Sleepy Hollow Grant For Beekman Avenue Revitalization

Mayor Philip E. Zegarelli announced that the Village of Sleepy Hollow has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation to support revitalization of eastern Beekman Avenue, between Lawrence Avenue and Cortlandt Street.

$175,000 of the grant will be used to help underwrite façade renovation and exterior building improvement projects to upgrade the overall appearance of the area. The remaining $25,000 of the grant is for streetscape improvements, including replacement streetlights, sidewalk benches, planters and banners.

The program, dubbed "Sleepy Hollow Main Street," will be administered by the newly incorporated Sleepy Hollow Downtown Revitalization Corporation (SHDRC), a not-for-profit organization whose principal mission is to facilitate the rehabilitation, renovation and improvement of the downtown area. The initial Board of Directors of the SHDRC is comprised of Village Trustees Andrew Murray and Sandra Morales, and local businessmen/property owners, Antonio Rodrigues, John Hughes and Samuel Vieira, Jr.

Initially, a façade renovation design standards book will be developed in cooperation with property and business owners. The planned improvements will be intended to preserve Sleepy Hollow’s historic architectural heritage and to create a streetscape more inviting to consumers and visitors. Property owners may then apply to the SHDRC for funding assistance for façade renovations. Successful applicants will receive grant monies for 50% of the cost of their façade improvement projects, up to a maximum of $10,000 per building. In addition, The Community Preservation Corporation, a partner in the Sleepy Hollow Main Street program, will offer property owners low-interest loans to help finance their share of the work.

"This program is the start of a long-term commitment to upgrade and revitalize our downtown," Mr. Zegarelli said today. "With the Lighthouse Landing project in its final stages before approval, we are focusing on the needs of the downtown area to ensure that the redevelopment of the waterfront and the revitalization of the Beekman Avenue corridor occur simultaneously. Other inner village initiatives, including a Senior Center on Elm Street, a 65-unit senior affordable housing project on Valley Street and streetscape improvements to western Beekman Avenue are also part of the Village’s comprehensive plan."

Property owners interested in participating in the Sleepy Hollow Main Street program should contact Fiona Hodgson at (914) 366-5125.

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