Governor Paterson Signs Law to Strengthen NY Main Street Program

ALBANY, NY (09/22/2009)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson has signed legislation that will enhance the State's efforts to revitalize downtown business districts and main streets across the State. The new law converts a five-year-old agency initiative, known as New York Main Street, into a statewide program that will allow local governments to apply to the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) for NY Main Street program resources. Previously, only not-for-profit organizations were eligible for funding through the program, which hurt a number of communities that need funds for downtown improvement but do not have the type of not-for-profit network needed to apply. The new law also increases the maximum grant award from $200,000 to $500,000.

"The New York Main Street program has helped us to achieve great progress in our mission to bring new life to the cities, towns and villages across the State," Governor Paterson said. "With the changes enacted through this legislation, we will be able to further develop our downtown areas. Local governments now have access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, create jobs and improve their neighborhood centers, so that both businesses and citizens will continue to thrive throughout New York."

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen joined bill sponsor Senator David Valesky, as well as dozens of local elected, not-for-profit and business leaders to announce the new law in Syracuse. Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, who sponsored the bill in the Assembly, praised the success of the Main Street program in his Buffalo district.

"Western New York's business districts will benefit from this expanded program which promotes investment over stagnation and renovation over demolition," Assemblyman Hoyt said. "Creating walkable communities with thriving commercial districts is the surest way to stabilize and renew our neighborhoods, and the New York Main Street program will make revitalization more affordable and achievable in struggling areas.

Senator David Valesky, Vice President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, said, "Strengthening the successful New York Main Street program will help to jump-start new projects to bring people and businesses back to our city and village centers, and help them to become the economic engines they once were. I sponsored this legislation in the Senate because I have already seen the positive effects this program has had in Upstate New York. Increasing the maximum awards and making municipalities eligible will exponentially expand benefits for our communities."

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said, "There has been a strong demand for resources through the New York Main Street program, which has provided more than $61 million for projects in every region of the state. Governor Paterson listened to the needs of local leaders and stakeholders who wanted to see the program strengthened. This locally-driven enterprise now provides the tools needed to make a real difference for our local community partners."

The New York Main Street program helps stimulate reinvestment in New York's traditional community and commercial centers by providing resources for building rehabilitation, including the adaptive reuse of critical "anchor" buildings. It also provides for façade renovations and streetscape enhancements and encourages investment in projects that provide economic and housing opportunities.

DHCR has now conducted seven competitive funding rounds since the program began in 2004, issuing 265 awards in 175 communities in 61 counties, totaling $61.34 million in New York Main Street investments throughout the State. The program has also provided $8 million for relief of some flood-damaged main streets in 2006.The Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), chaired by Commissioner VanAmerongen and administered by DHCR's Office of Community Renewal, approved the awards.

Elected Officials and community leaders from across the state praised the Main Street Program legislation signed by Governor Paterson:

Utica Mayor David R. Roefaro said, "Small business is the backbone of Upstate New York. For cities like Utica, the improvements to the NY Main Street Program will retain business, inspire entrepreneurship, and propel the American dream for many of Utica's citizens. Already, the program has invested over $600,000 into Utica to support local business. A new brewery in our popular night life district, a new coffee shop complete with modern apartments, new facade for businesses in our Downtown, and some very thankful entrepreneurs are just a few of Utica's Main Street success stories. Today's announcement is a shot in the arm for all of New York. I commend Governor Paterson for leading us out of these trying economic times by putting his pen to this worthwhile legislation."

Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll said, "The City of Syracuse and its not-for-profit partners have used the New York Main Street program in our Downtown, North Salina, Eastwood, and South Salina business districts. Funding has assisted several businesses in these areas to improve their facades and make other improvements to their buildings. This legislation, introduced by Senator Valesky and Assemblyman Hoyt and signed by Governor Paterson, will make it a much more effective and flexible program for our business districts."

