ALBANY - Governor David Paterson Friday announced the award of $24.9 million in grants from the State Environmental Protection Fund’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for 97 projects across New York State. These awards cover a variety of planning, design and construction projects that focus on economic, community, environmental and recreational improvements, reinforcing Governor Paterson’s commitment to revitalizing communities and enhancing the environment. Grants were given to projects in every region of the State. On Long Island and the Westchester County shoreline of Long Island Sound there are 13 awards totaling $2.3 million. These awards advance community revitalization and environmental and recreational improvements.

New York City received 10 awards totaling $8.4 million aimed at improving urban neighborhoods by connecting them to the City’s last great open space – its waterfront. The New York City Economic Development Corporation received a $3.2 million grant to work with the Randall's Island Sports Foundation to complete the Randall's Island Park-Bronx Shore Pathway, and $3 million to reconfigure Food Center Drive on Hunts Point to provide a landscaped bike lane as part of the South Bronx Greenway.

In the Hudson Valley there are 10 awards totaling $4.4 million to improve waterfront public access. The Village of Tarrytown received a $2.4 million grant for promenade construction, installation of a kayak launch and refurbishment of the fishing pier at Pierson Park. An award of $642,500 will enable the City of Rensselaer to advance designs for an 11,000 linear foot public access trail along the Hudson River. These two projects are part of the dozens of Legacy Projects expected to be announced over the next two years as part of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission’s activities.

There are also 64 awards totaling $9.9 million for projects across Upstate New York.