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Mayor: Jamestown awarded $10 million DRI; state will lead project selection and appoint local planning committee
Summary
Mayor Ragland announced the state awarded Jamestown and Falconer $10 million under the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, described a state-led review process, and said a state-appointed local planning committee (no elected officials; up to 15 members) and several public sessions will guide project selection.
Mayor Ragland told the council that Jamestown (along with Falconer) has received a $10 million award through the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and outlined next steps. He said state agencies — the Department of State, Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and the Governor's Office — "are our lead agency. They are the ones who going to direct us on the process, how we meet, what we do," and that those agencies will visit Jamestown for an initial review and tour.
The mayor said the state will appoint the chair and co-chair the local planning committee, which will be composed of no more than 15 members drawn from different parts of the community. He emphasized that elected officials cannot serve on that committee under state guidelines and described the panel as a sounding board that will work with the state to refine and prioritize projects; the state retains final authority over which projects move forward and the funding allocations.
City staff noted there were 24 projects submitted in the initial application and that not all can be funded. The mayor encouraged council members and the public to attend the multiple public sessions the state will schedule during the local planning process and said the city team (including the Department of Development) will provide information and materials to the public as the process moves quickly.
No formal council vote is required on the DRI award; the state will lead selection and make final project decisions. The mayor said the city will focus on coordination with the state and on aligning DRI priorities with the forthcoming comprehensive plan.
