The City of Troy has engaged a team led by River Street Planning & Development to review, rewrite and update Troy's zoning/land management code. The update will involve assessing the City's overall economic health, existing built form and function, and natural environment. Streamlined and straightforward regulations will be developed to express local vision and goals and stimulate high-quality investment. Troy's new code will be streamlined, cohesive, equitable, and easier to understand and administer.
Please check back as the project moves forward for links to project documents and materials.
Additional links to project documents, field studies, meeting notes, and other materials will be posted as the zoning update gets underway.
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About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)Ā Ā
New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a cornerstone of the State's economic development program. The DRI transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job
creation, and economic and housing diversity. These compact, walkable downtowns are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.
As part of DRI Round 8, each of the State's 10 regional economic development regions are being awarded $10 million, for a total State commitment of $100 million in funding and investments. āThe DRI is led by the New York State Department of State (DOS), in close partnership with Empire State Development (ESD), New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The DRI Planning Process in Catskill
Governor Kathy Hochul announced in March 2025 that the Village of Catskill will receive $10 million in funding as the Capital Region winner of the eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The DRI program employs an innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation. Communities are paired with a consultant team and a project manager from the DOS who guide them through a targeted, community-based planning process focused on the development of a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP).
CATSKILL DRI AREA
The SIP builds on Catskill's DRI application and will identify a suite of transformative projects and a roadmap to help the community achieve its vision for downtown revitalization. The application focused on the central corridor of the Downtown Creek District (see DRI Area Map), emphasizing the creek as a unique asset for recreation and economic activity. It built on extensive community engagement from 2022-2024, including input ranging from children at summer camp to seniors, longtime Catskill residents to new arrivals, and established local business owners to new entrepreneurs just setting up in the community. Proposed projects addressed downtown needs for improved and expanded housing options, mixed-use retail, and Village amenities that serve residents and visitors along Main and West Main Streets. Capital improvements and infrastructure projects focused on creating better community connections and accessibility through new recreational facilities, community services, public infrastructure, workforce housing, wayfinding and a small projects fund.
In the 2025 DRI program, all community members will have the opportunity through an Open Call for Projects to sponsor project proposals that align with the DRI program goals and to provide feedback on the proposed projects. The DRI Planning Process will involve the following elements:
1. Form Local Planning Committee (LPC)
An LPC formed of local and regional community leaders appointed by Governor Hochul will lead the DRI process. The LPC is co-chaired by Village of Catskill Board Trustee Natasha Law and Joe Wildermuth of the Capital Region Economic Development Council (CREDC). The first LPC meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13th. Please check the Events page for additional details.
2. Community Engagement
The Catskill community will be invited to provide input on the Catskill Downton Profile, community vision and goals for downtown, challenges and opportunities, proposed projects, and plan implementation. Two public workshops will be held to gather input, as well as ongoing LPC meetings, stakeholder meetings, and multiple community surveys. Please check the Events page and Village social media for updates, or sign up for the Catskill DRI mailing list for event notices.
3. Establish DRI Goals, Vision & Strategy
The LPC will work closely with the community to identify key challenges and opportunities that will inform development of the Catskill downtown revitalization vision, as well as the goals and strategies to achieve this vision.
4. Priority Projects: Open Call & Project Refinement
An Open Call for Projects will be held from mid-June to mid-August 2025. Projects must be located within the Catskill DRI Area. The LPC will identify, develop and evaluate projects that could advance the community's vision. All community members will have the opportunity to sponsor project proposals that align with DRI program goals and community priorities identified as part of the planning process, including both projects highlighted in the application as well as new ones. Projects will be reviewed and refined at the second public workshop. Detailed project profiles will be developed for each project that the LPC recommends for DRI funding.
5. Final DRI Strategic Investment Plan
The Consultant Team with DRI Team and public input will compile the Strategic Investment Plan to submit to the State. A multi-agency State team will review each project recommended by the LPC for DRI funding. A subset of the projects submitted will be awarded funding.
6. Implementation
Following completion of the planning process and selection of projects, the awarded projects will enter into contract with State agencies and are expected to break ground within two years of award. State staff will work with project sponsors to help manage the process.
Catskill Local Planning Committee
LPC Role
A Local Planning Committee formed of local and regional community leaders appointed by Governor Hochul will lead the DRI process. The LPC, co-chaired by Natasha Law of the Village Board and Joe Wildermuth of the Capital Region Economic Development Council (CREDC), will recommend a slate of capital projects that increase economic opportunity and quality of life in downtown Catskill for State review and ultimate funding.* The LPC will meet every 1-2 months through October 2025, with meetings open to the public. Time for public comment is included at the end of each meeting. Please check the Events page for LPC meeting dates and details and Documents for LPC meeting presentations, summary and audio recordings.
LPC Members
Natasha Law, Board President, Village of Catskill (LPC Co-Chair)
Joe Wildermuth, CREDC Co-chair, REDC (LPC Co-Chair)
Jared A. Giordiano, Business Manager, RC Lacy
Kai Hillman, Program Director, MH Association
Nicholas Weist, Exec. Director, Shandaken Projects
Rachel Puckett Fischer, Director of Community/Employee Relations and Planning, MH Fiber
Thomas Boomhower, Economic Dev Specialist, Greene County Economic Development
Liam Singer, Business Owner, Village of Catskill
Patti Dushane, Exec. Director, Matthew 25 Food Pantry
Jennifer Greim, Director of Advancement & External Affairs, Thomas Cole House
Junait Shah, Director of Innovation/Technology, Coxsackie Athens School District
Elliott Matos, Director of Operations, HCHC
Bertram Downes, Professional Peer Advocate, MHA
Gilbert Bagnell, Library Trustee, Catskill Public Library
Stella Yoon, Director, Greene County Council of the Arts
Henry Haye, Resident, Village of Catskill
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*LPC members will be obligated to recuse themselves from providing input on any project where they have a connection to ensure there are no conflicts of interest in the process.