New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley’s tour of Peekskill on Thursday, June 25, weaved through its new and improved downtown sector, now dotted with state-funded, community-led art and infrastructure projects.
Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), one of New York’s flagship economic development programs, the state has funneled $10 million into installations and projects aiming to rejuvenate Peekskill’s downtown and waterfront.
“This investment is not only going to highlight all the things that make Peekskill what Peekskill is, it also embodies what our priorities are as a state,” Mosley told The Journal News. “What they’ve been able to do in terms of revitalizing the waterfront, what they’re doing in terms of building affordable housing, what they’re doing in terms of zoning … we couldn’t be prouder.”
The state-wide initiative strives to mold vibrant, walkable centers for business and community out of downtown neighborhoods across New York.
Art opens ‘bridges of communication’
Peekskill’s personal makeover is well-underway. Swathes of pavement are being redone to increase pedestrian safety. Pugsley Park, transformed from a neglected grassy pocket into a community gathering space, has been treated to more seating areas, lighting fixtures and play equipment for kids. Monument Park has received a landscaping and lighting upgrade.
Mosley’s tour of the complete and in-progress projects — led by Mayor Vivian McKenzie and Peekskill Department of Planning and Development’s director Carol Samol and assistant director Peter Irwin — also delineated how funds were being used to uplift local businesses, boost Peekskill’s marketing and achieve the town’s housing goals.
The tour then turned to the abstract. Mosley visited a spate of new public art installations scattered throughout Peekskill, sculptures erected through the DRI-funded “Enlighten Peekskill” project, spearheaded by Hudson Valley MOCA.
Lining the path from the MTA train station to downtown, the murals “cohesively reflect on the history and diversity of our city,” said Livia Straus, who founded Hudson Valley MOCA alongside her husband Marc.
The outdoor works — illuminated at night to double as a public safety tool — were crafted by an array of local artists.
“I can only appreciate what art can do in terms of making you speculate, making you ponder, question, debate and open up the bridges of communication,” said Mosley, a former artist himself. “I couldn’t think of a better way to spend DRI money on a project like this in a place like this.”
State funds as stepping stone
Mosley also emphasized the role of state funds as a stepping stone.
“It’s meant to further attract people who want to invest, who want to build, who want to be part of new growth,” Mosley said, standing in front of a locally-designed new map detailing Peekskill’s attractions and hubs.
State support also doesn’t end when the dollars do, he said.
“We just don’t give them money and leave,” Mosley told The Journal News. “We have our expertise, our professionals … our revitalization specialists who are here in the region to help them along the various next steps going forward.”
A local planning committee — composed of local stakeholders, residents and elected officials — drew up ideas for the revitalization projects based on community needs. The application process was officially kickstarted in 2016, said Irwin.
“We’re here because of you,” said Mosley, as he addressed a crowd of Peekskill locals at the ribbon cutting for ‘Enlighten Peekskill’ Thursday. “This is your community, something that you believe in, making your community a better place to live, work, and visit.”
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New York state pours $10M into Peekskill. ‘We couldn’t be prouder’
Reporting by Leia Green, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Leia Green, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
