Governor Hochul Announces Far Rockaway as NYC Region Winner in First Round of NY Forward

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Far Rockaway will receive $4.5 million in funding as one of the New York City region winners of the first round of NY Forward. Building on the momentum of the state's successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same "Plan-then-Act" strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York's communities. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to communities in each of the state's ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns.

"New York's smaller towns and cities are the heartbeat of our state,” Governor Hochul said. "Through NY Forward, my administration is building on the continued success of our Downtown Revitalization Initiative to ensure these communities have the resources they need to reach their full potential. I'm proud to announce Far Rockaway will receive $4.5 million from this initiative to support locally-led projects that will enhance the downtown's beauty and help the community thrive."

NY Forward is a central component of the State's economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York's downtowns and commercial corridors. NY Forward communities serve the immediate local residents and are more local in nature, as opposed to communities typically funded through DRI that focus on amenities and attractions that serve the regional community. For the New York City region, NY Forward communities are BID-scale business districts where projects are developed with input from local residents.

Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support those communities with less internal capacity as part of the NY Forward program and fund projects appropriately scaled to the size of each community. Projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.

Far Rockaway
Sitting at the southernmost portion of Queens and the easternmost end of the Rockaway Peninsula, Far Rockaway is a diverse, strong community. It serves as a multi-modal transportation hub, with the Mott Avenue A subway station, the Far Rockaway Long Island Rail Road station, the QM17 Express bus to Midtown Manhattan as well as bus services to Queens and Nassau counties, informal car shares, dockless bike shares and a 20-minute drive to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Furthermore, Far Rockaway encompasses cross-peninsular roads with connections to multiple regional expressways to Manhattan. From Trinity Chapel to the Post Office designed by architect Eric Kebbon to the wedge-shaped bank building, Far Rockaway's downtown has historic characteristics similarly found in smaller villages and hamlets located throughout Long Island and Upstate New York. It also has a diverse merchant community that is heavily dependent on local shoppers and serves as an entry point for immigrant entrepreneurs.

Far Rockaway aims to revitalize its downtown by enhancing its facades to create a more cohesive and beautified area as well as improving pedestrian and visitor wayfinding, bicycle infrastructure and streetscape amenities to emphasize proximity of Far Rockaway's beaches to its downtown commercial core. It also seeks to establish itself as a destination for shopping and dining through partnership with the MTA and by creating seasonal, annual and/or periodic events to attract families to shop and enjoy the area.

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "The NY Forward program is our state's next big step in downtown revitalization with a focus on downtowns in smaller, more residential communities. As one of the first communities selected in the New York City region, Far Rockaway will now work to identify projects that help realize its community-centered visions and transform this neighborhood into a premiere destination to live, work and visit."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Taking inspiration from the successful and transformative approach of the DRI Program, NY Forward will help smaller and rural communities reach their full potential through new opportunities for growth and economic prosperity. This award will have a restorative ripple effect on Far Rockaway, transforming this iconic beach community into an interconnected and vibrant destination, and featuring welcoming spaces where people want to live, work and play."

New York City Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Winston Fisher, Partner at Fisher Brothers, and Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, City University of New York Chancellor, said, "The strategic investments made through NY Forward will have a transformative impact on smaller and rural communities, creating strong foundations for long-term growth and prosperity. We are excited to see the wave of pivotal changes and the positive impact this initiative will have on Far Rockaway, buoying residents, businesses, and visitors alike."

Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "By revitalizing Far Rockaway's diverse, transit-oriented community through smart, locally driven investments, residents and visitors will benefit from today's award for generations to come. I look forward to seeing this remarkable neighborhood enhanced in the years ahead by its participation in Round One of the Governor's innovative NY Forward program."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "I applaud Governor Hochul for awarding these funds to Far Rockaway. These NY Forward funds will help improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the area, will help revitalize Far Rockaway's business districts and will build the foundation for its future."

State Senator James Sanders said, "This investment in Far Rockaway will help in promoting local businesses, creating economic opportunity, and improving the quality of life for residents of southeast Queens This announcement represents a real commitment by New York State towards addressing the years of disinvestment in Far Rockaway. This $4.5 million NY Forward award is a testament to the vitality and strength of our community. Thank you Governor Hochul and all of the community stakeholders who made this possible."

Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson said, "As the New York State Assembly Member representing Far Rockaway, I am pleased that Downtown Far Rockaway will receive a $4.5 million award from the competitive NY Forward program. Downtown Far Rockaway thrives as a vibrant economic, social, and cultural hub for working-class pedestrians and commuters. This award will support our diverse small business community, devastated by Superstorm Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic, by investing in beautification and a more cohesive pedestrian experience. I am committed to working with Governor Hochul, NY Forward, my government colleagues, the merchants association, and community leaders to ensure the post-pandemic renaissance continues in downtown Far Rockaway."

Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato said, "I want to thank the Governor for acknowledging that small towns exist in big cities. With this influx of State funding, NY Forward will help our local community obtain its full potential and ensure our Peninsula has access to its fair share."

Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation President and CEO Kevin W. Alexander said, “On behalf of Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation, we are truly ecstatic about Far Rockaway being announced as a first round winner of the prestigious NY Forward competition. Governor Hochul has been a champion of a more equitable New York State dating back to her days as Lt Governor as she traveled non-stop promoting and encouraging organizations such as RDRC to apply for transformative funding opportunities through the New York State Regional Economic Council Consolidated Funding Application process. NY Forward is a great complement and welcome State partner to the transformation that has begun with the physical rebirth of Downtown Far Rockaway because of the Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project. But it can’t end with just the physical rebuild, we must think about what the existing and new residents envision what Downtown Far Rockaway can be, a vibrant downtown filled with music, arts and culture that represents the gorgeous mosaic of Far Rockaway, Queens.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, “Far Rockaway is undergoing a true renaissance across the board, so we are thrilled Governor Hochul has recognized this resurgence with this important funding award. These funds will greatly aid in the revitalization of Far Rockaway’s downtown and help support a deep, equitable, and sustainable recovery of the entire Rockaway Peninsula. I look forward to contributing to the development of the Strategic Investment Plan that will guide how this funding will be used to make Far Rockaway even stronger as we move ahead.”

The New York City Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered the criteria below before recommending these communities as nominees:

• Downtown is compact with well-defined boundaries;
• Downtown can capitalize on prior, or catalyze future private and public investment;
• Recent or impending job growth within, or in close proximity to the downtown that can attract workers, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;
• Downtown is an attractive and livable community for diverse populations;
• Municipality embraces, or has the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life;
• Municipality has conducted open and robust community engagement to develop a preliminary list of projects and initiatives for downtown revitalization that may be included in a Strategic Investment Plan;
• Municipality has identified transformative projects ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of NY Forward funds; and
• Municipality has the local capacity to manage the planning and implementation of projects, including the ability to oversee contracts for awarded municipal projects.

Far Rockaway will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead these efforts, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities to identify projects that align with each community's vision and that are poised for implementation. Funding will be awarded for selected projects from the Strategic Investment Plan that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.