White Plains to Receive $10M from Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement Thursday that the City of White Plains will receive $10 million in funding as the Mid-Hudson Region’s top winner in the latest round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a major endorsement of its ongoing commitment to the future of its downtown district.

Addressing a standing room crowd gathered at the Sonesta Hotel, the Governor cited White Plains for its commitment to a range of projects and programs all targeted to ensuring an equitable, inclusive and sustainable future. A leading example is the planned replacement of the closed Galleria Mall with a $2.5 billion mixed-use residential, commercial and open space project. Highland Falls and Montgomery also received $4.5 million each as New York Forward winners. Last year, the Village of Sleepy Hollow was a New York Forward winner.

“Local communities’ downtowns are part of what makes New York State vibrant and great,” Gov. Hochul said.“ These initiatives not only provide communities with the necessary funding to revitalize their downtowns, but also help them feel seen and heard by the state.”

BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon, who is co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council with Kristine Young, President of SUNY Orange, said the White Plains grant is a recognition of the city’s dynamism and vision. “The competition in our region for these grants is extraordinarily strong with more than 100 communities vying this year. To be the top winner is very exciting and something Mayor Tom Roach, Planning Commissioner Chris Gomez and the entire city can be genuinely proud of,” Gordon said.

The City of White Plains DRI application—entitled, “The Heart of White Plains”—focuses on the City’s traditional urban core, which is considered a walker’s paradise, having achieved a walk score of 98 out of 100. The area is home to numerous multi-family developments, the soon to be redeveloped Galleria, a thriving restaurant row and hospitality center and the busiest Metro North train station in the lower Hudson Valley.

White Plains has made a commitment to addressing the current housing crisis in its application and has been named a Pro-Housing community. Projects identified by the community focus on green affordable housing, community gathering centers, safe and accessible pedestrian and bike infrastructure and interconnectivity between the downtown and an adjacent low-/moderate income neighborhood.

White Plains will begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.

With the Governor’s commitment last year of $100 million each for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, the State has now invested a combined total of $1 billion in both programs since their inception. The Governor has proposed another $100 million for each program, totaling $200 million, in her Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget.