Twenty-five projects across three Hudson Valley municipalities received $18.7 million as part of New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Program.
The City of Poughkeepsie was one of the three in this ninth round of funding awards.
The city received $9.7 million for 10 projects to improve and enhance the city’s downtown corridor, within the DRI’s boundary area. The villages of Nyack and Dobbs Ferry were the two other awarded Hudson Valley municipalities.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement she was “thrilled” to announce over two dozen projects will break ground with this funding.
”With these investments, Mid-Hudson Valley residents can expect upgraded civic, commercial and cultural spaces for families to take advantage of and more housing to drive down costs in their neighborhoods,” Hochul said.
According to the Governor’s office, these selected projects for funding were identified as having the greatest potential for jumpstarting revitalization and generating new opportunities for long-term growth.
Background: What is NY’s DRI and how has Poughkeepsie been involved?
The state’s DRI was created in 2016, promoting a “plan-then-act” strategy, according to Hochul’s office.
After nine rounds of funding over the years, NY’s DRI will have awarded $1 billion to 101 communities across every region of the state.
In early November, the City of Poughkeepsie’s Local Planning Committee submitted its list of 16 proposed projects to the state, equating to $14.7 million in funding requests.
Ultimately, six were not chosen.
The committee, made up of city representatives, community leaders and stakeholders, put forward these projects in their vision to revitalize the city’s Main Street Corridor to serve “as the beating heart of a bustling and thriving city,” according to Poughkeepsie’s DRI application, in the “not-too-distant future.”
In March 2025, the City of Poughkeepsie received $10 million from New York’s DRI in the eighth round of funding awards.
“The continued investment in the City of Poughkeepsie through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative is helping build momentum for projects that strengthen neighborhoods, support local businesses, and create new opportunities for residents and visitors alike,” City of Poughkeepsie Administrator and LPC co-chair Joseph Donat said in a statement.
10 City of Poughkeepsie DRI projects received $9.7 million in funding
The funded projects include mixed-use developments, mixed-income developments, public art, infrastructure improvements, community spaces and commercial spaces.
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson said in a statement this almost $10 million investment will “bring a wave of new housing” to the City of Poughkeepsie, while boosting its arts and retail scene.
“It’s exciting to see construction and conversion in high-potential locations that will give more people the opportunity to live, work and enjoy the Queen City of the Hudson Valley,” Jacobson said.
Here is where residents will start to see some changes in Poughkeepsie:
$316,000 for The Grand Concourse at the Poughkeepsie Train Station: To replace an underutilized concession bar at the historic train station with a new cafe and cocktail bar.
$350,000 to launch public arts program: An art-based public improvement strategy in the DRI area will establish Poughkeepsie as a vibrant city through the installation of murals, sculptures and other media at underutilized and strategic sites.
$603,000 for restoration of former Catherine Street Community Center: Community Matters 2, a nonprofit youth and community service organization, will reactivate the vacant community center at 69 Catherine St. after a restoration.
$1 million to convert former Cigar Factory into workforce housing: 15 N Cherry St. will become workforce housing with adaptive reuse and new construction.
$1 million for 27 High St. transformation: The vacant and former Dutchess County office building through adaptive reuse of the existing building and new construction will create a mixed-income residential development.
$1 million for 316 Main St. revitalization: Demolition of vacant buildings at 306 and 316 Main St. to construct a new mixed-use development with residential units and retail space targeted toward a grocery store.
$1,230,000 for converting Market Street into two-way street: Market Street will become a two-way street, with a single lane in each direction, as well as improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including a protected two-way cycle track
$1,250,000 for new multi-family rental community at Pelton Manor site: The site of Pelton Manor will have residential buildings and the historic Pelton House will be restored.
$1,451,000 for new 488 Main St. mixed-income housing: Demolition of existing building and construction of mixed-income housing with ground-floor commercial space open to the public.
$1.5 million for development of vacant 47 and 51 Cannon St. buildings: The former Dutchess County Board of Elections and Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery Center will transform into a six-story, mixed-use development with residential units, commercial space and an underground parking garage will be created.
“These investments are helping transform underutilized spaces, improve quality of life, and position Poughkeepsie as a city that continues to grow and move forward,” Donat said.
Nickie Hayes is Breaking & Trending News Reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal. See her most recent articles here. Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie got $9.7 million in state funding for 10 city projects
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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