Three opportunities to let your voice be heard: Aug. 29, Sept. 16, and Sept. 23
It’s time to decide how to spend the $20M that NYS Governor Kathy Hochul allocated to East Williamsburg as part of the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The DRI process is designed to be transparent and inclusive. Throughout the planning effort, the public is invited to contribute ideas, help shape the vision and revitalization goals for the East Williamsburg DRI, and submit projects that advance community priorities and leverage additional investment.
On August 29, there will be a DRI info session at the Williamsburg Resource Fair from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will be located at the Williamsburg Resident Association (254 Graham Avenue), look for the East Williamsburg DRI table.
The first local planning committee meeting for the East Williamsburg DRI will convene on September 16 at 9 a.m. at the Williamsburg Community Center (195 Graham Avenue). This meeting is open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend. Following this meeting, a call for projects will open to invite proposals for capital investments that will be funded through the $20M DRI grant. It is expected that DRI funds will be used for capital projects that will transform the area’s physical environment in ways that will benefit current residents and future generations.
A week later, on September 23 at 6 p.m. a public workshop will be hosted at the Williamsburg Community Center.
Among the criteria proposed projects must meet: Be a capital project, for example, new development and/or rehabilitation of existing buildings, public space improvements, signage or branding projects, or façade enhancements; Have a defined scope and budget based on professional plans or estimates from comparable projects. The budget should demonstrate that the proposed project would be fully funded once funds requested through DRI grant are taken into account; Demonstrate that it will contribute to the economic revitalization of the East Williamsburg DRI area, support affordability, support area businesses, including projects that create or retain jobs, improve quality of life, activate public spaces, and achieve climate goals; Demonstrate site control via ownership, lease or other legal agreement; and Have a project sponsor who can lead the planning and implementation, enter into a contract agreement with the DOS, and have the ability to cover project costs while awaiting reimbursement from DOS.
Visit https://eastwilliamsburgdri.com/ for more details on how to participate in shaping East Williamsburg’s future
The Greenline 