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Three Capital Region communities—Rensselaer, Scotia, and Watervliet—have received a combined $19 million in state funding for downtown revitalization, Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week. The investment, part of a larger $200 million statewide effort, aims to transform local downtowns into vibrant economic and community hubs.
According to CBS 6 Albany, Rensselaer will receive $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), while Scotia and Watervliet will each get $4.5 million through the New York Forward program. The funding will support projects that expand housing options, improve public spaces, and boost local economies.
In Rensselaer, the money will go toward enhancing the city’s walkable downtown, focusing on the Columbia Street corridor, Broadway business district, and the areas surrounding the Albany-Rensselaer train station, which serves between 800,000 and 900,000 passengers annually. Leaders plan to connect neighborhoods to the riverfront and add new housing, public amenities, and cultural spaces, as noted by WNYT.
Scotia will use its share to build on revitalization efforts along the Mohawk Avenue corridor and waterfront. The village aims to redevelop underutilized properties and support local businesses, all while maintaining its historic character.
Watervliet’s funds are earmarked for improvements along the 19th Street corridor and riverfront. The city plans to upgrade streetscapes, help small businesses, and make safer connections between homes, schools, parks, and the waterfront.
To qualify for these funds, each community had to be certified under the state’s Pro-Housing Communities Program, which encourages increased housing development. Over 400 communities statewide now have this certification, giving them access to additional discretionary funding, according to the governor’s newsroom.
Local leaders called the funding “transformative” and said it represents a major step forward for housing, business, and quality of life in their communities. Each municipality will now work with residents and stakeholders to decide how to best use the funds to create sustainable, thriving downtowns.