DRI Project Form

 

The Village of Malone has been awarded funds through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to fund catalytic projects in the downtown to spur revitalization. The Local Planning Committee (LPC) is seeking project proposals from the public for potential projects to be included in Malone's Strategic Investment Plan. Projects included in the Strategic Investment Plan will be reviewed by New York State and may receive funding from a total allocation of $9.7 million. Project proposals must be received by:

 

July 31st, 2025 at 5:00pm 

 

An informational meeting to learn more about the Open Call for Projects and eligibility requirements will be held virtually via office hours which can be booked via the project website: www.MaloneDRI.com

 

Individual Meeting:
Click Here to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Consultant and State team.

For more information on how to join these virtual sessions,
see: www.MaloneDRI.com

How to Submit Your Project

 

1. Review the Eligibility Criteria and Project Requirements

To learn about requirements for projects and to make sure your project is eligible to be considered for DRI funding.

 

2. Review the Local Vision, Goals, and Evaluation Criteria

To learn about the vision and goals for Malone's downtown and about how the Local Planning Committee (LPC) and State will evaluate projects

 

3. Fill out the Project Proposal Submission Form

Address each topic thoroughly and completely. The LPC will use this information to consider projects to be included in Malone's Strategic Investment Plan.

 

4. Submit your Completed Application

Submit your completed application (and any supplemental materials) either electronically, in- person, or by mail no later than July 31st at 5:00pm.

 

To submit online:

Continue on and complete this form.

 

To submit via email:

Visit www.MaloneDRI.org to download an application form and email your completed application and any supplemental materials to maloneDRI@gmail.com

 

To submit a hard copy, mail or hand-deliver:

Visit www.MaloneDRI.org to download and print an appliaction form. Mail or turn-in your completed application and any supplemental materials to: Village of Malone, 343 W Main Street, Malone, New York 12953

 

All applicants are highly encouraged to schedule a meeting to discuss project details. To schedule a meeting to ask questions regarding project eligibility, evaluation, or the project form please visit www.malonedri.com to sign up for a one-on-one meeting with the consultant and state team. Information on virtual drop-in sessions is also available on the website.

Project Types & Requirements

It is expected that DRI funds will be used for capital projects that will transform the physical environment of the downtown in ways that will benefit current residents and future generations. However, certain non-capital projects or projects that may lead to capital investment will also be considered to the extent that they will contribute to the revitalization of the downtown. The following is a description of eligible and ineligible project types.

Eligible Project Types

• Public Improvement Projects. These may include projects such as streetscape and transportation improvements, recreational trails, wayfinding signage, new and upgraded parks, plazas, public art, green infrastructure, and other public realm projects that will contribute to the revitalization of the downtown.

• New Development and/or Rehabilitation of Existing Downtown Buildings. Projects in this category may include the development or redevelopment of real property for mixed- use, commercial, residential, not-for-profit, or public uses. Projects should have a visible and functional impact on the downtown, serving as catalytic or transformative projects that will provide employment opportunities, housing choices, and/or services for the community.

• Small Project Fund. A locally managed matching small project fund may be proposed to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as facade enhancements, building renovation improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance, or public art. Funds are capped at $600,000 for DRI communities and $300,000 for NYF communities. However, an NYF community may receive up to $600,000 if substantial demand is demonstrated.

• Branding and Marketing. Examples include downtown branding and marketing projects that may target residents, investors, developers, tourists, and/or visitors. The costs eligible under this category must be one-time expenses, such as those to develop materials and signage. This project type is intended for the overall branding and marketing of a downtown, not to provide branding and marketing services to individual downtown businesses or other entities.

