Long Island City Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Image Credit: Julienne-Schaer

Image Credit: LIC Partnership

Image Credit: MoMA PS1

Governor Hochul announces Long Island City DRI Projects

Governor's Press Release

Funded Projects

The 7 Long Island City DRI projects, totaling $9.7 million, include:

Redevelop the Metropolitan Building into a Creative Hub ($1,400,000): Implement interior fit outs on several floors of the now vacant historic Metropolitan Building, located at 44-01 11th Street, to create affordable workspace for artists and small businesses.
Construct the New Queens Public Library Branch ($1,583,617): Implement interior fit out of a 4,525 sq. ft. space on the second floor of a new residential building located at 22-42 Jackson Avenue, to re-establish the Queens Public Library from its former Court Square location.
Reconstruct the 46th Avenue Pedestrian Plaza ($2,500,000): Reconstruct the temporary pedestrian plaza, located at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and 46th Avenue, into a permanent open space with new plantings, furnishings, paving and artwork.
Enhance the 12th Street Pedestrian Plaza ($695,000): Upgrade the existing pedestrian space, located on 12th Street between 43rd Road and 44th Avenue, with new surface treatments, trees, plant beds, shade structures, bike racks and street furniture.

Construct the Underline Open Space at Dutch Kills ($2,425,000): Construct a playground and dog run to complement other planned amenities in the new public open space along the south side of Dutch Kills Street between Jackson Avenue and Sunnyside Yards.

Renovate and Connect SculptureCenter to the Underline Open Space ($600,000): Construct a new entryway plaza and ADA-accessible ramp to enhance visibility and navigate the grade change between the SculptureCenter and the adjacent Underline open space.

Greening and Cleaning LIC ($496,383): Improve streetscape throughout the DRI investment area by planting new trees, installing new tree pits, tree guards, rain gardens, planters, trash receptacles, container signage and dog bag dispensers, as well as upgrading existing tree pits.

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Long Island City will receive $10 million in funding as the New York City region winners of the seventh round of the DRI.

The Governor’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a New York State program that grants one community in each region $10 million dollars to invest in downtown economic development. After submitting a strong initial application, the Long Island City community will now work with the State to develop a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) that identifies priority projects that would benefit from DRI funding. The SIP will feature high-impact projects that are ready to be implemented and support Long Island City’s overall vision of a vibrant mixed-use community that showcases Long Island City’s public amenities, cultural institutions, and local population.

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
(DRI)

New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a cornerstone of the State's economic development program. The DRI transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. These compact, walkable downtowns are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieve the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

The DRI is led by the Department of State, in close partnership with Empire State Development, NYS Homes and Community Renewal and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Additional Resources

DRI Background Materials

DRI Application

DRI Map

DRI - 7 Guidebook

Press Announcement