Could the seventh time be the charm for Newburgh leaders trying to secure a development grant worth $10 million from the state of New York?

The yearly award has eluded the city, which some business owners and council members believe is the candidate who stands to benefit the most from the grant.

Each year, the state awards a $10 million grant to municipalities whose leaders submit the best plans for improving their downtown areas.

The prizes are given to top applicants from 10 regions, including the Mid-Hudson.

Previously, Middletown, Kingston, Haverstraw, Peekskill and New Rochelle have won the awards.

Newburgh officials have not yet unveiled the plans they are about to submit to the state.

In past applications, they have proposed reconstruction of Newburgh Landing Pier and lining Broadway with trees.

A group of ecological landscapers with the company, One Nature, who maintain Safe Harbors Green Park in downtown say the city should prioritize green space in its application to improve its chances at the elusive DRI grant.

"I'd like to see Newburgh get that same kind of glow-up that other Hudson River towns have been getting," One Nature project manager John Moss said.

City Councilman Omari Shakur would not share details about this year's application. He did agree that a sudden infusion of $10 million into downtown is significant, especially in a city with 28,000 people and a yearly budget of around $60 million.

"When it comes to the infrastructure of our city, every dollar is welcome right now," Shakur said, "so $10 million is definitely a big dump in the pot."

The city's application for this round of grants is due Sept. 29. 

Councilman Shakur says city administrators have hired a consultant to review their application.