Ineligible Project Types

• Planning activities. Following the preparation of the Strategic Investment Plan, all DRI funds must be used for projects that directly implement the plan.
• Operations and maintenance. DRI funds cannot be used for on-going or routine expenses, such as staff salaries and wages, rent, utilities, and property up keep.
• Pre-award costs. Reimbursement for costs incurred before the completion of the Strategic Investment Plan and the announcement of funding awards is not permitted.
• Property acquisition. The cost of property acquisition can be included in the overall project budget, but the acquisition must be funded by another funding source.
• Training and other program expenses. The DRI program is a one-time infusion of funds and cannot be used to cover continuous costs, such as training costs and expensed related to existing programs.
• Expenses related to existing programs. DRI funds cannot be used to supplement existing programs or replace existing resources.

Project Requirements

The following are the requirements for projects to be considered for DRI funding. Recognizing several requirements must be met to qualify for DRI funding, each project sponsor will have access to technical support from State agencies and a consultant team to assist with project development (i.e. construction cost estimates, renderings, climate resilient design, meeting decarbonization requirements, etc.)

• Project Location. Projects must be located within the Malone DRI boundary. If your project is located outside the DRI boundary, please provide a brief description of how the project relates to the downtown and supports the stated goals of the DRI. Minor boundary modifications may be considered by the LPC.
• Project Timing. Projects must be able to break ground within two years or sooner of receiving DRI funding.
• Project Size and Scale. Projects must be large enough to be truly transformative for the downtown area. Standalone DRI projects must be at least $75,000 in total project cost.* Projects less than $75,000 can be submitted through this process as demonstration of demand for a Small Project Fund. If you have a project that is under $75,000 in total project costs, please contact the consultant team at maloneDRI@gmail.com for more information.
• Project Funding. Projects should have financial commitments largely secured or be able to demonstrate a clear path to securing sufficient financing. It is strongly encouraged that all projects, especially private projects, use non-DRI funds that leverage requested public funding. Projects that use other funding sources will be more competitive for funding awards. For projects with a private sponsor, there is a minimum match requirement of 25% of the total project cost.** There is no minimum match requirement for public or not-for-profit projects.
• Project Sponsors. Every project must have an identified project sponsor. Sponsors may be public, not-for-profit, or private entities with the capacity and legal authority to undertake the proposed project. Proposals with project sponsors that are membership- only organizations or religious facilities must propose projects that are available to the public and not just to active members.
• Building Decarbonization. For DRI communities, all public, private, and not-for- profit projects that meet the criteria for new construction, substantial renovation, or a building addition shall include decarbonization techniques. Each project that meets the criteria will be required to select a method of demonstrating that the project satisfies the requirements More information on this requirement can be found in the DRI/NYF Guidebook.

If your project does not meet all of the criteria described in this section, we still want to hear your project idea! Please share your ideas at www.MaloneDRI.com.

*A project may be exempt from the $75,000 minimum project cost under special circumstances. This exemption can only be sought after consultation with the consultant and State team.

**A private project may be exempt from the 25% minimum match requirement under special circumstances. This exemption can only be sought after consultation with the consultant and State team.

DRI Community’s Vision and Goals

The following draft vision was included in the Village of Malone’s DRI application. After LPC meeting #2, the updated draft vision and goals will be added. Alignment with Malone’s vision and goals will be a criteria that the LPC will be using to evaluate submitted projects.

 

Vision for Downtown

Situated in the foothills of the Adirondacks, Downtown Malone is the hub of the community; a walkable vibrant mixed-use neighborhood that is home to a growing number of residents, prosperous locally-owned businesses, strong civic institutions, a thriving cultural scene, and accessible outdoor recreation opportunities along the Salmon River. Tree-lined sidewalks showcase public art and unique shops, while year-round events keep Downtown buzzing as the preferred location for a locally-rooted, authentic experience. As it grows and evolves, Downtown Malone is building a history for future generations, honoring its heritage while shaping a dynamic and inclusive future. 

Goals & Strategies 

1. Preserve Historic and Cultural Resources
• Respect historic design and architecture in downtown renovations and revitalization efforts while allowing for new construction.
• Celebrate Malone’s identity through public art, murals, and interpretive signage that highlight local history and culture.

