Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click on any question that interests you below to view the answer.
The New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) provides competitive grant funding awards for one or two municipalities in each region of the state annually in order to support and strengthen the economic resilience of NY downtowns. The DRI uses a comprehensive approach to boosting local economies by leveraging and transforming communities into vibrant neighborhoods where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise a family. We need your help making the case that the Village of Hempstead’s downtown is a great place and that we are working together to:
• Revitalize our downtown.
• Enhance its infrastructure and economic base.
• Aid development that benefits everyone.

This DRI provides a comprehensive approach to improving the physical, social, environmental, and economic climate of participating communities.  The Village of Hempstead has a compact, walkable downtown with a vibrant and diverse mix of commercial and residential uses, and which generates extensive economic output and job opportunities. Both the State and Village recognize that downtown revitalization is a key ingredient to rebuilding the economy and buffering the economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, action to achieve a compact, walkable Village of Hempstead downtown can help in achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit.

The following documents describe the NYS 2021 Round 5 Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Click on either to view the PDF.

DRI Descriptive Overview

DRI and New York Forward Webinar

The DRI is an initiative of the Village of Hempstead and is being led by a Steering Committee comprised of elected and appointed officials, the Community Development Agency, as well as members of the community that include residents, business owners, non-profit leaders, and others. 

Your Questions & Comments

Your input is important to us and to our community. Please use the form below to submit your questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the Village of Hempstead Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

If you ask a question, the reply will be posted on this page within 5 business days (without your name). Please check back.

Village of Hempstead Community Questions

Responses to questions submitted by members of the Village of Hempstead community are provided below.  Please click on any question that interests you to view the answer. If you’d like to submit a question, please use the question form provided on this page.

We are seeking input from community members on what investments and planning initiatives you’d like to see in the Village of Hempstead’s downtown so that YOUR quality of life is improved and supported. Are there particular properties you are focused on? For example, are there spots you are concerned about (appearance or vacancy)? Would you like to see a particular location enhanced to aid downtown livability? Is there an investment in downtown infrastructure or planning that you’d like to see that may provide good opportunities for business development, civic facilities, or housing? Please use the form on this page to submit your ideas and/or join us for the Public Visioning Workshop. We want to hear from you.

Even before COVID-19 impacted our lives, many Long Island downtowns, including our own, were struggling with storefront vacancies and competition from e-commerce. This Main Street planning process can identify specific strategies to support small downtown businesses and identify additional businesses suited to the community that may improve employment opportunities.

Updated August 17, 2022