Governor Hochul Announces East Harlem as the $10 Million New York City Region Winner of Sixth-Round Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Downtown Revitalization Investments are a Critical Part of the State's Comprehensive Economic Development and Community Growth Strategy

State to Work with Residents, Community Leaders and Public Officials to Revitalize East Harlem

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that East Harlem will receive $10 million in funding as the New York City region winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Each of the state's 10 economic development regions will be awarded $10 million during this sixth round, which will total a $100 million state commitment to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

"The rich culture and history of East Harlem is an incredibly important part of New York City's story," Governor Hochul said. "Through this $10 million investment, we can help the community preserve its heritage and spur economic development within the neighborhood for generations to come. I look forward to seeing East Harlem write the next chapter in its vibrant story."

The DRI serves as a component of the state's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that offer a high quality of life and attract businesses, jobs and economic and housing diversity. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identifies a list of signature projects that have transformative potential and leverage further private and public investments. The Department of State will then award DRI funds to selected projects with the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and realize the community's vision.

East Harlem

East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem, is the world's largest Puerto Rican neighborhood after San Juan, Puerto Rico. The neighborhood is known for bustling streets and local businesses, vibrant art and murals, carefully tended-to community gardens and a community dedicated to advocating for and preserving their homes. The community is committed to maintaining its rich cultural heritage, while remaining true to its legacy of social justice activism.

The vision for East Harlem includes transforming the area into a transit hub and gateway to El Barrio that builds upon existing economic activity and drives future economic and employment growth in the community. With the Second Avenue Subway and Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement projects moving forward, East Harlem seeks to incorporate safe streets, green and functional public spaces, intermodal connections, and local retail. These investments will be paralleled by projects supporting community health, clean air and sidewalks, and cultural caretaking and wayfinding that will ensure that the history and future of El Barrio is solidified amid neighborhood change.

The New York City Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered the criteria below before recommending East Harlem as the nominee:

  • Downtown is compact, with well-defined boundaries;

  • Downtown can capitalize on prior, or catalyze future private and public investment;

  • Recent or impending job growth within, or close to, the downtown that can attract workers, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;

  • Downtown is an attractive and livable community for diverse populations;

  • Municipality already embraces, or has the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life;

  • Municipality conducted open and robust community engagement resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives;

  • Municipality has the local capacity to manage the DRI process; and

  • Municipality has identified transformative projects that will be ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of DRI funds.

East Harlem has been awarded $10 million in state funding and investments to revitalize its downtown neighborhood and generate new opportunities for long-term growth following the local planning process. East Harlem joins the communities of Jamaica, the Bronx, Downtown Brooklyn, Staten Island and Chinatown, which were the New York City Region's winners in the first five DRI rounds.

East Harlem 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. The Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities to identify economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with each community's vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation. The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that will advance the community's vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state's $10 million investment. Plans for the DRI's sixth round will be complete in 2023.

Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Through this $10 million investment, we can help the community preserve its heritage and spur economic development within the neighborhood for generations to come. I look forward to seeing East Harlem write the next chapter in its vibrant story.”

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "East Harlem, mi querido El Barrio, is one of New York City's most vibrant neighborhoods filled with rich history, culture, and a strong Latino and African American Identity. From the birthplaces of Tito Puente and Langston Hughes or Mayor LaGuardia, the activism of the Younglords, to the museums at the top of Museum Mile, East Harlem continues to contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of New York City. Funding through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will help this iconic neighborhood continue to showcase all that is has to offer, attracting visitors from across the state experience life in El Barrio, while preserving its historic legacy and improving the quality of life for existing residents by transforming this vital corridor."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The investments made through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative are breathing new life into neighborhoods across New York State, furthering our economic development goals. As an East Harlem native, I know the impact this funding will have in improving the heart and soul of this vibrant community. By revitalizing East Harlem, we are creating a dynamic hub of economic activity that will not only drive growth but also bring new opportunities for both residents and businesses alike."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnneVisnauskas said, "East Harlem is one of the most vibrant and culturally rich communities in our state, and the continued investment through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative provides momentum to the ongoing transformation of this neighborhood. The latest $10 million award is part of a holistic strategy that enhances local assets to meet the unique needs of East Harlem and, importantly, complements Governor Hochul's new Housing Compact proposal that will expand the supply of affordable housing and create safer, more stable, vibrant communities."

Representative Adriano Espaillat said, "I commend Governor Hochul for her ongoing commitment to revitalize some on New York's most influential neighborhoods and communities. El Barrio has played a significant role in New York's cultural identity and undoubtedly has a special place in the hearts of many who call this neighborhood home. I am grateful East Harlem has been chosen to receive $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and look forward to witnessing how this funding will be utilized to bolster community and economic development, drive employment growth in the area, create green and functional public spaces, and support clear air and community health throughout the region."

Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs said, "I applaud Governor Hochul and the New York City Regional Economic Development Council for selecting East Harlem to receive the DRI funding. With major projects like the Second Avenue Subway slated to expand to 125th St, this funding will help to preserve our culture and enhance our community."

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding is fantastic news for East Harlem, and a reflection of how important the neighborhood is for the economic strength of the entire region. We applied for this funding because we knew that this investment would provide a transformational opportunity to invest in the rich cultural, social and economic fabric that makes East Harlem a unique and vibrant part of our borough. I am grateful to the Governor and Empire State Development for their partnership, andlook forward to working with local stakeholders and neighbors in the weeks and months ahead to get these dollars to where they are most impactful."

New York City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala said, “East Harlem is in desperate need of economic development. The ten million dollars being awarded today will go a long way in creating opportunities for economic growth within our community.”

Board Chair of Uptown Grand Central Diane Collier said, "This is an Oscar moment for East Harlem. We're thankful to the governor for committing $10 million to our neighborhood to make economic development happen and our community truly thrive."

New York City Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Winston Fisher, Partner at Fisher Brothers, and Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, City University of New York Chancellor, said, "The NYCREDC is proud to support the transformation of East Harlem through the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. A thriving downtown is not only the heart of a neighborhood, but it also serves as the center of commerce, culture, and community. Investing in East Harlem's revitalization represents an investment in the community's economic well-being as well as its social prosperity."

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State's bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

In the first five years of the program, the state committed $600 million investing in 59 downtowns ripe for revitalization and that have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity and opportunity. Participating communities are nominated by the state's 10Regional Economic Development Councils based on the downtown's potential for transformation. Each community is awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community's vision for revitalization and leverage additional private and public investments.

More information on the DRI is available here.