2. Enhance Walkability and Public Realm
• Improve sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, and seating to create a safe and welcoming pedestrian environment.• Add street trees, planters, and green infrastructure to beautify the downtown streetscape.
• Expand wayfinding and signage to guide visitors and enhance the sense of place.

3. Support Small Businesses and Local Entrepreneurship
• Encourage diverse, locally-owned retail, dining, and service businesses in storefronts.
• Activate vacant or underused spaces with small businesses.
• Support business retention, expansion, and new employment opportunities.
• Develop upper-floor housing to strengthen the local workforce and business base.

4. Improve Access to the Salmon River and Outdoor Recreation
• Enhance access to riverfront trails, parks, and green spaces for walking, biking, and relaxing.
• Develop amenities such as benches, overlooks, and access points along the river.
• Promote the Salmon River as a defining feature and gathering space for Malone.

5. Foster Community Life Through Arts, Culture, and Events
• Activate parks, plazas, and public spaces with concerts, performances, art installations, and cultural events.
• Host regular programming such as farmers’ markets, festivals, and family-friendly activities to encourage year-round use.

Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria have been established by the Malone's Local Planning Committee (LPC) for project evaluation. These criteria were developed based on the State’s evaluation criteria, which are listed at the bottom of the page. The LPC will use these criteria when discussing and evaluating proposed projects throughout the DRI planning process.

 

- All property taxes associated with the project must be current.
- Applicants must respond to follow-up requests in a timely and complete manner.

 

State Evaluation Criteria

Alignment with State DRI Goals.

• Create an active downtown with a strong sense of place.
• Attract new businesses that create a robust mix of shopping, entertainment and service options for residents and visitors, and that provide job opportunities for a variety of skills and salaries.
• Enhance public spaces for arts and cultural events that serve the existing members of the community but also draw in visitors from around the region.
• Build a diverse population, with residents and workers supported by complementary diverse housing and employment opportunities.
• Grow the local property tax base.
• Provide amenities that support and enhance downtown living and quality of life.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support investments that are more resilient to future climate change impacts

Grow the local property tax base. Provide amenities that support and enhance downtown living and quality of life.

Catalytic Effect. The project is likely to have a significant positive impact on the revitalization of the downtown by attracting other public and private investment at a scale appropriate for the DRI community.

Project Readiness. The project should be well-developed and poised to proceed in the near-term in a way that will jump start the redevelopment of the DRI area.

Cost Effectiveness. Investment of DRI funds in the project would represent an effective and efficient use of public resources.

Co-Benefits. The project will result in secondary benefits to both the community, which will generate additional economic activity and improve quality of life in the neighborhood.

 

DRI Project Form

Please complete this form in order for your project to be considered for LPC and potential DRI funding. Please address each topic thoroughly and completely. The LPC will use this information to consider projects to be included in Malone's Strategic Investment Plan. Project sponsors are expected to provide timely responses to requests for any additional information from New York State and/or the DRI consultant.

Project Sponsor

Provide the contact information for the project sponsor, which is the entity proposing to implement the project. The project sponsor can be different from the property owner.

If there are additional people who should be contacted as part of this proposal, please provide their contact information.

Small Project (Less than $75,000 in Total Cost)

 If you are interested in submitting a Small Project, do not complete this form; instead, please use the Small Project Fund Interest Form, which can be found at www.MaloneDRI.com.

Please provide a detailed description of the proposed project’s scope of work, as applicable:

• The proposed use (e.g., commercial, industrial, public improvement, mixed-use)
• The goal of the project.
• Any work or planning done previously on the proposed project.
• The size of the project (e.g., square footage of the building and space to be renovated (if applicable), number of floors, acreage, number of units, type of housing, commercial tenants, etc.).
• The types of activities to be completed as part of this project (e.g., sidewalk construction, replacement of flooring, exterior siding, interior walls, plumbing and electricity in upper floors).

