Website on process open to public
At last Monday’s meeting of the Village Board it was announced that a website has been created to keep the community updated on the village’s application to the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) for a $10 million grant.
The website is www.highlandfallsrevitalization.org, and it will be continually updated with the steps the village must complete for the grant, along with communication from the state.
The DRI program was started to restore downtown areas in recognition of the vital role these areas play in a community’s well-being.
“The Village of Highland Falls has undertaken a thoughtful and inclusive process in preparing its DRI program. A range of community outreach efforts and strategic planning has been undertaken resulting in a series of integrated programs and projects that are ready for implementation. The final step in this process is to apply for and receive funding through the NYS DRI program in 2019,” according to the website.
The application deadline is today, May 31.
At the meeting last week, a period was set aside for ‘public outreach’ on the project. Mayor Joe D’Onofro said the village received “overwhelming letters of support” for the project — “from organizations large and small, county and state officials”. Some of those letters are posted on the website. In addition, copies of previous studies of the village are posted.
He also said a petition was signed by community residents hoping the village willl receive grant funding for revitalization, and that will be submitted with the application. The mayor also commented on comments that had been received from residents about the types of revitalization projects they’d like to see, noting that many were similar.
“When so many people make the same suggestion, it’s definitely something to look at,” he said.
