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Chamber CEO tapped to co-chair East Harlem revitalization initiative along with Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine

East Harlem Initiative holds 1st Public Meeting and Announces Open Call For Project Proposals as Part of the NYS Department of State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) $10 Million Grant

Chamber CEO Jessica Walker tapped to co-chair East Harlem revitalization intiative along with Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine

New York, NY - Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine announced today the launch of the East Harlem Open Call for Projects. East Harlem has been awarded funds through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to implement catalytic projects that can spur revitalization of the community’s commercial corridors. A Local Planning Committee (LPC), co-chaired by Borough President Levine and Jessica Walker, President & CEO of Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, has been established and is now seeking project proposals from the public to be included in East Harlem’s Strategic Investment Plan, which will be submitted to New York State later this year. Now is the time to get involved in the DRI planning process and to submit any project proposals to improve your community.

Visit www.eastharlemdri.com for more information on how you can participate in the East Harlem DRI and to learn more about submitting a project proposal. All project proposals must be received by Friday, July 30, 2023 @ 5pm

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds are great news for East Harlem, showing how crucial this neighborhood is for our region's economic health. We sought this funding knowing it could be a game changer, fueling the cultural, social, and economic life that makes East Harlem such a vibrant part of our borough. I want to give a big thanks to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for working with us, and I'm eager to partner with local stakeholders and neighbors in the coming weeks and months to ensure this money is put to its best use."

"Community members have already shown enthusiasm about participating in this revitalization effort which is ultimately driven by their collective vision for the neighborhood," said Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. "I'm excited to be working with Borough President Levine on this critical initiative and am thankful to Governor Hochul for understanding that these resources can be a 'game-changer' for East Harlem."

All Are Invited to Participate in First Community Engagement Meeting for East Harlem DRI Grant on July 13th, 2023.

Residents, businesses owners and other interested individuals are invited to join in a Community Meeting on Thursday, July 13th, 2023 at 6:30 p.m., at Johnson, 1829 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029 to learn more about the East Harlem Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and share their input. For more information on the DRI process, please visit the project website at www.eastharlemdri.com

Public feedback is welcome on such topics as:

  • Vision and Goals for the East Harlem DRI Area
  • Revitalization Themes, Issues, and Opportunities
  • Potential DRI Projects

Thursday’s meeting is the first of three Community Meetings that will be conducted over the next few months. Please check our project website for future meeting details. It is important to both Borough President Levine and the State that the DRI process is inclusive and transparent and thus we encourage all to participate.

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