Port Chester, NY – Assemblyman Steve Otis (D- Rye) and State Senator Shelley Mayer (D-Westchester) announce today that the Village of Port Chester was awarded a $676,048 Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), to increase walkability and pedestrian safety along Main Street by upgrading sidewalks, intersections, crosswalks, and implementing other traffic control measures. This advances Port Chester’s innovative downtown streetscape and waterfront plan that would redesign the Village’s Main Street to connect its downtown to a new waterfront promenade. The project will also include new public green spaces, landmark plazas, street furniture, planters and lighting.

Assemblyman Otis said, “The momentum Port Chester has achieved for attracting new businesses continues with this key state grant to upgrade the pedestrian and shopper experience downtown. Congratulations to Mayor Falanka and the village board for these efforts. Governor Cuomo and a number of state agencies have been very supportive of Port Chester’s important infrastructure projects.”

Senator Mayer said, “I am glad to support the Village of Port Chester in its efforts to secure this grant for the Downtown Walkability Project. Port Chester is a gem of the Sound Shore communities with a great deal of potential for further economic development. The Downtown Walkability Project will support local economic activity and the many small businesses that line Main Street. I commend Mayor Falanka on his efforts to secure additional state funds to support Village projects and protect local property taxpayers.”

Mayor Fritz Falanka said “We once again thank the State, especially Governor Cuomo, Assemblyman Otis and Senator Mayer, for investing in the future of Port Chester. We’re on the verge of a re-birth, with an enhanced downtown streetscape, connected to a re-opened waterfront, supplemented by a new mixed-use development. This grant provides a missing piece in the ability to fund the implementation of this vision. It’s Port Chester’s time.”

New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program helps local governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. The program offers free technical assistance, grants, rebates for electric vehicles and funding to assist climate smart infrastructure projects such as Port Chester’s Walkability Project announced today.

Port Chester’s infrastructure and economic development initiatives have received significant ongoing support from a variety of state agencies and programs. Past funding includes approximately $5 million in interest-free financing for the village’s ongoing sewer rehabilitation work through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s (EFC) Clean Water State Revolving Fund and over $1.5 million in Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), NY Office of Homes and Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and NYS DEC for related clean water projects. Port Chester has also been awarded $1,167,500 towards the village’s Bulkhead Reconstruction grant from the Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and $25,000 for Downtown Design Guidelines from the Office of Community Renewal.