Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI): Village of Schoharie Slate of Projects Highlight Community Values
SCHOHARIE DRI: 6-MONTH UPDATE
The Big Picture
In March 2025, the Village of Schoharie was awarded $10 million as the Round 8 Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner for the Mohawk Valley Region. Over the past six months, our community has come together to envision a transformed downtown through a collaborative, values-driven planning process.
COMMUNITY-LED PROCESS
Local Planning Committee (LPC): Community representatives have been working alongside state agencies and consultants to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that reflects Schoharie's vision for revitalization.
Community Engagement Highlights:
Open Call for Projects (closed June 23rd)
13 transformative projects submitted
Regular public input opportunities throughout planning process
In-depth LPC review underway
Total Funding Requested: $14,437,659 across 13 signature projects
THE PROJECT SLATE: TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN SCHOHARIE
HOUSING & COMMUNITY GROWTH ($4M+ requested)
Build a New Apartment Community at 218 Main Street (rear) | $2M Convert 1.9 acres into 46 market-rate apartments (one and two-bedroom units) with playground, green space, sidewalks, flood protections, and parking.
Construct a New Apartment Building at 157 Depot Lane | Pipeline Replace the damaged former public safety building with approximately 60 affordable apartments, including ADA-accessible one and two-bedroom units.
Renovate the Upper Floors of the Taylor Block at 295 Main | Pipeline Transform vacant third floor into four new downtown rental apartments, with upgrades to existing second-floor residential space.
Renovate a Mixed-Use Main Street Building at 285 Main Street | Pipeline Expand ground-floor businesses and add apartments on upper floors through interior and exterior renovations.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LOCAL BUSINESS ($4M+ requested)
Develop New Commercial Space with Healthcare Facility at 218 Main Street | $2M Construct new building on 2.5 acres for Schoharie Dental with additional commercial space, featuring central courtyards, underground parking garage, surface parking, landscaping, sidewalks, ADA access, and flood protection.
Raise the Farmers Beef and Brew at 445 Main Street | $1.5M Build a 4,000-square-foot farm-to-table restaurant in a Morton-style building, seating 70 patrons with covered outdoor patio for events.
Create the Village of Schoharie Small Project Fund | $600K Establish locally managed matching fund for smaller downtown projects including building improvements (facades, interiors, HVAC), business expansion (equipment acquisition), and public art.
ARTS, CULTURE & RECREATION ($4.3M+ requested)
Update Borden's Creamery Building into Accessible Community Cultural Center | $870K Make building fully accessible with elevator, ramps, ADA-compliant bathrooms, modernized theatre lighting, updated kitchen, and improved energy, safety, and sewer systems.
Add and Enhance Community Spaces at Schoharie Free Library | $975K Create tech-enabled makerspace, add functional kitchen, improve porch for outdoor summer programming, and enhance energy efficiency and accessibility.
Create Fire House Park at 133 Grand Street | $1.5M Clear deteriorating outbuilding and create park with playground, pavilion, recreational lawn, picnic areas, and community flower garden.
Unlock the Community Pool's Potential as Accessible Community Space | $1.9M Replace bathhouse with larger, fully accessible facility featuring shaded patios and multipurpose community room. Add ADA-compliant walkways, entrances, and pool access. Resurface pool, upgrade plumbing/electrical, and replace kiddie pool.
Restore the 1780s Dutch Barn & Create Event Venue at Old Stone Fort | Pipeline Stabilize and preserve the 40' x 40' barn structure and construct new 40' x 80' pole barn pavilion to expand programming capacity for community and private events.
CONNECTIVITY & PLACEMAKING ($3M requested)
Flow Through Fountain Town: Improve Pedestrian Access & Connectivity | $2.5M Install sidewalks, crosswalks, bump-outs, street trees, and on/off-road walking trails along Main Street, Bridge Street, Spring Street, and Fort Road. Connect downtown to community assets including public parks, pool, 1743 Palatine House, Library, and Old Stone Fort.
Fountain Town Living: Schoharie Branding & Marketing | $500K Launch branding and marketing campaign with engaging signage, branding guidelines, online marketing materials, walking tour with interpretive signage and Augmented Reality experiences, and rotating Storywalk© exhibit.
VALUES-DRIVEN INVESTMENTS
Affordability & Housing Diversity Creating 100+ new housing units (market-rate/affordable) to support families & workforce housing.
Accessibility for All Every project prioritizes ADA compliance, ensuring our downtown is welcoming & accessible to all residents/visitors.
Flood Resilience New construction incorporates flood protections, building a more resilient downtown for the future.
Economic Vitality Supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and attracting new commercial investment to Main Street.
Cultural Preservation Honoring Schoharie's historic assets while modernizing for 21st-century community needs.
Community Gathering Spaces From parks to cultural venues to restaurants, these projects create places where neighbors connect and community thrives.
NEXT STEPS
Fall 2025: Strategic Investment Plan completed by consulting team.
Winter 2025: NYS Department of State reviews and selects projects for DRI funding
Spring 2026: Governor announces project awards. Project implementation begins (reimbursable funding distributed upon completion).
STAY UP TO DATE ON PROGRESS OR GET INVOLVED AT: https://www.villageofschohariedri.com/
SEEC'S ROLE
SEEC authored the award-winning DRI application and continues to support the community-led planning process, ensuring Schoharie's vision for a vibrant, resilient, and connected downtown becomes reality.
