LITTLE FALLS — Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced eight transformational projects in the City of Little Falls as part of a state $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award.

The awards, Hochul said, will leverage the community’s walkability, and rich historic, cultural and natural resources. “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is all about making our New York communities even better places to live, work and play,” Hochul said. “Little Falls residents have seen the potential of their community as the Gateway to the Adirondacks, and I have been struck by their passion for taking it to the next level. I want to thank every person who has made today’s announcement possible as we turn the page and build a brighter future for this community.”

“Beyond grateful to Governor Hochul and Secretary of State Rodriguez. As the second smallest city in the state we appreciate Governor Hochul always looking out for the smaller communities,” said Little Falls Mayor Mark Blask.”We look forward to improving the downtown district and making Little Falls an even more vibrant area to live and visit.”

The Little Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative award will help to create a more unified downtown to improve walkability and bikeability for residents and to catalyze additional investment along Main Street and within Canal Place, officials said, adding the DRI will help transform the downtown experience by allowing a more natural flow for vehicular traffic, establishing a small business assistance fund, and replacing the Main Street Canopy to make walking, shopping, and dining downtown more enjoyable year-round.

The specific projects to be funded through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative include:

• Creating Affordable Senior Housing, $2.5 million. Renovation of the M&T building will create senior housing, amenities for the residents, and commercial space, while maintaining the existing bank.
• Enhancing Connectivity of Seeley Street, $1.8 million. Transform Seeley Street into a bicycle and pedestrian waterfront walkway by repaving the existing roadway and installing lighting and guide rails. This will connect Canal Place to Moss Island and the historic Lock 17.
• Modernizing and Replacing the Iconic Main Street Canopy, $1.6 million. Redesign and modernize the iconic Main Street Canopy while retaining and preserving its historic character. Creating continuity of the canopy will benefit all businesses and visitors.
• Improving Main Street Streetscape, $1.6 million. Improve the streetscape along the length of Main Street by including a separated two-way bike lane from Albany to Ann Street, green infrastructure between Ann and School Street, and repaving of the entire corridor.
• Renovating Vacant Facility and Expand Public Access to Waterfront, $640,000. Renovating a former hydroelectric facility into a vibrant space with offices for STEAM anchor tenants, a multipurpose community space, and a hub for film and movie production.
• Establishing a Downtown Little Falls Fund to Support Small Business Development, $600,000. Support smaller scale projects through the Downtown Little Falls Grant Fund such as façade improvements, signage, lighting, murals, and energy efficiency upgrades.
• Enhancing Community Access and Use of the Little Falls Library, $500,000. Increase accessibility of the Little Falls library with a new elevator shaft and elevator and transform its underutilized third floor into community spaces for counseling, GED prep, tutoring.
• Increasing High-Quality Childcare and Community Services, $390,000. Expand the Little Falls Youth & Family Center at its 45 Furnace Street location to increase the capacity of its existing childcare facility and redevelop the 524 E. Main Street location to accommodate an emergency childcare facility.

“The eight key projects that the City of Little Falls will undertake as part of their $10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Award is positive news not only for the City of Little Falls and its residents, but the entire Mohawk Valley region,” said Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-101, New Hartford.

“The continued revitalization of Little Falls is critical to the economic success of the area. Little Falls has much to offer with unlimited potential to capitalize on its natural waterfront resources and rich cultural heritage,” he added. “The key projects to be completed will unify downtown, spur additional investments business and otherwise on Main Street and Canal Place, as well as improve the quality of life in the city. I commend the City for its continued efforts to revitalize, strengthen and develop a vibrant sustainable downtown community through use of the DRI Award. The city’s exemplary projects are a testament of how DRI Awards can benefit communities and transform neighborhoods.”