What is the New York Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)?

New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a cornerstone of the State's economic development program. The DRI transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. These compact, walkable downtowns are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

The DRI is led by the Department of State, in close partnership with Empire State Development, NYS Homes and Community Renewal and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Learn more about the DRI here: DRI Information

Where IS the Johnson City DRI?

Johnson City's DRI area encompasses the downtown and surrounding lands and buildings that once housed the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company. Johnson City is in the midst of a transformation from a working-class manufacturing community into a new economy leveraging higher education, healthcare and culture. To support these exciting developments, the Village seeks to create a downtown with a youthful, artistic vibe that meets the needs and expectations of this changing demographic and economic marketplace, while preserving and restoring its many historic assets and celebrating its ethnic and cultural diversity. The Village is actively leveraging the growth of the UHS Wilson Medical Center, the recent establishment of Binghamton University's Health Sciences Campus and the redevelopment of the former EJ Victory Building in the heart of downtown to catalyze positive change and spur unprecedented private investment. Additional investment within the downtown will integrate the new Binghamton University and UHS anchors into the downtown core, help develop new housing for students and residents, revitalize vacant storefronts, build upon its cultural infrastructure and continue to develop the unique sense of place that is downtown Johnson City.

Who is on the Local Planning Committee?

The Local Planning Committee (LPC) is comprised of a variety of individuals representing a range of occupations and backgrounds. Representatives from different state agencies help provide guidance on state requirements and other regulatory framework questions. LPC meetings are open to the public and are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 2:00-3:30 pm at Village Hall.

Johnson City DRI Local Planning Committee Members:

  • Martin Meaney (Co-Chair)

Mayor Village of Johnson City

  • Dr. Karen Jones (Co-Chair)

VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Binghamton University

  • Joe Moody

Director, Town of Union Economic Development

  • Tina Dolan

Director, Public Policy and Program Development UHS Medical Center

  • Mary Beth Curtin

Director of Special Projects, Binghamton University

  • Stacey Duncan

CEO Leadership Alliance, The Agency

  • Beth Lucas

Director, Broome County Planning Department

  • Mary Jacyna

Trustee, Village of Johnson City

  • Janet Ottman

Historian, Village of Johnson City

  • Ben Lainhart

Executive Director, Your Home Public Library

  • Elisa Eaton

Assistant Superintendent, Johnson City School District

  • Sue Paredez

Chair, Johnson City Senior Center

  • Thomas Murphy

Owner, The Reveille Restaurant

State Agencies:

  • Julie Sweet

NYS Department of State (DOS)

  • Omar Sanders

Empire State Development (ESD)

  • Ian Benjamin

Homes and Community Renewal (HCR)

  • Harris Weiss

Governor Hochul’s Regional Representative