Pondering How to Spend $10 Million to Make Port Jervis Better
Recently awarded the $10 million New York State Dowtown Revitalization Initiative grant, the newly formed DRI committee held a public meeting to discuss best uses of the money.
A crowd gathered last week for the first public meeting to decide how Port Jervis will spend the $10 million New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant recently awarded. Filling most seats at Port Jervis Recreation Center, a committee of ten, mostly Port Jervians, convened with several state staff members and about 40 interested and opinionated residents who made suggestions.
The committee of ten was chosen from a list provided by Mayor Kelly Decker to state staff participants.
“I gave the state nearly 50 names of residents, members of organizations, developers, and business owners and they vetted and approved them to form the committee we have now,” said Decker. “They are a crosscut of our community as well as a couple of outside members who are involved in our city.”
These are the committee members:
Dr. Kristine Young - Co-chair (President, SUNY Orange)
Kelly Decker - Co-chair (Port Jervis mayor)
Laura Quick - Port Jervis city clerk treasurer
Valerie Maginsky - Port Jervis Community Development Agency executive director
Carl Hendrick
Gwendolyn Glinton
Deejay Birtch
Mike Ward
Gina Torres
Jen Foster
Jim Blanton
Joe Butto
Penny Jones
Sophie Crawford-Rosso
Conner Eckert
Captain Scott Swires (Salvation Army)
Robert Bloomer
“Fundable” projects, state representatives said, include public art, walkability improvements, recreation, streetscape enhancement and marketing. Whatever choices are made, breaking ground for them must happen within two years, and they must be “transformative.”
Most ideas mentioned have been discussed before, and some are already in progress. They included the Transportation History Center, a train that would go through Riverside Park and along the canal above, sidewalks from the train station to downtown and Complete Streets that would provide a bike lane.
Also discussed, and begun downtown by Jim Blanton, is development of the upper stories of downtown buildings. Many have ground level storefronts and abundant unused space above. Blanton and his partner Dan Radtke bought a condemned four story building on Front St., took out a big loan and built storefronts on the first floor that are now successfully occupied. Above, they built apartments that were eagerly taken once ready.
“I encounter building owners resistant to developing upper level floors, but we need more homes and residents to support businesses,” Blanton said. “People looking out windows makes it safer. When there’s a ghost town after hours, it’s deadly. We need more ideas for upper floors, including condos and co-ops.”
He noted the value of having a “car optional” setting and suggested streamlining the city application process with planning and zoning boards.
“Kids don’t want to drive,” he said. “That can be marketed.”
“Jim has 20- and 30-year-old tenants and couples with children, who love living there,” said Decker.
A man suggested the need for a parking garage for the city to “flourish.”
A woman emphasized the need for a bike lane.
Another woman called for activities for all ages.
“Recreation possibilities are many,” said Mike Ward, president of the Outdoor Club of Port Jervis. “We need parking.”
With the “open call for projects,” the public can submit project ideas, as well as comments and questions (https://www.portjervisny.gov/dri), and get help from “consultant teams.” The next DRI committee meeting will be virtual at 6:30 p.m. athttps://www.facebook.com/portjervis.mayor/.
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As discussed at the LPC meeting the June 6th meeting is scheduled as a virtual LPC meeting to discuss several items including the Vision Statement, project match, outreach and the open call for projects.