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said, "Healthy and vibrant main street corridors connect our communities to the simpler times of the past, while meeting our residents' shopping, dining and entertainment needs of today. Strengthening New York State's Main Street Program will dovetail nicely with our economic development efforts here in Suffolk County, in which we have invested millions in the revitalization of our downtowns and main street corridors."

Cortland Mayor Tom Gallagher said, "Cortland has had tremendous success revitalizing our downtown business district with the help of the NY Main Street program. Interest in the program has been so great that we have been able to prioritize applications that include first-floor renovations, historic preservation and relevancy and which can leverage additional funding from private sources. Once the work began, excitement began to build throughout our community. The NY Main Street program has been a key to making Downtown Cortland a vibrant and vital place to live and to do business."

Ralph J. Kreitzman, Mayor of the Village of Great Neck, said, "I commend Governor David A. Paterson's effort to enhance downtown business districts, areas that are critical to the health of communities throughout the state. Just as the Village of Great Neck is about to embark on our downtown revitalization program, we now have New York State as a partner. Without this support, financial and otherwise, this critical project, and so many others in our state, might never come to fruition. Without this new phase of assistance, on the part of Governor Paterson and New York State, many downtowns could well fade into oblivion, forever changing the character of our villages, hamlets and towns, forever changing New York State and its enviable quality of life."

Mayor Shawn D. Hogan of the City of Hornell (Steuben Co.) said: "I commend the Governor for his vision of a better New York by enhancing the New York Main Street program; the governor knows that a vibrant and healthy Main St. is vital to restoring hope and faith in our communities. By increasing the funding from $200,000 to 500,000, it makes the program more viable in local governments' efforts to promote commerce and apartment space and improve streetscapes and facades throughout New York. The Governor gets it, as he knows the benefits of strong downtowns to the quality of life for all New Yorkers."

Michael J. Bartlett, Executive Director of the Hamburg Development Corp. (Erie Co.) said: "The three NY Main Street grants that the Hamburg Development Corporation has received on behalf of the Village of Hamburg have resulted in at least $1.2 million in building investments in the Village's downtown business district. These funds are helping to breathe new life into the facades of buildings with fresh paint, awnings and repairs of historic features along with interior renovations – and are having a tremendous economic impact on the Village by helping to restore and revitalize 28 properties in the business district as well as providing affordable living opportunities and create jobs. The enhancements to the program that the Governor is implementing will be key in increasing the ability of the Village to maintain its small-neighborhood ambiance, while improving the economic climate in an area that has suffered considerably through disinvestment in commercial and residential properties. For this, the Governor should be commended."

Kevin O'Connor, Executive Director of the Rural Ulster Preservation Company, said: "New York's Main Street program had been a welcome addition to community revitalization efforts. The improvements delivered by the Governor will catapult the program to have even greater impact on Main Streets by providing more dollars to both municipalities and non-profits to revitalize our downtowns. The enhanced program will allow many New York communities to magnetize their downtowns as great places to live, work and play."

Denise Kasell of Telperion and Laurelin LLC, a property management small business in Ellenville (Ulster Co.), said: "As a first time woman business owner, the $10,000 façade renovation grant I received from the New York Main Street program was the impetus for doing a historically correct façade restoration, and I am currently nearing completion on the interior renovation of the building. The New York Main Street program continues to encourage me with the construction of my commercial building with apartments, and I know that this building will provide attractive housing and local jobs for the community. I know I am not alone in the Village of Ellenville when I say our Main Street community is looking a great deal better because of the New York Main Street program."

Laura P. Hackathorn, Trustee of the Village of Hamburg (Erie Co.), said: "The New York Main Street program has made a real difference in the quality of life for our Village residents. Our streets are alive again; Main Street is a magnet for community activity. The $200,000 we received from the 2006 grant alone contributed towards $1.4 million in investment in our Main Street. I commend Governor Patterson's dedication to Western New York and to economic development. By preserving and improving this grant program, it gives us the tools necessary to dig in and serve our community."

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