BFJ Planning has been retained by the Department of State to lead a multidisciplinary team in developing Strategic Investment Plans for the downtown areas of five communities in the State’s Regional Economic Development Councils. The Plans are part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which provides planning and financial support to help transform selected communities ripe for development. As part of the initiative, each community is awarded $10 million to fund projects that will best spur and leverage growth. The Plans include a vision as established by the community and an implementation strategy, which details potential projects with information about funding, project sponsors, and timeframe for implementation. In each community, BFJ worked closely with Local Planning Committees comprised of local residents, business leaders, and municipal officials. The community-based planning process included extensive meetings with the local committee, multiple public workshops with a diversity of stakeholders, and frequent coordination with governmental agencies. 

To date, BFJ has completed seven DRI Plans over the course of five rounds. These DRI communities BFJ worked with are listed below:

• Tannersville (Round 5)

• Endicott (Round 5)

• Peekskill (Round 4)

• Owego (Round 3)

• Watkins Glen (Round 2)

• Glens Falls (Round 1)

• Middletown (Round 1)