Round 8 Application
Downtown Revitalization Initiative application public open house
The City of Rochester is applying for a $10 million grant from New York State to improve the Four Corners section of downtown.
Attend a public open house to learn about the opportunity and share your ideas about how to improve Rochester’s Four Corners. Your input will strengthen the grant application!
Where and when
🗓️ | Thursday, September 26, 2024
⏰ | 4-6 p.m.
📍 | First Federal Plaza Lobby
DRI Background
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a New York State program that provides $10 million in matching grant funding for capital improvement projects that revitalize downtown areas, such as new developments, building rehabilitation, or public space enhancements. Only one community in the Finger Lakes region will be awarded $10 million in DRI funding. Please visit this New York State webpage for more information about the program.
Pending City Council approval, the City of Rochester will apply for $10 million in DRI funding to revitalize the Four Corners section of downtown. If Rochester is awarded $10 million, eligible projects located in the Four Corners focus area will be able to apply for up to 50% of their total project costs to be covered by the DRI program.
About Four Corners
The proposed DRI focus area will target the Four Corners section of downtown, which is generally bounded by West Broad Street, the Genesee River, Church Street, and North Fitzhugh Street.
The City's DRI application will continue the revitalization efforts funded through Round 5 of the program from the east side of downtown to the west side of the river. For more information about the City of Rochester's Round 5 Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects, click the button below:
Downtown Revitalization Initiative: Rochester, NY
The historic center of downtown, Four Corners has experienced disinvestment since the pandemic.
This DRI application will seek to build upon recent and ongoing public and private investments in the area, including Constellation Brands’ new headquarters, numerous public infrastructure improvements such as the State Street Reconstruction, and ROC the Riverway projects including the Aqueduct District Street Improvement Project, the Main Street Streetscape Project, and the new Austin Steward Plaza.
Project Interest Form
The City of Rochester is seeking Project Interest Forms from business owners, property owners, and developers for projects located in the Four Corners neighborhood, within the proposed DRI boundaries specified above.
Eligible costs include new development or rehabilitation for mixed-use, commercial, residential, or public uses; public improvements such as parks, public spaces, and streetscape improvements; and branding/marketing such as signage and promotional materials. Submitted Project Interest Forms will be used to support the City's application for $10 million in DRI funding from New York State.
If the City is awarded DRI funding, business owners, property owners, and developers will be able to apply for up to 50% of total eligible project costs to be covered by the program. The Project Interest Form is due by 5 p.m. on October 2, 2024.
Click here for the Project Interest Form
Timeline
| Date | Activity |
| September 24, 2024 | Rochester City Council will vote on whether to authorize submission of DRI application to New York State. |
| September 26, 2024 | The City will hold a public event for the community to contribute to the development of the vision for downtown. Check back here for details. |
| October 18, 2024 | If City Council authorizes submission, the City of Rochester will submit its application for DRI to New York State for review. |
| Spring 2025 | The City will be notified if it is awarded DRI funding. |
If DRI funding is awarded:
| Date | Activity |
| Summer 2025 | Applications will open for business owners, property owners, and developers to request funding from the DRI program. |
| Summer/Fall 2025 | Submitted applications will be evaluated by a local committee and State representatives. |
| Spring 2026 | Winning projects will be announced. Project sponsors will contract with New York State and can begin work. |
See more: Downtown Revitalization Invitiative