The Dobbs Ferry Local Planning Committee formally launched the village’s New York Forward downtown revitalization process at a public meeting, establishing a target downtown boundary, a public workshop schedule and the rules that will govern project submissions and state awards.

The program is tied to a $4.5 million New York Forward award intended to support capital projects — streetscape work, building rehabilitation, public improvements, and a small‑grants pool — designed to make the downtown more walkable, resilient and economically active. “We are very excited to go through these next 8 months of a planning process,” said Susan, the project manager on the state team, who described the committee’s role overseeing public outreach, project evaluation and the final strategic investment plan.

The process will run roughly eight months and includes two public workshops and an open call for projects. The committee set a public workshop for June 3 (6 p.m., Embassy Center) and plans to open the call for projects on June 4; project proposals will be accepted through July 31. The state team and consultants will hold informational sessions and virtual office hours (scheduled in June and July) to help applicants complete the state’s application form. Project sponsors should plan for reimbursement‑style contracts: the state pays on a reimbursement basis and some agencies may disburse funds only after milestones are met, so project sponsors often need bridge financing.

Committee members and consultants emphasized what kinds of projects are eligible and competitive. Eligible categories are public improvements (streetscapes, parks, public art), new construction or rehabilitation (including mixed‑use and nonprofit projects), a small project fund for many smaller interventions, and downtown branding and marketing (not individual business advertising). Projects should be primarily capital in nature; planning, routine operations, maintenance and pre‑award costs are not eligible. The program generally seeks projects that can have “shovel ready” status within two years of award and that cost at least $75,000; smaller projects can be considered through a small‑project regrant fund.

On financing and equity rules, the committee heard that private sponsors must provide a minimum 25% contribution of total project costs; public and nonprofit sponsors have no state‑required minimum match but the LPC may set one. The state encourages leveraging other funds — the committee will aim to submit a slate of projects totaling $6–$8 million so the state has alternatives when it makes awards. The state also expects contractors to meet participation goals: roughly 30% of state funds should go to minority‑ or women‑owned business enterprises and about 6% to service‑disabled veteran‑owned businesses, and prevailing‑wage rules typically apply to public projects or projects receiving certain levels of subsidy. Larger building projects will need to meet state decarbonization requirements; the committee said consultants will provide technical guidance on those rules.

Committee members also approved a small boundary tweak to the downtown area to add a triangular parcel adjacent to Cedar Street and the Stop & Shop area that participants said functionally connects to the downtown. The LPC agreed to circulate the revised map before the June public workshop. The mayor said the boundary centers on the Metro‑North station and Waterfront Park and was drawn to allow projects that connect that gateway to the rest of the downtown, including High Street Park and Memorial Park.

The Local Planning Committee will meet again on June 25 (meeting time moved to 6:15 p.m. at Village Hall), with tentative follow‑up meetings on Aug. 21, Sept. 17 (a longer meeting to hear project sponsor presentations), Oct. 15 and a hold date of Oct. 29 for a final vote. The consultants and state staff said they will prepare project profiles for any applications and that the LPC will develop local evaluation criteria that will complement the state’s review (alignment with goals, community support, readiness, catalytic effect, co‑benefits and cost effectiveness).

Speakers and committee members urged robust public outreach: translated materials and Spanish interpretation, targeted outreach to students and campus communities, seniors, businesses and local congregations, and booth‑style engagement at existing well‑attended events. “Downtowns are going through a really important transition right now...this money can certainly be very useful in terms of making our downtown a more attractive place,” Assemblymember Mary Jane Shimsky told the group.

Next steps for the LPC include refining the vision and evaluation criteria, promoting the June public workshop and making the open call available on the project website. The consultant team (BHB and subconsultants) will produce a downtown profile and assessment to inform project scoring and will package a slate of recommended projects for submission to state agencies in late fall; the state’s multi‑agency review can take several months, with award announcements expected in the spring following review.