.
Whether you are a Town resident, County resident or a visitor to the area, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey. Survey responses will be accepted until the end of January 2020.
December 10, 2019: Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Public Workshop Scheduled
The first community meeting to gather public input on the Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) will be held at the Seneca Falls Community Center, 35 Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2019.
Those in attendance will be provided with information on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative followed by a hands-on, interactive public workshop.
The purpose of the workshop is to identify potential transformative redevelopment strategies that will provide long-term community and economic benefits for Downtown Seneca Falls.
This is an opportunity for residents and businesses in the community to provide feedback and help plan the future of Downtown Seneca Falls.
The DRI Local Planning Committee would like to know what you love about Downtown Seneca Falls, what draws you downtown today, and what amenities would bring you downtown more often.
The workshop is the first in a series of three Downtown Revitalization Initiative public participation meetings that will be held over the next four months.
Future public meeting will focus on a review of potential projects to be considered by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee.
December 9, 2019: RFI for Proposed Projects Now Available
The Town of Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee has published the Request for Information project forms that applicants must complete to be considered for DRI funding.
The RFI is a short form requesting participants to provide basic information about potential projects including project scope, description, budget, and financing. The Local Planning Committee encourages all project ideas that could promote the revitalization of downtown.
The Seneca Falls DRI Local Planning Committee will consider public improvement projects, private development projects and proposals for branding and marketing. The project location must be within the DRI Boundary and will be evaluated by the Local Planning Committee.
DRI RFI Informational Meeting
Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Seneca Falls Community Center; 35 Water Street; Seneca Falls, NY.
Mr. Flynn will also be available after the meeting to meet with potential applicants if needed.
RFI Project Deadline:
Friday, January 17, 2020
Please submit completed forms via email to eflynn@labellapc.com or place in the DRI Submission Box within the Town Office building at 130 Ovid Street.
The deadline for delivery is 4:00 p.m. and no application will be accepted after this time.
Questions regarding the RFI submission can be directed to the DRI consultant, LaBella Associates, Ed Flynn, eflynn@labellapc.com or (585) 295-6285.
December 6, 2019: Request For Projects Starts Dec 9th; Information Meeting Set For Dec 12th
The Town of Seneca Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee has set dates for release of the Request for Information project forms that applicants must complete to be considered for funding. On Monday, December 9th in the afternoon the RFI project forms will be available on the Seneca Falls DRI website – www.senecafallsdri.com – and in hard copy at the Town offices located at 130 Ovid Street in Seneca Falls.
The RFI is a short form requesting participants to provide basic information about potential projects including project scope, description, budget, and financing. The Local Planning Committee encourages all project ideas that could promote the revitalization of downtown.
The Seneca Falls DRI Local Planning Committee will consider public improvement projects, private development projects and proposals for branding and marketing. The project location must be within the DRI Boundary and will be evaluated by the Local Planning Committee. A map of the DRI boundary is also on the Seneca Falls DRI website.
DRI RFI Dates and Deadlines
1. Monday, December 9, 2019 – RFI project forms will be available on this website.
2. Thursday, December 12, 2019 – Informational meeting regarding the RFI project forms – 1:00 p.m., at the Community Center, 35 Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY. Mr. Flynn will also be available after the meeting to meet with potential applicants if needed.
3. Friday, January 17, 2020 – RFI project forms due. Please submit via email to eflynn@labellapc.com or deliver hard copy to the Town Offices. The deadline for delivery is 4:00 p.m. and no application will be accepted after this time.
Questions regarding the RFI submission can be directed to the DRI consultant, LaBella Associates, Ed Flynn, eflynn@labellapc.com or (585) 295-6285.
December 5, 2019: DRI Boundary Announced
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL-SIZE BOUNDARY MAP
Projects eligible for potential DRI 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.
RFI project forms will be made available on this website on Monday, December 9th. This will be followed by a public Informational Meeting to help explain the forms and upcoming process.
December 4, 2019: DRI Committee Meeting #1 Presentation Slides
On December 4th, 2019, the first DRI Committee meeting took place at the Seneca Falls Community Center. All meetings are open to the public so please plan to attend future meetings if you would like to stay “in the know” as the DRI process continues.
Whether you were able to attend our first meeting or you were unable to attend, we’ve made the accompanying slide presentation available to you for review. Should you have questions about the presentation or its contents, please don’t hesitate to reach out for clarification.
November 10, 2019: DRI Website Launched
On November 6th, 2019, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul delivered an announcement at the new site of the National Women’s Hall of Fame that Seneca Falls had been selected as the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) winner for the Finger Lakes Region.
Rooted in an effort by the Seneca Falls Development Corp (SFDC) to establish better brand messaging and a stronger foundation for Seneca Falls, our selection is proof that community collaboration can help our town thrive.
It’s going to be an exciting transformation for Seneca Falls and there are many ways for you to involved. We hope you’ll take advantage of those opportunities.
Feel free to reach out should you have any DRI questions, and stay tuned…great things are on the horizon!
Greg Zellers; SFDC Director & Joell Murney-Karsten; SFDC Chair
What is the DRI?
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
DRI Frequent Questions
Don’t let guesses become facts. When in doubt, just reach out!
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:
- DRI Team established with State Planners, Local Committee, & Consultants
- DRI Area vision confirmed, goals & strategies identified
- Public & other stakeholders engaged throughout DRI process
- Projects identified & vetted by the local committee & public
- DRI Strategic Investment Plan written by consultants with DRI Team & public input and submitted to the State
- Projects from each community evaluated by the State & selected for funding
- Governor announces selected projects
- DOS/HCR/ESD or other agency/authority works with project sponsors to execute grant agreements
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
Read Our DRI Application
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.
Stay in the Know!
Simply add your email address and we’ll subscribe you to DRI updates for as long as you’d like to receive them. Be alerted of progress, community workshop dates, announcements, and more!When in Doubt, Reach Out!
Have questions regarding the DRI? We’d love to hear from you! Please complete the following form and we’ll be in touch soon!
