Dear Residents,
As we wrap up 2024, I wanted to share a few updates on what’s happening at City Hall. Please review the following and if you have any questions, please contact me via email at malexander@cityofpeekskillny.gov. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!
Matthew C. Alexander, Peekskill City Manager
Revitalization Update:
The Fleischmann Pier and Charles Point projects were underway in 2024. The enhancements for Fleischmann Pier include a new pier at almost 500 feet in length that can accommodate large vessels, two floating docks for smaller boats, and an ADA kayak launch. Additional enhancements for Fleischmann Pier include benches and viewing devices to maximize the viewing experience. (Include Fleischmann Pier images from email)
The enhancements for Charles Point Park include an expanded parking lot, concession area, bus drop-off, the installation of a gazebo and trellis, and the installation of a restroom to be added at a later day. The completion of these projects will improve the city’s waterfront infrastructure, revitalize the waterfront district, encourage tourism, and provide spaces that can be used for programming throughout the year.
The renovation of Pugsley Park was completed in 2024, which brought new plazas and seating areas to support downtown events and passive enjoyment, additional pedestrian scaled lighting, planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers, infrastructure for power hook-ups and watering, concrete work, a stage, and public art installations. (Include Pugsley Park images from email)
Throughout the year, new artwork was installed throughout the city as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. These installations include 
“Wind Farm” by Scott Goss Studio on Central Avenue, the Harriet Tubman mural on 13 South Division Street, artwork by Robert Barthelmes at the Police Department headquarters, artwork by Leonardo Moleiro on Esther Street, artwork by Misha Tyutyunik on Central Avenue, “Illuminate!” by David Farquharson on Central Avenue, a mural by Steve Erenberg’s on Esther Street, and “Open Doors” by Sandra Muss on Railroad Avenue.
Safety Update:
To address the ongoing parking in our city, an additional parking enforcement officer was hired in 2024.
The 2025 budget also has seven vacant officer positions to be funded, two of which have been filled. Two more will be hired in early 2025 and two will be hired for the academy. These positions will allow for the Police Department to serve at its full capacity while effectively continuing to serve our community and address safety concerns.
The Police Department has scored significant wins in reducing crime in the City. Most notably, within the past month, the City in conjunction with County, State and Federal partners has busted a major drug ring which was an ongoing threat to City residents. This is one of many efforts to improve the quality of life in the City of Peekskill. Our department has made it known that there is more cleaning up to do.
Economic Development Update:
The City of Peekskill was awarded $3.4 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the New York State Empire State Development as well as support from Westchester County to complete the renovation for the Commercial Kitchen Incubator at the former Centennial Firehouse located on Washington Street.
The 4,500-square-foot commercial kitchen portion of the building will house five fully equipped and licensed commercial kitchens, complete with stations for prep, storage, packaging, shipping and receiving, along with office space.
In addition to the garage, the property has a parking area that fits 40 cars, providing ample space for pickups and drop-offs of large orders and inventory, in addition to planned food truck cleaning and washing facilities. The Commercial Kitchen Incubator will also include entrepreneurship programming and workforce skills development, emphasizing food-business-oriented training and work-and-learn training.
The City’s Planning & Economic Development Department has actively worked on strategies to connect its waterfront and multimodal transportation to downtown Peekskill through its Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Earlier this Fall, the City launched boat service from Fleischmann Pier and connected boaters fresh off its boat to downtown Peekskill. It has been studying the results of the hundreds of people who were brought into downtown to shop, eat and enjoy Peekskill offerings. It will continue to work on ways to promote the continued foot traffic coming into downtown.
Other efforts to support downtown are a new competitive program to help individual businesses with $97,000 in assistance. This is a continuation of the Downtown Revitalization Fund work that was begun in 2023. The Building Department is working with the Planning Department on a more business friendly permit process as well. We are very aware of the inadequacy of our parking system and have been working with a new company to improve our downtown parking payment app experience. This will be rolled out in 2025.
New Quality of Life Resource App:
SeeClickFix was launched in 2024 for our residents to report nonfunctioning traffic signs, broken street lights, potholes, or issues with our sidewalks/streets. This has been a great success and will be renewed in 2025.
Having this service allows for our DPW to address issues as they come in, helping to improve quality of life for all in the city. To report any issues, please visit https://www.cityofpeekskillny.gov/610/Report-a-Concern.
Budget:
The City of Peekskill 2025 budget has a tax rate increase of 3.5%, resulting in an increase of $8.38/month for an average value of a home assessed at $9,684. In 2025, the city is looking forward to these projects advancing further:
○ Kiley Center expansion in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club for our children
○ Paramount Theater building improvements expected for 2025 construction for our arts lovers and tourism
○ Additional small business grant funds for 2025 work to enhance economic development
○ Additional public art installations throughout downtown for our art lovers and tourism
○ Gazebo intersection redesign into downtown civic hub for public safety
○ Bike and Pedestrian connections to the waterfront for our quality of life
○ Marketing, branding, and wayfinding strategy for tourism
○ Dredging for Fleischmann Pier for revitalization and tourism
○ Peekskill Arts Center project for our children and seniors
○ CDBG funds for major improvements in the water system, replacing aging hydrants, valves, and pipes, and replacing an obsolete water storage tank for our quality of life
