The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Process

  • 1. Local Planning Committee Formation

    Coordinated by DOS, state agencies (DOS, HCR, ESD and others) work with local officials and Regional Council members to identify stakeholders and community representatives to serve on the Local Planning Committee (LPC). The Secretary of State issues invitations to participate as LPC members.

  • 2. Community Engagement

    Inclusive community engagement is vital to successful DRI planning and implementation. The public will be kept informed of progress and invited to proactively contribute ideas throughout the development of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Notices of public meetings, events, and opportunities to provide feedback will be posted on this website and publicized through print, media, and online channels.

  • 3. Goals, Vision, and Strategies

    Guiding framework for the DRI Strategic Investment Plan is developed by the LPC with public feedback. Goals identify conceptual ideas that DRI Plan should address.

  • 4. Priority Projects

    Key projects are identified to advance the vision/goals and leverage additional investment. Priority Projects are organized by Goal to ensure that the DRI Plan addresses core objectives. Projects identified & vetted by the local committee & public

  • 5. DRI Final Plan

    DRI Strategic Investment Plan written by consultants with DRI Team & public input and submitted to the State. Projects included in the Strategic Investment Plan will be evaluated by state agencies for alignment with state and local goals; project readiness; catalytic effect; secondary benefits; and cost effectiveness.

  • 6. Implementation

    Projects from each community will be evaluated by the State & selected for funding. The Governor will make an announcement on funded projects. State staff will work with project sponsors to execute project agreements and manage DRI contracts. For more info, visit https://www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative

Local Planning Committee

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) accomplishes its goals through a unique state-local partnership that includes the Local Planning Committee (LPC), state agency staff, and a consultant team. The LPC is responsible for representing the interests and priorities of the community, while the state agency staff ensures that the process and deliverables are consistent with the goals, priorities, and requirements of the initiative.

The LPC is made up of local and regional leaders, stakeholders and community representatives. Each LPC is led by two co-chairs consisting of the local elected official (or his or her designee) and a member of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC). The full list of members is listed below, including the other community representatives that have been invited to participate by the Secretary of State

  • Supervisor Edmund Smyth, Town of Huntington, LPC Co-Chair

    Dave Kapell, Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LI REDC), LPC Co-Chair

    Peggy Boyd, Family Service League

    Chuck Brady, Huntington Manor Fire Department

    Chief William Connolly, Huntington CFAS

    Frank Cosentino, Huntington Station BID

    Grant Havasy, Blue & Gold Holdings

    Jose-Rodrigo Hernandez, Huntington Public Library

    Jim Kaden, TOH Economic Development Council

    Daniel Lloyd, Minority Milennials, Inc. and Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LI REDC)

    Nick Loscalzo, N&J Tech

    Martine McDonald, TRI Community and Youth Agency

    Pilar Montera, Housing Help

    Dr. John Murphy, South Huntington Union FSD

    Pastor Danny Rivera, Assembly of God

    Joel Salas, El Sueno Mexican Grill

    Vita Scaturro, Huntington Chamber of Commerce

    Werner Scott, Scott Automotive

    Ronald Wilson, Huntington Union FSD

Vision Statement and Goals

As part of the DRI application, communities must provide a brief statement of their vision for downtown revitalization. At the start of the planning process, the Local Planning Committee (LPC) will review the initial vision and make modifications if desired to best reflect the unique characteristics of the downtown. Goals and strategies will be established to help achieve the community’s vision for downtown revitalization. Goals should be detailed, attainable, and action-oriented with measurable strategies that will guide the implementation of the DRI vision.

Based on the downtown vision and goals, consultants will guide the LPC in development of creative and ambitious strategies and projects to direct future development and investment in the downtown to realize its vision and goals. Projects that are recommended for implementation using DRI funds, whether included in the community’s DRI application or identified by the LPC during the planning process.

  • Huntington Station will catalyze and re-energize its urban core and attract new opportunities as a vibrant, diverse, and walkable downtown. We will continue the transformation of our compact, transit-oriented, and historic community, while securing our future as a local and regional destination.

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The LPC will meet once a month from May 2023 through October 2023. All LPC meetings are open to the public, with time reserved at the end of each meeting for a public comments. Please check back prior to each meeting for location and time information.

Meetings