Peekskill Earns $10M, Recognized As 'Pro-Housing Community'

PEEKSKILL, NY — The City of Peekskill is being recognized for its efforts to improve the quality of life for every one of its residents.

During a press conference earlier this month in Pugsley Park, City of Peekskill officials discussed the city’s $10 million award from the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, and its recent certification as a NYS Pro-Housing Community. They also held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of Pugsley Park.

Over 50 people attended, including City Manager Matt Alexander, Deputy Mayor Patricia Riley and council members, NYS Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith, and members of the Peekskill Arts Alliance.

"The grand opening of the newly renovated Pugsley Park, the designation of Peekskill as a Pro-Housing Community, and winning a $10 million Momentum Fund award are examples of a community working together with all wheels turning at the same time," City Manager Matt Alexander said. "We are grateful for our partnerships with the county and state, and thank them for their participation and support."

The City of Peekskill was awarded $10 million through the NYS Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund last month as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s initiative to increase the housing supply in New York’s Mid-Hudson region, address the housing crisis, and reduce housing costs. The award will be used to make infrastructure improvements in the City of Peekskill and ensure existing residents are not unduly burdened by future development. The funding will specifically be used for streetscape, water, sewer, and parking improvements to support in-fill development and adaptive reuse in the downtown and redevelopment on the waterfront.

"As a lifelong resident, I am proud that the City of Peekskill has been awarded $10 million from the New York State Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund and has been designated as a Pro-Housing Community," said Deputy Mayor Patricia Riley. "Peekskill is a true gem in the Hudson Valley, with the completion of the Pugsley Park project adding to the beauty of our city."

Two other Westchester County municipalities also received Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund awards: the Village of Ossining was awarded $10 million through the program for the construction and operation of the new Indian Brook Water Treatment Plant to ensure high-quality drinking water for around 300 homes in the village, while the City of Mount Vernon received $8.7 million for a transit-oriented development project that will add 315 housing units.

Certified as a Pro-Housing Community in 2023, the City of Peekskill is working to unlock its full housing potential, and through its certification, is now eligible to receive up to $650 million in discretionary funding from the state.

Pugsley Park, a pocket park located in downtown Peekskill, has been enhanced as part of the New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative $10 million award. The city said that Pugsley Park previously lacked sufficient seating, efficient lighting, and merely served as a pass-through space rather than a destination for events and relaxation. The project has added new plazas and seating areas for events and enjoying the outdoors, dditional pedestrian scaled lighting, planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers, power hook-ups, a stage and public art installations featuring works from members of the Peekskill Arts Alliance to the downtown.

SEE ALSO: Village Of Ossining Wins $10M To Construct New Water Treatment Plant