Today at noon, Governor Hochul’s officed released the list of Capital Region awardees through the Village of Athens’ NY Forward grant. Congratulations to all the winning project sponsors and to all of us who call the village home!
“Governor Kathy Hochul today announced awards for a total of 27 transformational projects for the Capital Region as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward. Ten projects were announced for Catskill, the Round 8 winner of a $10 million DRI award; 7 projects were announced for Athens, a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award; and 10 projects were announced for Greenwich, also a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.
The Village of Athens
Athens is a quintessentially charming village with a unique laid-back vibe that sits on the west bank of the Hudson River. It is connected to world class art, culture, recreation and choice of housing that attracts visitors, boaters and artists. The Village has already worked to make downtown more walkable, welcoming, resilient and climate adaptive – making it primed for the NY Forward program. The community’s vision is to remain a welcoming village that celebrates family and community.
The 7 Athens NY Forward projects, totaling $4.5 million, include:
· Develop a Public Garden and Restaurant along the Hudson River ($550,000): Transform a long-vacant riverfront property into a vibrant destination anchored by a public garden and a flood-resilient restaurant and bar, fostering a dynamic space for cultural, ecological, and community engagement along the Hudson River.
· Create a Hudson River Access Hub in Riverfront Park ($870,000): Transform Riverfront Park into a comprehensive “river access hub” featuring expanded docking for additional boats, relocated ADA-compliant kayak launch with storage, stamped concrete walkways, and integrated ferry/water taxi facilities to centralize waterfront access and boost downtown economic activity.
· Expand the Capacity and Accessibility of the Athens Cultural Center ($722,000): Renovate a historic 1830s building into a fully accessible three-story community arts facility, with infrastructure upgrades including elevator installation, structural reinforcement, complete second and third floor buildouts, roof replacement, and compliance with accessibility and life safety codes.
· Renovate the Brooks Opera House to Accommodate a Restaurant, Event Venue, and Apartments ($870,000): Renovate the Brooks Opera House to restore its original cultural function with a first-floor restaurant/brewery, second-floor event venue, and new third-floor apartments, serving as a community gathering place.
· Create a Small Projects Fund ($300,000): Promote investment in exterior facades and interior upgrades through the availability of small-scale grants to improve the functionality and aesthetics of downtown buildings and businesses.
· Redevelop the Trinity Church Building into a Wedding and Events Venue ($491,000): Restore the Trinity Church Building including exterior painting and facade work, interior repairs, electrical system upgrades to code, HVAC and plumbing modernization, and accessibility improvements to preserve its historic character while transforming into an events venue focused on small weddings.
· Improve the Waterfront Intersection at N Water St. and 2nd St. ($697,000): Transform an underutilized intersection in the heart of the waterfront district into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly hub that connects the park, business district, and waterfront. Streetscape improvements will enhance access, safety, and community use while supporting local events and economic activity.
Village of Athens Mayor Amy Serrago said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled about the projects selected for funding through our NY Forward award. So many great sponsors submitted for inclusion in our strategic investment plan. The final slate will be truly transformative to the village and help to further the growth we’ve already seen in recent years. I’m so grateful that the small projects fund was awarded. This is something I pushed for, and it will make a huge impact on our downtown. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Governor Hochul, NYS Department of State and everyone in our community who worked so hard to make this moment a reality. Now let’s get to work!”
You can read the entire press release here.