Poughkeepsie State of the City highlights homelessness, development, public safety

On Tuesday evening at City Hall, City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers delivered her first State of the City Address.

She called for unity, saying that is the best way to move the City of Poughkeepsie forward, finding ways to work together to develop and foster a "thriving community."

Flowers has been mayor for three months now, and in her address focused on what her administration is doing to solve major issues the city is facing, while offering news of plans to revitalize infrastructure and parks, including the plans for the Ice House at Waryas Park.

Eradication of the deficit

"We have wiped out what once was a $13.2 million general fund deficit and now have developed an approximately $2 million fund balance — major accomplishments for the city," Flowers said.

The General Fund balance has not been positive since 2008, and the city has received positive outlooks from credit rating agencies for the first time in over a decade. The city was also reached "investment grade" status for the first time since 2016. Continued long-term improvements to the city's finances will help lower costs when borrowing for capital projects.

Flowers put emphasis on acquiring grants and competing for $30 million from sources like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to support improvements on city infrastructure and fund capital projects. The city also awaits decisions for an additional $10 million in funding from state and federal agencies. To help ensure this comes to fruition, a grant coordinator has been hired and new software has been implemented to coordinate grant applications across departments.

Housing initiatives and homelessness

Flowers said she "vows to push for more pathways to homeownership," as well as "increased availability of affordable rentals."

In light of accessibility challenges to affordable housing, the city has been designated one of New York's first "Pro-Housing Communities." This long-term strategy, presented by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, will give the City of Poughkeepsie priority access to state discretionary funding. Funding comes from a variety of state agencies and programs, totaling $650 million.

In addition, Flowers announced the creation of a Housing Task Force to focus on housing issues by bringing together tenants, landlords, developers, community housing partners, government officials and financial advisors.

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The Industrial Development Agency recently placed a moratorium on new Payment In Lieu of Taxes projects. This temporary stop was designed to allow for updates to the policy to include new housing opportunities, like moderate income and workforce housing. Flowers also noted a vacancy analysis the city has conducted, to assess whether there is a housing emergency in buildings built before 1974 that contain six or more units, and to help steady rental rates.

To relieve the growing homelessness population, proposals are being considered to create a new homeless shelter, and Flowers is working with Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and county staffers on other possible solutions.

However, "we need to get deeper into the root causes of homelessness," Flowers said. To increase comprehensive support services, a new outreach and resource center on Main Street is in the works with a partnership between the city and Hudson River Housing. A range of services such as rental assistance, mental health and substance abuse programs will be offered to those facing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Public safety and quality of life issues

"The Police Department is working to recruit officers to fill vacancies and must continue to work to bring more diversity to the police ranks through these hirings," Flowers said.

In addition to recruiting sworn officers from across the state, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is pursuing grant opportunities, including a $300,000 technology grant from the state, along with one to upgrade the city's street camera system. The department is also looking to the Gun Involved Violence Initiative, a grant for violence reduction strategies by focusing on identified offenders responsible for shootings and hotspots for gun violence.

Flowers also emphasized the Dutchess County’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program, an initiative to reduce the number of people who enter the justice system, by leading people affected by homelessness, substance abuse or mental health issues to treatment instead of incarceration.

"The program also can decrease racial disparities that have long been obvious in our criminal justice system," she said. "We need to nourish enlightened programs like LEAD."

More: Program piloted in City of Poughkeepsie aims to reduce arrests, mitigate crime

Poughkeepsie's new Downtown Business Improvement District

The Downtown Business Improvement District, or BID, is a geographic area including parts of Main Street and neighboring streets, with property owners in this area being charged a special assessment to enhance the business landscape. The initiative is intended to also attract new development and commercial tenants, as well as fostering unity between business owners in the area.

There are other BIDs in the state that have been successful, but Flowers noted, "the initiative would need the support of the property owners within the designated Business Improvement District, in addition to the Common Council."

Furthermore, the Main Street Façade Improvement Grant Program is being reimplemented to revamp properties in the BID.

"We won't turn our backs on Main Street," Flowers said. "We will embrace the challenges, in recognition that Main Street is still the backbone of the city, that it merits much attention, and that it must be strengthened."

More: Rockland County developer invests over $10 million in Poughkeepsie: What's planned

Plans for the Ice House, other sites revealed

In another development update, Flowers said the city is moving forward on a contract with Melanie Lemieux, owner and co-founder of ESS Hospitality, to create a gastropub at the Ice House at Waryas Park.

Lemieux will create The Governess, featuring a variety of American cuisine, and will connect the restaurant to waterfront events. ESS has two other locations in Queens: The Baroness and The Huntress.

Additionally, Flowers notes the last parcel of undeveloped acres along the waterfront, the DeLaval site, will see a request for proposals later this year. Uses may include water-related recreational activities, an amphitheater, restaurants, stores and docks. A request for proposals will also be put out for an operator at the former Benny’s Tenth Inning Pizza, in the parking lot at Stitzel Field.

"I am calling for unity within the community to move our city forward and develop our city in smart ways, while holding close lasting values that make this city a great place to live and work," Flowers said.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie State of the City: Here are the 5 key takeaways