Peekskill to receive $10M grant to upgrade its downtown

Peekskill was selected as the winner of the $10 million "Downtown Revitalization Initiative" in 2019, and was challenged with proposing innovative ideas to create jobs and drive economic growth.

News 12 Staff

May 11, 2021, 9:53 PM

Updated 1,245 days ago

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A city in Westchester is getting millions of dollars to improve its downtown.
Peekskill was selected as the winner of the $10 million "Downtown Revitalization Initiative" in 2019, and was challenged with proposing innovative ideas to create jobs and drive economic growth.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was in the city Tuesday to announce which projects the state had approved.
They include reconstructing Fleishman's Pier, improving the city's public Wi-Fi and placing public art throughout the city.
Over the years, the old river town has seen a rebirth as a center for the arts, and a destination for visitors as a place with eclectic shops and restaurants.
Officials say it had struggled with connecting its beautiful waterfront to its downtown area.
Louie Lanza, a local restaurateur and real estate investor, says this funding will pave the way for a second renaissance.
"I think it's a key time to get into a city that has the vibe we're hot right now, get in there at the right time, get your leases, get in relatively inexpensively as a new business owner," he says.
The projects aim to help grow the downtown area and increase tourism in the area, build the city's employment and recreational opportunities increase the quality of life and strengthen the local economy.