New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg announced today that the City of Peekskill has received $1.75 million in state funding for renovations to the historic Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in downtown Peekskill. The upgrades will allow the theater to serve as a community cooling center for residents during extreme heat events.
“The Paramount Theater is a prized local landmark for the world-class entertainment it brings to the area. Upgrading the HVAC at the Paramount and turning it into a cooling center to meet new demands is another great way this institution can serve the community,” said Levenberg. “I am so pleased that the renovation plans for the theater will include this project, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the utility of the building. I am proud to have voted for the funding that will make this project possible, and applaud the City of Peekskill and Paramount Hudson Valley Arts for their work on this initiative.”
“These renovations to the historic Paramount Theater fulfill one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government: protecting the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Harckham. “As climate change increasingly affects our daily lives, we must strengthen and adapt existing infrastructure to meet today’s challenges. Investments in resiliency measures like these will help ensure that this iconic local venue remains safe, sustainable, and vibrant for years to come, while safeguarding the community it serves.”
The funding will be used to upgrade the theater’s HVAC system, creating an additional cooling center option for Peekskill residents seeking relief during the summer months. Currently, the City operates cooling stations at the Neighborhood Center Dining Room and the Field Library, both located at 4 Nelson Avenue. In addition, the nonprofit Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP) provides a cooling station at its Jan Peek Shelter near the waterfront at 200 North Water Street.
City Manager Matthew Alexander noted that demand for cooling stations has increased significantly as heatwaves grow more intense due to climate change and aging HVAC systems in some apartment complexes struggle to keep residents safe.
Adding the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater to cooling resources accessible to residents in downtown Peekskill will also create the City’s largest cooling center, helping meet rising demand and better protect vulnerable populations, including seniors, young children, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those without access to air conditioning.
“The City is sincerely grateful to receive the $1.7 million Cooling Center grant, which will allow the Paramount Theater to serve as an emergency cooling center,” said Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie. “As extreme heat events become more frequent, this funding helps us expand beyond the limitations of our current facilities and better protect our residents. The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater offers a centrally located, well-equipped space to strengthen our emergency preparedness efforts.”
The HVAC replacement is part of a broader renovation project at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, which is scheduled for completion this summer.
Funding for the project is part of $463 million released by Governor Hochul through the State’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, supporting essential infrastructure improvements across New York State.
