Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Clute Park Playground Marks Completion of Watkins Glen’s Final DRI Project

ADA Compliant Playground Features 12,000 Square Feet of Play Space, Including Accessible Swings, Carousel and Ramps

The New York Department of State today announced the completion of Watkins Glen’s final Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) project at a ribbon cutting for Clute Park Playground. Watkins Glen has now completed all eight of its projects funded under the State’s highly successful DRI, as well as an additional 16 projects with more than $1.9 million from the Village’s DRI multisite/small project fund. Together, these projects further the State and Village’s combined goal of capitalizing on Watkins Glen’s existing assets and creating a vibrant year-round economy.

“Right from the start, Watkins Glen set the bar high for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative program – implementing high-quality projects, fostering strong community engagement and spurring further investment in their downtown," New York Department of State Secretary Walter T. Mosley said. "They’ve truly demonstrated what successful revitalization looks like, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this community. Congratulations to Watkins Glen on this significant achievement!”

The ADA-compliant Clute Park Playground includes 12,000 square feet of play space with features to help infiltrate stormwater. The playground is also outfitted with accessible ramps; individual and group ADA compliant swings; an accessible carousel; and special flooring for the walkways. The playground was made possible by $250,000 in DRI funds and $375,000 in Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) funds.

In addition to the playground, Clute Park saw year-round recreation improvements completed in 2021, including a new ice rink/splash pad, event center, bathhouse, lighting, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements. The $5.9 million project was supported through nearly $3 million from the DRI, approximately $2.5 million in EPF LWRP funds and $415,000 in New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation funds.

The Village of Watkins Glen was named the Southern Tier Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner for the second round in 2017. Watkins Glen’s Strategic Investment Plan builds on the Village’s many natural resources and amenities, such as its Seneca Lake waterfront and the world-renowned racetrack. The plan focused on increasing walkability, providing a greater range of housing opportunities, promoting downtown as a vibrant, mixed-use district, supporting arts, culture and entertainment, attracting high-paying jobs and promoting Watkins Glen as a year-round destination for residents, businesses and visitors. 

In addition to the Clute Park playground, Watkins Glen completed the following DRI projects:

• Developed a New Mixed-Income Housing and Childcare Center – $500,000 DRI Award: This project featured the construction of new mixed-income housing and a childcare center on a vacant site owned by the Watkins Glen Housing Authority. Forty-two apartment units and a 5,000-square foot daycare center were designed to fit into the existing neighborhood.
• Implemented Year-Round Recreation Improvements at Clute Park – $2,700,000 DRI Award: DRI funds were used to improve Clute Park by adding an ice rink/splash pad, event center, bathhouse, lighting, landscaping, signage, ADA accessible playground and related site improvements.
• Redeveloped Captain Bill's Port of Seneca Lake to Improve Site Plan and Enhance Views – $500,000 DRI Award: Redesign the site containing Captain Bill's Seneca Lake Cruise Terminal to enhance views of the lake and draw visitors to the waterfront. Construct a new two-story building to house Captain Bill's to allow the company to expand operations by including event space.
• Renovated VFW Building into a Fitness Center, Upper Story Apartments and Transform Vacant Medical Office into Apartments – $250,000 DRI Award: The Harborside Village Apartments project transformed a formerly vacant medical office into five market-rate apartments. The former Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) building located nearby was also renovated for use as a fitness center with four upper floor residential units.
• Installed New Lighting on Franklin Street – $1,500,000 DRI Award: Coordinated street lighting improvements on Franklin Street with repaving work completed by the New York State Department of Transportation. DRI funds were used to install conduit and foundations and purchase new fixtures.
• Installed Gateway and Wayfinding Signage – $644,875 DRI Award: Installed gateway signs to welcome visitors at the four major gateways to the Village. Installed wayfinding signage to help orient pedestrians, cyclists and drivers while promoting local businesses and attractions.
• Updated the Village’s Zoning Code – $50,000 DRI Award: Revised the zoning code to address conflicts raised by the high demand for short-term and seasonal rental housing; update design guidelines; adopt a local historic district; ensure there are no unintended barriers to development; and encourage appropriate type and scale of development consistent with the village character.
• Upgraded Lafayette Park with New Equipment, Lighting and Landscaping – $276,047 DRI Award: Made improvements to Lafayette Park that include a permanent public restroom, signage, safety surfaces around the play area, lighting, perimeter sidewalks and a new bandstand roof.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Economic development is a team effort, and Governor Hochul believes positive, productive partnerships with local communities is the most successful way to achieve a stronger and more sustainable statewide economy. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a concrete example of that approach –from improved streetscapes and waterfront access to better housing and recreational options, our focused investments in Watkins Glen will bring more amenities and energy to this already vibrant village." 

