Ogdensburg DRI Open Call for Projects

The City of Ogdensburg has received funding through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative to support catalytic projects that will spur revitalization within the Ogdensburg DRI boundary. Through the DRI Project Form and Open Call for Projects, the Ogdensburg Local Planning Committee is seeking proposals from the public for potential inclusion in the city's Strategic Investment Plan. Projects included in the Strategic Investment Plan will subsequently be reviewed by New York State and may receive funding from Ogdensburg's total DRI allocation of $9.7 million. Submission of a project does not constitute an application for or guarantee of New York State funding, and inclusion in the Strategic Investment Plan likewise does not guarantee an award. Eligible project types include public improvement projects, new development, rehabilitation or redevelopment of existing downtown buildings, and downtown-wide branding and marketing. Public improvements may include streetscape and transportation improvements, recreational trails, wayfinding signage, parks, plazas, public art, green infrastructure, and other public-realm improvements. Building projects may support mixed-use, commercial, residential, not-for-profit, or public uses and should have a visible and functional downtown impact. Branding and marketing projects must involve one-time costs intended to promote the downtown overall rather than individual businesses. The separate Small Project Fund pathway is not part of this grant entry. Applicants with projects under $75,000 in total project cost are instructed not to use the regular DRI Project Form and instead to use the Small Project Fund Interest Form. Standalone DRI projects must generally have at least $75,000 in total project cost and should be sufficiently transformative for the downtown. Projects must generally be located within the Ogdensburg DRI boundary, although an applicant proposing a project outside the boundary may explain how the project relates to downtown and supports DRI goals, and the Local Planning Committee may consider minor boundary adjustments. Projects must be capable of breaking ground within two years or sooner after receiving DRI funding. Projects should have financial commitments largely secured or demonstrate a clear path toward sufficient financing. Private-sponsored projects have a minimum match requirement of 25 percent of total project cost. Public and not-for-profit projects have no minimum match requirement. DRI funding is reimbursement-based, and recipients may need bridge financing, owner equity, or another financing mechanism until grant funds are released. Every project must have an identified sponsor with the capacity and legal authority to undertake the proposed project. Sponsors may be public, not-for-profit, or private entities. Membership-only organizations and religious facilities may sponsor projects only when the proposed project is available to the public and not solely to active members. Certain new construction, substantial renovation, and building addition projects must incorporate applicable decarbonization techniques. Ineligible uses include planning activities following preparation of the Strategic Investment Plan, ongoing operations and maintenance such as salaries, rent, utilities, and property upkeep, costs incurred before the Strategic Investment Plan is completed and awards are announced, property acquisition paid with DRI funds, continuous training and other program expenses, and expenses associated with existing programs. Property acquisition may appear in the overall project budget only when another funding source pays for the acquisition. Applicants must complete the DRI Project Form with project sponsor and contact information, project type, project location, a detailed project description and scope of work, existing conditions and project background, alignment with community vision and goals, property ownership, sponsor capacity and implementation partners, preliminary cost estimates, requested DRI funding, other funding sources and their status, the basis for cost estimates, project readiness, environmental considerations, anticipated permits and approvals, implementation challenges, historic-property status, and an implementation timeline. Images of the existing project site or building are required. Additional readiness documentation may include images or renderings of the proposed project, construction cost estimates or contractor quotes, financial commitment letters, documentation from other funding entities, agreements, business plans, market studies, pro-forma analyses, anticipated permits and approvals, property surveys, and property-owner support or lease documentation. Some supplemental materials marked in the form are not required at initial submission but will be required before LPC Meeting 4 for projects continuing through evaluation. Projects will be evaluated for alignment with State DRI goals, catalytic effect, project readiness, cost effectiveness, and co-benefits. Relevant State goals include creating an active downtown with a strong sense of place, attracting businesses and employment, enhancing spaces for arts and cultural events, supporting diverse housing and employment opportunities, increasing the local property tax base, improving downtown quality of life, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing resilience to climate impacts. The Open Call began July 30, 2026. Completed project forms and supplemental materials must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. on September 8, 2026. Applications may be submitted through www.OgdensburgDRI.com, by email to OgdensburgDRI@gmail.com, or by mail or hand delivery to FAO: Katie Sovie, City Hall, 330 Ford St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669. Following the deadline, project development is scheduled for September through November 2026, during which the consultant team will work with project sponsors and sponsors will be expected to respond promptly to requests for information. The Local Planning Committee will discuss and evaluate submissions through subsequent meetings and recommend a final slate of projects to New York State. The Strategic Investment Plan is scheduled for submission to the State in March 2027. Project award announcements are anticipated in summer 2027, and costs incurred before the award announcement are not eligible for reimbursement. Contracting and project implementation are expected to begin in fall 2027. Applicants are highly encouraged to meet with the consultant team regarding eligibility, evaluation, or the application form, and questions may be directed to OgdensburgDRI@gmail.com. The source does not state that this Ogdensburg Open Call recurs on an annual or other regular schedule.

Demonstrate alignment with State DRI goals and the community's vision and goals; show catalytic downtown impact and ability to attract additional investment; demonstrate near-term project readiness; provide realistic costs and show cost effectiveness; identify community co-benefits; demonstrate that financing is largely secured or provide a clear path to sufficient financing; leverage non-DRI funding where possible because projects using other funding sources will be more competitive; provide thorough and complete responses; respond promptly to consultant and State requests for additional information; consider meeting with the Consultant Team to discuss eligibility, evaluation, and project details.