The Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency’s business development team reported progress Thursday on small-business support, a public-safety camera program and follow-up from a public-private partnership (P3) workshop hosted in the city.

During the agency meeting, the director of business development said the IDA and partners conducted two ribbon cuttings in recent weeks: Pearls Pediatric Dentistry at 26 West Broad Street (Dr. Melissa is the pediatric dentist cited in the record) and Home Freak, a halal takeout restaurant at 526 Gramington Avenue. Staff also said an indoor amusement business (referred to in the transcript as a phone-city indoor amusement park) is progressing through permitting with the Department of Buildings, with a target opening in July 2025.

Staff described a “Protected Places” program delivered in partnership with Motorola Solutions and the police department that provides a streaming device to connect existing exterior cameras to a Motorola safety hub. The agency reported it has installed the device at four businesses, has two sites awaiting installation, and seven businesses in various stages of onboarding and compatibility assessment. Staff said the devices were purchased with American Rescue Plan Act funds and that roughly 70 devices were bought for distribution; the presenter said about 63 devices remained to be installed.

Members also summarized a full-day conference the agency hosted with the United States Conference of Mayors and the P3 Institute, which included participation from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and the Business Council of Westchester. Agency leaders said the sessions covered procurement protections, financial structuring and the wider range of legal, design and operational issues that accompany P3 projects. Speakers discussed potential P3 applications for parking structures, school facilities that have been taken offline, water infrastructure and other large-capital projects, and said the IDA will continue outreach to identify private partners for possible P3 engagements.

A member noted small-business grant recipients continue to report that grants helped stabilize operations, and staff said the agency will prepare an application for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and continue business outreach.

Members asked staff to continue onboarding businesses for the camera program, advance permitting for the amusement business, and pursue private partners and technical assistance for potential P3 projects.