It is important to provide as much detail on the proposed project scope as possible. The information submitted on this form does not need to be final and may be subject to change.

**If your project involves new construction or renovation of a building, please complete the question regarding decarbonization on a later page.**

**Private project sponsors will be expected to submit information about the long-term financial feasibility of their project. At a minimum, project sponsors will be required to submit documentation demonstrating the ability to financially maintain the business/building after project completion. This may include a pro- forma (strongly encouraged from projects requesting $500,000 or more from DRI), a business plan, or other documents showing cash flow. It is strongly encouraged that this documentation be provided when submitting this form, but it may be submitted later.**

Please complete the budget table below. Please identify different activities associated with the project, their costs, the funding source, and the status. Please use the following definitions to guide the response for the Budget.

Secured: This funding source and amount of funding is guaranteed.

Anticipated: This funding source is reasonably expected to be available at the time of project implementation, but the project sponsor does not have the funds currently available. This status may apply for funding sources such as loans, bonds, or fees.

Requested: The project sponsor has submitted a request to a funding entity for the amount identified but has not received confirmation of funding. This category is appropriate for the DRI funding source or other grants.

Undetermined: This funding source has not been secured, and the project sponsor has not fully identified the funding sources and amounts.

Notes: Typical activities included in a construction budget include: architectural and design costs, permit and survey fees, site preparation costs, insurance / bond fees, construction costs, and contingencies.

DRI funds are structured as reimbursable grants. If DRI funds are awarded, the grant recipient may need to finance the total project cost using a bridge loan, owner equity, or another financing mechanism. In this situation, grant funds will be released once the project is completed per the contracted scope of work.

*If a proposed project has not yet developed cost estimates or identified sources of funding, please provide as much detail as possible at this stage.

*A project may include the cost of acquisition in the project budget, but the acquisition must be covered by another funding source, as DRI funds cannot be used to acquire property.

DOWNLOAD THE PRELIMINARY FUNDING ESTIMATE TEMPLATE

Additional Information

The following documents may be provided, if you have them readily available. Inclusion of the documents help to demonstrate that your project is ready to be implemented in the short term and feasible. Please check the corresponding box to the supplemental information you are providing with this application.

This information can be submitted electronically or as a hard copy. Include the project title and project sponsor contact information on each page of supplemental information. If you are submitting supplemental information that is confidential, please label it as such.

Decarbonization (only applicable to new construction, building additions, and substantial rehabilitation)

Projects involving new construction, building additions, or renovations equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet may be subject to decarbonization compliance. More information on decarbonization criteria and requirements can be found in the DRI/NYF Guidebook. Please answer the following questions to help determine whether or not your project will require decarbonization.

Learn more about decarbonization on one of our upcoming webinars!

JUNE 25, 2025 | 2:00 PM

JULY 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM

 

Registration Link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/webappng/sites/meetny-gov/webinar/ webinarSeries/register/acb6cb929bc54899932f58308ec557af

Certifications

I hereby certify that the information provided in this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. In order to be considered for DRI funding, I understand that additional information may be requested about the project and may involve meeting(s) with the DRI consultant. I agree to provide the requested information in a timely manner in order for the LPC, consultant team, and State team to consider my project for funding.

I understand that submission of this form does not constitute an application for or guarantee of funding from New York State, that the information provided herein will be reviewed and considered by the DRI] Local Planning Committee for possible inclusion in the DRI Strategic Investment Plan. I further understand that inclusion in the DRI Strategic Investment Plan does not constitute a guarantee of funding from New York State, that all funding decisions will be made by New York State, and if funded I will comply with all State funding requirements.

Further, I hereby acknowledge that I have read the DRI project criteria and understand that any DRI funding provided for projects will made available on a reimbursement basis only after expenses are incurred or in some cases, after a project has been successfully completed in its entirety. I also understand that DRI funding will be subject to all applicable New York State requirements, including, but not limited to Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) utilization, competitive procurement for goods and services, and project status reporting.