Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Announces Troy as One of the $10 Million Capital Region Winners of Fifth-Round Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul announced at Franklin Plaza that Troy will receive $10 million in funding as one of the Capital Region winners of the fifth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). As part of DRI Round 5, each of the state's 10 regional economic development regions are being awarded $20 million, to make for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their recovery by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

What an extraordinary day here in downtown Troy. As a former Buffalo Bills coach used to say, where would you rather be than right here, right now? This is the place to be in the State of New York, right in Troy. As Lieutenant Governor for seven years when campaigning, I started coming to Troy in 2014. So, I know this community very well. I've had the chance to see elected officials all over the State of New York and to see the leadership in action by our great mayor, Patrick Madden, I want to thank him for stepping up and running. It's not always easiest thing to do but governing with such heart and vision. He has seen opportunities for the city where other saw none, and he has literally transformed the city of Troy under his watch. Let's give a round of applause to our great mayor, Mayor Madden. Also, my tremendous partners in state government, people that I've developed, again, deep friendships with, you know, you are very fortunate to have them representing you across the river. They fight for you every single day. And that is our Senator Neil Breslin and our greatest Assemblymember, John McDonald. Let's get them a round of applause.

And once a congressman, always at congressman, let's give a round of applause to our former Congressman McNulty here as well, I want to thank you. To all the council members. I'm a former council member for 14 years, so I want to continue to show love to my local officials, because a lot of times they don't get what they deserve, because they are the face of local government. The county legislators, the council members, I want to thank all of you for what you've done. And there's many people in this room who are part of this opportunity to put pen to paper. After listening to the constituents, the stakeholders, the people who love this community with heart and soul and put together an application which I'll discuss in just a few more minutes. I think you might know where I'm heading with this one but thank you. Also, Mike Yevoli, our ESD regional director, and of course our co-chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils had a lot of say in this application, our great leader of SUNY Albany, Havidán Rodríguez. Let's give him a round of applause.

I have to say, to know Troy is to love Troy. It is a place steeped in history. In fact, it was the northernmost point that Henry Hudson stopped. He said, "Well, it doesn't get any better than Troy. I'm staying right here." That's my interpretation of it, but I think that's probably close to what happened. Also, the great story of the Underground Railroad right here. And you know, the adventures of Harriet Tubman, whose story I used to read as a little girl, and I hope you have a chance to go over to Auburn and see the Equal Rights Heritage Center someday. It talks about the great story of the Underground Railroad of which Troy is part of. Also, the history, the fact that this city was selected to be the best place in the country to represent the Gilded Age for the HBO series. How much fun was that? Having them here in the city this past year? And even buildings like this, I mean, so steeped in great stories. Nobody else can capture the essence of a community so unique as Troy, this building alone is where I'm sure you all know this history where they actually drew the diagrams for the Monitor. As they're trying to figure out how they could have a battleship that would help win the war. And it was done right in these rooms here. So, when you walk through these halls, think about the people that came before us. Who did have vision? Who believed in the downtown? The people decided this was the best place on the planet to make collars of all things and how popular that was. This is part of our DNA here to make things, but also to imagine a better future.

That's what today is about as well. The dreamers, the visionaries of today should be applauded because 100 years from now, they're going to look back and say, "wow, what did they do?" Especially after a global pandemic that knocked so many parts of our state to its knees. The question is, how did we come back? What did that look like? What did it feel like? And where did we go from there? That is how history will be judging us. And I feel the weight of that on my shoulders immensely as the governor who will lead us through the end of this pandemic and into the next era of New York State history. All of you are part of that story. You're sitting here because you love this community with your heart and soul. That is what makes a difference in communities. And those who see a waterfront as well, that just wasn't embraced and cherished the way it should have been for many, many years. We can right the wrongs of the past right now, and that's what we're going to do.

So, thank you to everyone who was involved in writing an application. Thank you to people who have stepped forward and with that - drum roll. I'm really proud to announce that Troy has won a $10 million downtown revitalization award. Congratulations, Troy. Congratulations.

Yes. Give yourselves a round of applause because I know this is just going to jumpstart the recovery, support the local businesses who had to go through some tough times. Even if you're a pizza guy at DeFazio's, Rocco's here, how 'bout that? Little tough time there wasn't it? As an aside Rocco and I kind of hit it off when I walked into his place with a young woman, Bernadette from the New York Post. And she says, you have to come eat here. You have to come here. And I said, okay, I'm a connoisseur of pizzas. I just need you to know this. I spent five years of my life in high school. In Buffalo, making chicken wings and pizzas. So, when I walk into a pizzeria, I don't just say, I'm going to walk up to the counter and order something. I walk behind the counter and say, give me an apron and watch what I can do. Did I not do that?

