ABOUT
NY FORWARD OVERVIEW
NY Forward was launched in 2022 to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller communities, with a focus on hamlets, villages, and neighborhood-scale commercial centers. With the NY Forward program, smaller communities have the opportunity to received planning and implementation support needed to attract and support businesses, residents, and visitors while providing for a high quality of life for the community.
Similar to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), the NYS Department of State administers the Governor’s NY Forward program in close coordination with HCR, ESD, NYSERDA, and several other State partners.
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Additional guidance can be found in the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Guidebook.
NY FORWARD PROGRAM GOALS
01
Enhance downtown living and quality of life
02
Create an active downtown with a mix of uses
03
Provide a diverse mix of employment opportunities
05
Provide public spaces that serve all ages and abilities
06
Encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
07
Grow the local property tax base
04
Create diverse housing options for all incomes
NY FORWARD TIMELINE
How we get from planning to action
Planning Process
May - November 2023
NY Forward Grant Awards Announced
Spring 2024
Project Implementation
2024 - 2027
NYF PROCESS FOR AWARDED COMMUNITIES
MEDINA OVERVIEW
After weathering years of sustained economic depression, deterioration of landscapes and architectural assets, as well as the blighting of its downtown, the Village of Medina has found resolve with an infallible commitment to envisage a better future. Downtown Medina is trending in the right direction with having secured millions in public and private investment, attracted businesses and jobs, and made a concerted effort to enhance its public realm.
This momentum positions the community at the cusp of real and noteworthy transformation. Medina has a proven ability to administer economic development initiatives, a demonstrated need for further improvement, and the pieces in place to ensure that the benefits of revitalization are felt by all in the community. Funding from the NY Forward program will further leverage other recent economic successes to continue to grow and diversify the local economy.
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Read the Village of Medina's NY Forward draft vision statement.
STUDY AREA
The Medina NY Forward study area consists of 0.3 square-miles. It is compact and walkable, with almost any destination within the boundary accessible in a 5-minute walk. The area encompasses many of the Village of Medina’s most impactful economic drivers including: the Medina Railroad Museum – a regional attraction; the Canal Basin – which draws boaters from as far away as Australia; the Canal Village Farmer’s Market – an important outlet for local vendors; and favorite Village dining establishments. The boundary also includes a significant portion of the Village’s local waterfront.