NY Forward Program Goals

  1. Create an active downtown with a strong sense of place.

  2. Attract new businesses that create a robust mix of shopping, entertainment, and service options for residents and visitors, and that provide job opportunities for a variety of skills and salaries.

  3. Enhance public spaces for arts and cultural events that serve the existing members of the community but also draw in visitors from around the region.

  4. Build a diverse population, with residents and workers supported by complementary varied housing and employment opportunities.

  5. Provide amenities that support and enhance downtown living and quality of life.

  6. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support investments that are more resilient to future climate change impacts.

  7. Grow the local property tax base.

NY Forward Process

The NY Forward program couples strategic planning with prompt project implementation. NY Forward communities are paired with a consultant team and a project lead from the Department of State (DOS), who guide them through a targeted community-based planning process geared towards developing a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). The SIP includes a list of transformative and catalytic projects, which are recommended to the State for funding using the NY Forward funds.

Through the NY Forward program, downtowns in small villages and hamlets as well as neighborhood scale commercial centers will receive planning and implementation support needed to attract more businesses, residents, and visitors, while also providing a higher quality of life for all residents.

Local Planning Committee (LPC) Formation

A Local Planning Committee (LPC) comprised of local and regional leaders, stakeholders, and community representatives intended to represent diverse interests is convened to oversee the planning process and development of the SIP. As the steering body of the process, the LPC meets regularly to brainstorm ideas, provide direction to the consultant team, review planning products, discuss potential projects, and prioritize actions. These meetings are open to the public.

Public Engagement

Throughout the planning process, the public is invited to proactively contribute ideas that guide the LPC for the development of the SIP. Notices of public workshops, local outreach activities, and other opportunities to provide input will be posted on this website and publicized through print, media, and online channels. Please check back regularly for updates.

Visions, Goals, and Revitalization Strategies

Based on community input, the LPC develops a guiding framework including a community vision, action-oriented goals to support the vision, and measurable strategies to guide project development and implementation. These coordinated actions, objectives, and planning approach are the guiding framework for the SIP.

Priority Projects

The LPC identifies key transformative projects to advance the community vision and goals. Priority projects are intended to transform the physical environment of the NY Forward area in ways that will benefit current residents and future generations. In some cases, they may also include non-capital projects that can lead to capital investment which in turn will revitalize the NY Forward area. All priority projects will be reviewed by the State prior to any selection or award.

Strategic Investment Plan (SIP)

The SIP includes the objectives and goals defined under the NY Forward Program. The plan is a compilation of the community's vision and goals for downtown, specific implementation strategies to achieve those goals, an assessment of downtown conditions, and profiles of transformative projects that could be implemented using NY Forward funding.

Implementation

Projects from each community are evaluated by the State, which after its due diligence, identifies those projects best suited for NY Forward funding. Announcements of the funded projects are made by the Governor. Once projects are announced, the State will contract with the entity responsible for implementing the project. All State procurement procedures must be followed, and NY Forward funding is provided on a reimbursable basis.

Local Planning Committee (LPC)

In each community selected to participate in the NYF program, a Local Planning Committee (LPC) comprised of local and regional leaders, stakeholders, and community representatives intended to represent diverse interests is convened to oversee the planning process and the development of the SIP. Over the course of the planning process, the LPC — with significant support from the State team and the consultant team — will work closely with the local community to:

  • Develop a clear and concise downtown profile and assessment to articulate the story of the downtown and identify key challenges and opportunities.

  • Review and refine the vision statement included in the NYF application.

  • Establish goals and strategies to achieve the community’s vision.

  • Identify, develop, and evaluate projects that could advance the community’s vision, goals, and strategies for revitalization.

  • Develop detailed project profiles for each project that the LPC recommends for NYF funding. The LPC will identify a final slate of projects in excess of the available NYF funding.

  • Undertake broad public engagement throughout the entire planning process to solicit input, shape the community’s vision for downtown, identify projects, and build support for plan implementation.

  • Joe Rand (Co-Chair), Mayor of Village of Nyack

    Al Samuels (Co-Chair), Rockland Business Association/REDC

    Cheryl Baun, Rockland County

    Bill Batson, Chamber of Commerce

    Elliott Forrest, ArtsRock Rockland

    Joe Garreffa, Scott & Joe's Culinary; Creative Arts Workshop

    Brianne Higgins, Maureen's Jazz Cellar

    Brooke Malloy, Phyllis Frank Pride Center of Rockland

    Marcella Mazzeo, Salonniere Coffee Bar

    Tracie McLee, Montefiore Nyack Hospital Foundation

    Jenna Nazario, Rockland County

    Mike Oates, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation

    Thomas Schneck, Visit Nyack

Community Vision, Goals, and Revitalization Strategies

Informed by the community’s NYF application and community input, the LPC will develop a vision statement with corresponding goals and revitalization strategies to guide decision-making about future development and investment in the NYF area. The vision statement is intended to be ambitious as well as illustrative of the community’s vision for the future, which will be advanced through the implementation of NYF projects.

  • Coming Soon

  • Coming Soon

Questions & Feedback

Get in touch!

For more information or to share your thoughts and ideas, use the form to the right, or send an email to:

NyackNYF@vhb.com