BURNT HILLS FORWARD

The Town of Ballston will be applying for the NY Forward state program that could potentially bring $4.5 million of investment in the hamlet of Burnt Hills.

THE NY FORWARD PROGRAM

The NY Forward program builds on the success of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) that brought millions of private and public investment and matching state funding to downtowns across NY since 2016. The types of projects that are eligible for NY Forward funding range from renovation and activation of existing underutilized buildings to streetscape improvements and enhanced pedestrian connections. A key component of the NY Forward is to fund shovel-ready, transformational projects that have the potential to create community benefits through commercial revitalization.

The Town of Ballston seeks to develop a strong application for the second round of the NY Forward, due in September 2023. The target area will be the downtown Burnt Hills commercial corridors, as illustrated in the map below.

THE BURNT HILLS FORWARD COMMITTEE

The Town created a Burnt Hills Forward Committee to accomplish this task, The Committee is made up of education and business leaders, community advocates, and government staff -- all members of the community who volunteered to give their best effort to craft a NY Forward application that could provide an incredible boost to our community and commercial activities. The Town also retained a consultant to assist with the effort. 

BURNT HILLS FORWARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Eric Connolly - Town Supervisor
Kelly Jasinski - Town Councilwoman
Cindy Turgeon - Cupola Café
Charlie Morris -  Morris Ford and BHBLBPA
Chris Newell - Newell Family Insurance and BHBLBPA
Rebecca Darling - Town of Ballston Library
Dacey Bonney - BHBL CSD & BHBLBPA
Darlene Bower - Realtor & BHBL Rotary member
Kurt Bedore - KB Engineering
Mary Beth Walsh - NYS Assemblywoman
Mike Brewster - Gil's Garage
Patrick Whitton - Town ZBA member, Parks Committee member
Peter R. Sawyer - HVCC professor & BHBL Rotary member
Patrick McGrath - BHBL CSD Superintendent
Rick Reynolds - Town Historian
Steve Walsh - Upstate Detailing Inc.

PUBLIC INPUT

We need your help to develop the strongest possible application! Engaging the community is critical to understand what projects and improvements are the most important for Burnt Hills residents and businesses. There will be multiple opportunities to provide public input that informs the application. Public events will be posted on Burnt Hills Forward social media platforms as well as on this dedicated webpage. 

Below there are some ways you can contribute to this effort, and some upcoming events:

• Do you own a property within the target area and would like to discuss some projects you have in mind that involve community benefits? Contact the Burnt Hills Forward Committee at BurntHillsForward@townofballstonny.org to start a conversation.
• An in-person Public Workshop will be held to gather feedback, comments, and further ideas from the community that could be incorporated into the application. We look forward to seeing you!
  • Date:  Thursday, April 20, 2023
  • Time:  6:30 - 8:30 PM
  • Location:  Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School - Upper Cafeteria, 88 Lake Hill Road, Burnt Hills, NY 12027
  • Click HERE to view the event flyer
    
• Send your questions and input to the Committee at BurntHillsForward@townofballstonny.org.
• Take the survey! The survey will help establish community priorities and goals for the Burnt Hills Forward application. It only takes 5 minutes. Thanks for participating!