So, so it was the 60th anniversary of the Buffalo Bills. And I said, I'm going to make a Buffalo Bills special tribute pizza. So, he got out of the way, all his staff's like, who is this person? And I thought it was quite good. I thought it was, it was quite extraordinary. I haven't seen it on the menu yet, but there's time. But to all the little businesses, you know, the, you know, the Whistling Kettle there is fresh. I'm coming back next week.

You know, and I have a confession to make the reason I know Troy so well is this was my escape. I would put on a baseball hat and a pair of jeans when I was staying in Albany. And figured that the press wouldn't find me here, and heck, they didn't even recognize me anyhow when I was Lieutenant Governor, but that might be ending kind of soon.

And I used to go into places like Whistling Kettle for a cup of tea. I'd stick around and go to Slidin' Dirty for the best burgers in town. I mean just — and get some pizza. And so, I really love walking the streets, seeing the place just ooze with charm and possibility. That's what this announcement is going to allow, not just for the people who've always lived here, who never gave up on this community, who had faith in the future, but the people will begin to attract here.

And I'm talking about all the people who decided big city life was not for them, that they may be able to continue working remotely or partially remotely. And the incubators that were developing downtown and the places I've been to, to see what we can have smart young people graduating from places like RPI, who stay here, who have a dream and they can take their concept, commercialize it. All of a sudden there are growth business and we're hiring more people right here. I see all the possibilities. But they also want quality of life. They want a walkable downtown. They want safety.

They want good streetlights and connection to the waterfront, this is what people crave. They don't want that house out in the suburbia, with the picket fence isolated from everybody. People after this pandemic, they want to be with people more than ever before. This is our moment. This is when we can use this money as a catalyst to make sure that we can accomplish this and to excite this community but also to attract others as well. So, we are going to be revitalizing the waterfront district, it will allow more visitors to come here and see our restaurants, quality of life as I mentioned.

But also, let's talk about new green public spaces. This is what people want. They want to walk through and not just see asphalt and sidewalks, streets, they want to see green. They need that joule to the soul. They want to feel the outdoors again. They want to feel that connection to nature that was so cherished during this pandemic.

We also have to preserve our rich and historic architecture, no one can touch this community when it comes to incredible architecture. It is gorgeous! *applause* so let's honor that. Let's cherish that and preserve it as well. We also want to break down barriers and ensure that our community together and ensure that we have a vibrant downtown. We want to make sure that all neighborhoods along the Hudson feel their part of the same success and that is very important to me as well.

So, we will be investing in cluster growth and innovate products that will modernize the city, promoting economic, equity and environmental sustainability. Critically important as we continue to fight back the ravages of mother nature who seems really mad at us the last few years. We need to make sure we are climate resistant now. Everything we build has to assume that there is going to be a major flood or a hurricane Ida where the waters just came rushing to place even New York City through the subways, reminiscent of Sandy.

So, this is our new normal. As we are building back its not just building back what we had before but building back smarter and in a way that will protect us when those climate effects start coming in force as they have been. We are also investing in infrastructure to make sure that the streets are good. Quality of life issues means you are not going over potholes. It's that simple. People can just walk through and say "yes, the curbs are fixed."

That's a sign that the community cares about itself. That they invested in infrastructure as unexciting as that may sound. All my years of local government, when we put new sidewalks through an area, new streets, people say "yes", it feels new, it feels fresh, it feels great again. And I am very excited because I will be heading to Washington on Monday. After some meetings here in Troy and Albany. I will be with the President when he signs the infrastructure bill.

People are going to say are you going to spend that money? This might be a little sexist, but I am a woman, and I love to spend. I am going to spend that money in every corner of the state to continue building on the investments we've made but this is a once in a generational opportunity. For use to bring that money back to local government and take care of the storm sewers, the water lines, all the underground infrastructure that was neglected for too long. That's what we are about to do. So, I want to thank everyone.

So, when you leave here today. Hopefully you will have a little more of a lipt in your steps. You will say "yes, I was there to witness the beginning." The beginning of a whole new era of collaboration. Which is the reason why we won this. It was the collaboration of so many individuals in this room and I can't thank you all individually, but I know you worked so hard. You brought it together, it's your vision, it's not Albany's vision. It's the vision of the people who love Troy, and with the 10 million dollars, have a great time.

I will be back for many more ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, and go forward. Thank you very much!