MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
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I am pleased to invite you to attend the Village of Ossining’s first Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee (LPC) Work Session scheduled on Thursday, February 17th, from noon to 2 PM. |
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As a reminder, in December 2021, the Village of Ossining was awarded a $10 million grant by Governor Kathy Hochul through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) program. The DRI program 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. Based on the State’s requirements, $300,000 of these funds will be used to develop a working plan: A Downtown Strategic Investment Plan. The remaining $9.7 million will be used to help kick start or implement key agreed-upon projects that advance our community’s revitalization and, we hope, leverage additional private and public investments.
The LPC is comprised of local community members and professionals representing a variety of interests. Their work will result in the creation of a plan that will improve the physical, social, environmental, and economic climate of Ossining. The LPC is supported by a team of experts, including local elected officials, Village staff, community members, informed participants, representatives from the Departments of State and Homes and Community Renewal, Empire State Development, NYSERDA, and outside consulting firms, who will provide technical support to complete the Strategic Investment Plan. LPC members will meet to brainstorm ideas, provide direction to consultants, review planning products, and prioritize actions and projects.
The following are the members of our Local Planning Committee (LPC):
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- Mayor Rika Levin - Co-Chair, Village of Ossining Mayor
- Dr. Marsha Gordon - Co-Chair, Business Council of Westchester
- Bill Balter - Wilder Balter Associates
- Erika Boetsch - dArlhac Design and Milestone Decal Art
- Thomas Carey - Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body
- Marlene Cheatham - Interfaith Council for Action Housing Network
- Peter Chernoff - The Promenade Group, LLC
- Lindsay Farrell - Open Door Family Medical Centers
- Brent Glass - Sing Sing Prison Museum
- Kim Jacobs - Community Capital New York, Retired
- Adam Markovics - Village of Ossining Historic Preservation Commission
- Elizabeth Martinez - Karma Lounge and Karma Market
- Seth Roye - Seth P. Roye Architect PC
- Jeff Shumaker - Urbanscape
- Joyce Sharrock Cole - Village of Ossining Historian
- Melita Silva - Melita’s Home Furnishings
- Dana White - Village of Ossining Trustee
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This past Friday, Westchester County Executive George Latimer presented a proclamation to the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp. (OVAC) for their efforts in helping to keep the community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accompanying the County Executive were local representatives: Deputy Mayor Quezada, Assemblywoman Galef, Senator Reichlin-Melnick, Supervisor Levenberg, Councilwoman Feldman, and former Mayor Victoria Gearity. OVAC is certified by the State Department of Health to administer vaccines and testing to the community in public settings, including their facilities and our schools. They also administered inoculations and tests to homebound residents. To date, the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp. has administered more than 10,000 vaccines and more than 8,000 tests, most of them free to the public.
Please join me in thanking OVAC’s Chief Nick Franzoso and his entire team for their tireless devotion and professionalism to the Ossining Community now and always.
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The Town of Ossining is in the process of conducting the annual valuation update within the Town. In preparation for the 2022 Assessment Roll, they are updating the properties inventory by processing building permits, sales, etc. Tyler Technologies has been hired to assist with this project.
Please be aware that Data Collectors/Appraisers will visit and evaluate properties in Town as part of this process. They will not be conducting interior inspections, only exterior measurements if necessary. Please click here to view the Letter of Introduction and Data Collectors Car Information.
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This week’s Legislative Meeting will take place on Wednesday, 2/16, at 7:30PM. This meeting will be held via Zoom. Some items of note:
- The Village Board will be voting on a resolution awarding the remediation of 200 Main Street to PAR Environmental, our lowest bidder for just shy of $300K, keeping us well within the budget for this work and moving this project forward.
- The Board will vote for a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law #2 of 2022 (linked in the agenda), which will change the start date of sidewalk cafes (parklets) from May 1 to April 1. It is our intention to do what we can to support local businesses.
Under New Business, we have added an introductory conversation about the creation of an “In Lieu Fund” for parking in the Downtown, with the expectation of a more in-depth discussion at the 2/23 Work Session. This is simply to gather some preliminary thoughts on the concept.
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Members of the public can view the meeting via computer or mobile app:
Webinar ID: 838 5602 0234
Members of the public can listen to the meeting by dialing in via phone: +1 929 205 6099
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For those of you who missed our presentation about our wonderful Youth Bureau, the video and further information is available on the Village's website so that you too can be part of the conversation. Feel free to direct your questions to Michael Garcia, MSW @ mgarcia@villageofossining.org.
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Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org
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