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is transforming communities and improving New Yorkers’ quality-of-life. This $16 million investment allowed Watkins Glen officials to make important upgrades throughout its downtown area, including creating five new housing units, that will better ensure the village remains a destination for families and visitors for generations to come. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership, as well as our partners for making investments to improve Watkins Glen and communities across the state."

Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “The Village of Watkins Glen is such a special place in the Finger Lakes. We are so glad to be part of the revitalization of Clute Park and this DRI commitment from Governor Hochul. It helps make Watkins Glen a year-round recreational attraction that is safe, accessible, and welcoming for all visitors.”

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Village of Watkins Glen, which is known for its racing history, wineries, nationally recognized state park and picturesque landscapes, is an upstate tourism mecca, and the Department of Transportation is very proud of the role that we played in laying the foundation for the enhancements provided through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative program. The project we completed in Watkins Glen was the first in a series of main street projects NYSDOT initiated throughout the Southern Tier in recent years, which also included Canisteo and Montour Falls.  It was great to work with all of our partners at the state and local level to make this DRI initiative a reality and with Southern Tier tourism now in full swing in Watkins Glen, I truly believe that the potential for this one-of-a-kind upstate destination is limitless.”  

Village of Watkins Glen Mayor Laurie DeNardo said, “With the full implementation of our $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, we’ve transformed our vision for the future of Watkins Glen into a reality. The projects completed as part of this program enhance our Village’s charm, fostering a year-round economy and stronger sense of community. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Secretary Mosley and all of our state partners who have supported us throughout this transformative process.”

Carl Blowers, Chairman of the Schuyler County Legislature, “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects in Watkins Glen are more than a local success, they are a catalyst for economic growth across Schuyler County and the entire Southern Tier region. Projects like Clute Park not only create recreation and gathering spaces for existing residents, but help to boost tourism and attract new residents. Congratulations to Watkins Glen on this significant achievement of a newly revitalized downtown!”

In 2019, the State Department of Transportation completed a $7.2 million project to resurface and improve nearly 16 lane miles of State Route 14 from the Village of Watkins Glen to the Town of Reading in Schuyler County. A gateway entrance to Watkins Glen was created on the northern end of the village that included raised islands in the median to calm traffic and slow vehicles, enhancing safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. In coordination with funding from the DRI Initiative, the project also included installation of foundations for new decorative lighting along Main Street and preparations for a new welcome sign at the northern end of the village. To promote the village's auto racing history, pedestrian crosswalks were painted in a checkered flag pattern and historical information signs were placed along the original road course used for the first Watkins Glen Grand Prix race held in 1948. Colored paver blocks with embedded monuments commemorating race car drivers from Watkins Glen International races of the past were also placed along both sides of State Route 14.

In the FY2025 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul made the “Pro-Housing Community” designation a requirement for cities, towns and villages to access up to $650 million in State discretionary programs, including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and New York Forward. To date, more than 300 municipalities across the State have become certified. To further support localities that are doing their part to address the housing crisis, Governor Hochul is creating a $100 million Pro-Housing Supply fund for certified Pro-Housing Communities to assist with critical infrastructure projects necessary to create new housing, such as sewer and water infrastructure upgrades.

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State strengthen its economy, as well as to achieving the State's bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through nine rounds, the DRI has awarded a total of $900 million to 91 communities across every region of the State.