Ideas for Downtown Revitalization Wanted at Thursday Input Session
Port Jervis is one of several regional cities that can now vie for a grant of up to $20 million from the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative of Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. That application requires public input by 4 p.m. on Sept. 15, says Valerie Maginsky, executive director of Port Jervis Community Development Agency. So at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, Mayor Kelly Decker will lead a public input session in Riverside Park, with Common Council Chambers as rainy day alternative. Zoom access will also be available
Assisting Decker will be Maginsky and Jeremy Shannon, who has launched the Port Jervis Carbon Positive 2026 project, a volunteer effort to enable the city to generate more energy than it takes from the utility grid.
“The current area under consideration encompasses the Port Jervis Dog Park, Erie Turntable, access to the Metro North Train Station, Front and Ball St., and Riverside Park access and utilization,” said Maginsky.
Discussion, suggestions and comments should focus on answering these questions, she said:
- What is at the top of your wish list for downtown Port Jervis?
- What do we currently have in downtown Port Jervis that needs improvement?
- How do you see Port Jervis in 10-15 years?
- What does Port Jervis need to make it a better, economically thriving, healthier, welcoming city for residents and visitors?
She encourages people to bring their ideas. Previous recipients of the grant have included Middletown, Kingston, Peekskill and New Rochelle.
Public DRI input session: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, in Riverside Park. Rainy day alternative: Common Council Chambers at 20 Hammond St. Both locations are ADA accessible. For park attendance, bring your own chair.
Zoom access: Meeting ID: 405-793-5811. ZOOM Telephone: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
To have suggestions included for application consideration, by Monday, 9/6/2021, email suggestions from now through 9/6/21 to: Info@PortJervisNY.gov, or contact Mayor Decker at: 845-858-4017, or PJCDA Executive Director Valerie Maginsky at: 845-858-4024. To assure timely receipt, written comments may be hand deposited in the mailbox at the front door of City Hall, 20 Hammond St. or mail a hardcopy to: Mayor Decker, P.O. Box 1002, Port Jervis, NY 12771.