Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for consideration, projects must:
- Be a capital project, e.g. new development
and/or rehabilitation of existing buildings, public space improvements, signage
or branding projects, façade enhancements etc. Proposals for planning studies
or ongoing operating costs e.g. staff expenses, are not eligible for this
grant.
- Have a project sponsor who can lead the
planning and implementation, enter into a contract agreement with the DOS, and
have the ability to cover project costs while awaiting reimbursement from DOS.
- Demonstrate site control via ownership, lease
or other legal agreement.
- Have a defined scope and budget based on
professional plans or estimates from comparable projects. The budget should
demonstrate that the proposed project would be fully funded once funds
requested through DRI grant are taken into account.
-
Demonstrate that it will contribute to the
economic revitalization of the East Williamsburg DRI area, support
affordability, support area businesses, including projects that create or
retain jobs, improve quality of life, activate public spaces, and achieve
climate goals.
Eligible Projects
- Public Improvement
Projects:
These may include projects such as
streetscape and transportation improvements, recreational trails, wayfinding
signage, new and upgraded parks, plazas, public art, green infrastructure, and
other public realm projects that will contribute to the revitalization of the
downtown.
-
New Development and/or
Rehabilitation of Existing Downtown Building:
Projects in this category may include the development or redevelopment of real
property for mixed-use, commercial, residential, not-for-profit, or public
uses. All projects should be capital investments or should lead to capital
investments. They should have a visible and functional impact on the downtown,
serving as catalytic or transformative projects that will provide employment
opportunities, housing choices, and/or services for the community.
-
Small Project Fund:
A locally managed matching small project fund may be proposed to
undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as facade enhancements,
building renovation improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business
assistance, or public art. Funds are capped at $1,000,000 for the NYC DRI
community.
-
Branding and Marketing:
Examples include downtown branding and marketing projects that may
target residents, investors, developers, tourists, and/or visitors. The costs
eligible under this category must be one-time expenses, such as those to
develop materials and signage. Ongoing operational costs, such as funding a
downtown manager or maintaining a website, are not eligible for DRI funding.
Non-Eligible Projects
- Planning activities:
Following the preparation of the Strategic Investment Plan, all DRI
funds must be used for projects that directly implement the plan.
-
Operations and maintenance:
DRI funds cannot be used for ongoing or routine expenses, such as
staff salaries and wages, rent, utilities, and property upkeep.
-
Pre-award costs:
Reimbursement for costs incurred before the completion of the Strategic
Investment Plan and the announcement of funding awards is not permitted.
-
Property acquisition:
The cost of property acquisition can be included in the overall project
budget, but the acquisition must be funded by another funding source.
-
Training and other program
expenses:
The DRI program is a one-time infusion of
funds and cannot be used to cover continuous costs, such as training costs and
expenses related to existing programs.
-
Expenses related to
existing programs:
DRI funds cannot be used to supplement
existing programs or replace existing resources.
Additional Resources
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