ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – After years of unsuccessful applications, Ithaca is getting a $10 million development grant.
On April 23, Governor Kathy Hochul and Ithaca city officials announced that Ithaca is the Southern Tier winner of New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award.
The 2025 application focused on revitalizing the Martin Luther King Jr. Street/West State Street corridor, while also fortifying Downtown Ithaca and The Commons. The proposal, which was shaped by frequent public engagement, included investments in housing creation, historic preservation, cultural assets, infrastructure improvements, and locally driven economic development projects. It’s expected to stir up more money in private investment.
Since I was first elected, I have fought tirelessly to promote economic and community development. This $10 million investment in the West Martin Luther King Street corridor will create hundreds of new homes, catalyze new businesses, and attract hundreds of millions in private investment to truly transform Ithaca. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your leadership, commitment, and support at this critical moment and thank you to my colleagues on the Regional Economic Development Council for embracing our vision of Ithaca’s future. – Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo
The City of Ithaca’s DRI projects will focus on the West State Street corridor, The Commons, and surrounding areas.
Next, some of the grant money will be set aside to work with the state and local stakeholders to develop a Strategic Investment Plan for project selection, design, and implementation. The public will have opportunities to provide input in the selection process, and the city will share more information as those dates approach.
Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo shakes hands with NYS Secretary of State Walter Mosley on April 23, 2026, after Ithaca was named the Southern Tier winner of the DRI Award. Credit: provided
The City of Ithaca is the heart of Tompkins County, drawing visitors from across the region, state and beyond to enjoy its waterfalls and natural beauty, lively annual festivals, beloved farmer’s market, and vibrant downtown. Today’s announcement of a $10 million investment is a huge success for our community, which will help the City of Ithaca spur economic growth by revitalizing a historic corridor and enhancing connectivity between The Commons and downtown. This investment will transform underutilized spaces into opportunities by creating housing, supporting small businesses, and increasing accessibility through walkable neighborhoods. – State Senator Lea Webb
It can take years for all of the projects to be completed, but the city expects contracting and implementation to begin in late 2027.
Learn more and keep track of future progress here.
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