City of Little Falls
Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)
01
Rethink
02
Rebuild
Reconnect
About
What is the DRI?
Now in its fifth year, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a New York State program designed to foster the transformation of urban centers with significant potential for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity, and opportunity. Ten communities are nominated annually by the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) based on a competitive application process. Each community receives $10 million (or $20 million if applied for in the 5th round) to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community’s vision for revitalization.
Government Investment
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a comprehensive approach to boosting local economies by transforming communities into vibrant neighborhoods where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise a family. Government leaders recognize that focusing investment in urban centers is also fiscally responsible. Compact development lowers the cost of delivering essential government services (police, fire, emergency medical) and reduces demand for costly new infrastructure, making local government budgets more efficient and reducing the burden on taxpayers.
Private Investment
Business and development leaders recognize that downtown communities that offer a high quality-of-life and a critical mass of diverse public amenities and activities can serve as catalysts for increased and sustainable local economic development. Investments that re-energize urban cores attract a diverse population of new residents and visitors of varying ages, incomes, and interests, which strengthens the customer base for local businesses and provides the reliable workforce needed to attract and retain employers and grow the regional economy.
Stats
By the Numbers
Little Falls is a city that was born of water and raised with multiculturalism and diversity as its much-celebrated identity. Preserving these proud traditions can be seen throughout the city in its people, foods, and languages that continue to be passed on from one generation to the next.
Median Age
Population
Acres
Zip Code
Infrastructure:
DRI Proposed Projects:
Pedestrian Overpass – Connecting Downtown
Main Street Canopy & Streetscape
Additional Downtown Waterfront Parking
Two-way Traffic Conversion: Albany & Main
1918 City Hall Renovations: Phase I
Micro-Mobility-Inclusive Community Initiative
City-Wide Fiber/WiFi
City Dog Park
Two Public Restrooms – Canal Place/Main St
Pedestrian & Bike Connectivity Loop
Seely St Promenade
Public/Private
DRI Proposed Projects:
Travelodge Expansion
Little Falls Youth & Family Center – Inclusion & Diversity
Little Falls Youth & Family Center – Senior Community Center
Main Street Enhancement Fund
Historic District Housing Fund
Event Hall Upgrade: 1914 Masonic Lodge
Increase High-Quality Child Care Capacity
Arts & Culture
DRI Proposed Projects:
Sterzinar Park Improvements – Riverwalk
Public Art & Complete Streets Wayfinding
Event Hall Upgrade: 1914 Masonic Lodge
Vincent Mfg. Adaptive Reuse Chocolate Factory & Cafe &
2nd & 3rd Floor Artists Space
Why Little Falls?
We come from big cities – Miami and Houston. They’re not ideal for families – a lot of people, a lot of crime. We wanted to give our son a more wholesome environment where he could just be a kid. There’s very little traffic here, and believe it or not, traffic is a huge stress factor. It’s just a very different lifestyle. People don’t understand that. They’re so concerned with moving from a big city to a little town because they think there might be nothing to do. We have more to do here than we did in Houston. And that’s saying a lot. But we find ourselves more fulfilled here and that we have better friendships and richer relationships.
After living in Manhattan for the last nine years, I returned to Little Falls with my daughter so that she could have a stress-free childhood full of opportunities similar to the one I had. So many of my friends either stayed after high school or returned after experiencing other cities in order to create an idyllic life here. The schools here are fantastic, and there are plenty of activities and events.
There is also a true sense of community that I haven’t found anywhere else. Little Falls and the surrounding areas have so much to offer, and I can’t wait to experience it all again through my daughter’s eyes.
Little Falls is a wonderful community, looking at real property over the last couple of years. We’ve really ticked up with the events and festivals, Garlic and Cheese Festivals just to mention two. It’s really created a true sense of community and people have really come together, understanding that it creates a place where people want to come and live. Now we have this great problem where everyone wants to move here and nobody wants to move out. We have a wonderful mixture of prosperity, new businesses coming into town, and just that close knit feel with a small town community that’s starting to show fantastic growth.
Our Office
590 Garden Street
Little Falls NY 13365
Contact Us
(315) 508-5310
info@littlefallsdri.com
Office Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat-Sun: Closed