COHOES, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a total of 30 transformational projects for the Capital Region as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward.

A total of 11 projects were announced for the City of Cohoes, the Round 6 winner of a $10 million DRI award.

“We’re making transformational investments in downtown revitalization efforts across the state – tapping into what makes each community unique and opening doors of opportunity for residents and businesses,” Hochul said in the release. “By building a vibrant and robust environment for local residents, we are unlocking the potential for our communities to thrive while honoring the history and traditions that make them special.”

The city of Cohoes was named the Capital Region winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative in 2023, the release said. All 11 projects selected seek to continue the revitalization of the last decade in Cohoes by developing the unique cultural and historical amenities to become the Capital Region’s small city model for arts, culture and sustainable redevelopment: attracting new residents, businesses and visitors.

New investment combined with past investments will create a robust environment for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic downtown buildings and infill development that incorporates mixed-income residential opportunities.

The DRI investments are part of the Governor’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the economy and create more opportunities in the Capital Region, the release said. The DRI is led by the Department of State, which provides technical assistance as each participating community develops a Strategic Investment Plan identifying specific projects with a unique vision for the revitalization of the downtown area.

The specific projects to be funded through the DRI support several goals and strategies contained in the community’s Strategic Investment Plan, such as amplifying the city’s unique sense of place with a genuine and authentic experience that will be catalytic for future organic growth and will foster development that is inclusive while embracing its strong heritage and ethnic diversity.

Cohoes joins the communities of Glens Falls, Hudson, Albany, Schenectady, Tannersville, Troy and Lake George, which were the Capital Region’s winners in the first seven DRI rounds. The $9.7 million state investment in these projects through the DRI will leverage additional public and private investments as the revitalization process proceeds and builds momentum.

The 11 City of Cohoes DRI projects include:

Transform Historic Cohoes Music Hall into a Carbon Neutral Building: $950,000

Transform the Cohoes Music Hall into a carbon-neutral building by upgrading HVAC and implementing geothermal and energy-efficient measures to enable a shift to clean energy, consequently enhancing audience comfort, performer experience and overall functionality.

Rehabilitate the Historic Bank Building to Create a New Library: $2,486,000

Revitalize the historic bank building into a new community library through adaptive reuse to include an ADA entrance, roofing upgrades, HVAC improvements and a revamped public plaza allowing for reading nooks and enhanced landscaping.

Build a Mixed-Use 18-unit Residential Structure: $2,250,000

Build a new mixed-use building at 60 Remsen, adding residential density and commercial activity to the Downtown core.

Expand the Cohoes Hotel by Building 24-Residential Units: $1,500,000

Build a three-story extension to the Cohoes Hotel, connecting the new building to the rear of the renovation and adding density to the downtown core. The building includes a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, with a range of residential amenities.

Renovate Restaurant/Bar Space and Adjacent Outdoor Lot: $247,000

Renovate the commercial ground floor of a three-story mixed-use building into a bar and restaurant with an outdoor patio, restore the historic façade at 38 and 40 Oneida St – 59 and 61 Canvass St and rehabilitate the adjacent parking lot with new surfacing, paths, seating, lighting and planting.

Renovate the Historic Carter Building into Apartments and Commercial Spaces: $750,000

Renovate the historic Carter Building at 57 Remsen Street into multiple commercial spaces and residential units with private amenities. Renovations include asbestos abatement, new HVAC, facade and roof repairs and interior refurbishments.

Renovate Multiple Commercial Spaces and Residential Units: $448,000

Renovate a three-story, vacant mixed-use building on Remsen Street, to allow for 7-8 new residential units and 2-5 commercial storefronts. Renovating the interiors and rehabilitating the MEP with some cosmetic touch-ups will lead to housing and commercial opportunity within the business center.

Renovate Three Units within a Key Historic Mixed-Use Building: $244,000

Renovate two upper floors above the Smith’s within the three-story mixed-use building at 171 Remsen Street. Rehabilitating the three currently gutted units aims to increase housing stock along Cohoes’s commercial corridor.

Expand on Public Arts Through the Creation of Murals and Sculptures in the Downtown Core: $100,000

Procuring and creating a series of murals and fabricating and installing a unique collection of mastodon sculptures throughout the Downtown — both beautifying the built environment and attracting foot traffic.

Create City-wide Wayfinding and Branding: $125,000

Create a wayfinding and branding strategy for downtown Cohoes that is graphically and materially consistent by designing and installing modifiable signage and immersive music elements at key locations.

Establish a Cohoes Small Projects Fund: $600,000

Implement a small project fund to offer reimbursement-based awards for small business support, aesthetic enhancements and façade improvements. The City’s Office of Community and Economic Development will manage and oversee the fund, establishing an evaluation criterion that also requires a 50% private sponsor match.

“Over the past year, our community worked together to identify and select projects to recommend to the governor for funding through the highly competitive $10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative,” Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler said in the release. “Today’s announcement marks the next major step in transforming our downtown and are excited to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible.”