Peekskill awards nearly $99,000 in downtown revitalization grants to seven small projects

Abby Redetti, the DRF grant administrator, told the City of Peekskill Committee of the Whole that the city’s DRF program is part of a $10,000,000 Downtown Revitalization Initiative award and that a $700,000 DRF pot was set aside to help local businesses with capital improvements. “Up to 90% of that fund is available on a reimbursement basis for local businesses,” Redetti said.

Redetti said nine projects had been funded in a prior round; one withdrew, leaving about $111,000 for round two. A project-review committee evaluated 10 new applicants and recommended seven awards that together will use roughly $99,000. The winners include New Era Creative Space (203 Esther St.) for exterior facade and interior work, the Peekskill Performing Arts Center for high-quality signage, and several downtown facade and roof repairs on Park Street and Main Street. Redetti said each award requires at least a 10% owner match and that applicants were required to provide at least two contractor quotes when applying.

Council members asked about clustering projects under a single owner, the scope of high‑quality signage for the performing arts center and how conflicts would be handled if a grant recipient sits on a city board. Staff said state reviewers had commented on the selections before tonight’s presentation and that recusal would be required if a board member seeks funding for a project on which the board is taking action. Redetti said final funding agreements and environmental reviews must be completed before construction bids are issued. The city will notify applicants in writing and coordinate scopes and environmental review with the state before moving to funding agreements and bidding.