Sleepy Hollow Wins $4.5M In 'NY Forward' Downtown Revitalization Funds

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY — Sleepy Hollow will soon get a noticeable facelift, thanks in part to millions from the State of New York.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week a total of 21 transformative projects for the Hudson Valley region as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward. Five of the projects are in the Village of Sleepy Hollow, which is also a Round 1 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award. The other 16 projects are in Orange County (Port Jervis, Cornwall and Cornwall-on-Hudson).

The 5 Sleepy Hollow NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:

• Transforming the Strand Theatre into a Community Arts and Culture Center: $1.5M Renovating the Strand Theatre into a multi-purpose venue to showcase a diverse range of performers and artists. The theatre will have studio space for local artists or arts groups, a gallery and the future Sleepy Hollow Visitors Center.

• Creating "Plaza Nueva" and Redesigning the Park at Morse School: $1M Renovating the park at the Morse School to create a destination and a valuable resource for the community for when classes are not in session, including new play equipment and a new seating area.

• Improving Streetscape Along Cortlandt St.: $1.2M Restoring streetscape along Cortlandt St. with new sidewalks and crosswalks, better drainage, trees, lighting, new street furniture and four EV charging stations.

• Constructing Affordable Housing at 100 College Avenue: $500K Developing underutilized property at 100 College Avenue with a transit-oriented mixed-use affordable housing development.

• Instituting a Façade Improvement Fund: $300K Establishing a façade improvement fund to allow business and property owners to improve their building façades in accordance with the Downtown Sleepy Hollow Façade Renovation Design Standards.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I'd like to thank Governor Hochul for the best 150th anniversary present the Village of Sleepy Hollow could ask for — a grant of 4.5 million dollars toward projects to revitalize our downtown," Mayor Martin Rutyna said. "We are proud to announce that the five funded projects will upgrade our infrastructure, expand shared public space and improve the playground for students at W.L. Morse, reimagine the Strand Theater as a cultural and visitors center with space for artists, art lovers and visitors, create affordable housing, and support small businesses through a facade improvement fund."

The DRI investments are part of New York's ongoing efforts to revitalize the economy and create more opportunities in the Mid-Hudson region. The DRI is led by the Department of State, which provides technical assistance as each participating community develops a Strategic Investment Plan identifying specific projects with a unique vision for the revitalization of their downtown area.

"Generations of New Yorkers have experienced the historic and vibrant Mid-Hudson downtowns, and we are taking steps to safeguard their future," Gov. Hochul said last week when announcing the awards. "These major investments will drive economic revitalization for businesses and local communities and create a place where families can thrive."

After being selected to receive NY Forward funding in March 2023, a 12-member Local Planning Committee (LPC), co-chaired by Mayor Rutyna and Dr. Marsha Gordon, was formed. Other LPC members included: Rev. Christian Santiago, Jessica Mejias, Kirsten Hase-McLaughlin, Laura Rey Iannarelli, Mark Soja, Michele Gonzalez, Michelle Spino Andruss, René León, Sara Hodgdon, and Torrance Walley. The committee held six meetings and conducted two community workshops and three local outreach activities to engage the public in developing projects to submit to NYS for selection and funding.

"Our 150th commemorations have focused on the accomplishments of those who have made Sleepy Hollow such a wonderful place to live, work and visit," Mayor Rutyna said. "We are eager to invite the Governor back in future years to see how New York Forward funding has secured the fruits of their labor."