PEEKSKILL, N.Y - The Peekskill Democratic ticket of Mayor Mary Foster, Deputy Mayor Don Bennett and city council candidate Kathie Talbot said Wednesday that the Monument Park neighborhood will be the central focus of their expanded downtown revitalization plan.
The plan focuses on the area in and around the intersections of North Division Street and Highland Avenue and calls for shifting heavy industry away from the neighborhood, promoting the rehabilitation of existing buildings, storefronts and parks and targeting increased law enforcement to the area.
When I grew up on Orchard Street, the Monument and Highland Avenue retail shops actively served the large surrounding neighborhoods, Talbot said. The area was safe and clean. We can bring this neighborhood back and improve the quality of life for all."
Democrats say close proximity to surrounding residential streets such as Orchard and Cortlandt provides potential for increased foot traffic in a revitalized Monument Park Neighborhood. Monument Park itself is currently being rehabilitated and enhanced with the help of a community development block grant.
Democrats also said they plan to invest in infrastructure upgrades to the storm water sewer system in and around Harrison Avenue. The storm water infrastructure there has aged and deteriorated without major repairs over the last two decades, resulting in excessive flooding.
Increased law enforcement in the neighborhood would be a central component of the Democrats revitalization efforts. Rigger noted that the intersections around Monument Park have seen their fair share of crime over the last two decades.
"We need to ensure that people feel safe in the neighborhood, day and night," said Rigger. "Well be pushing for increased law enforcement attention for this neighborhood that consists of foot patrols, a greater emphasis on nuisance crimes, and stepped up quality of life enforcement."
The Democrats are targeting federal funding opportunities for major improvements to Main Street streetscapes, sidewalks, and lighting, and offering local building owners access to a low-interest, revolving loan funds, they said.
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