PEEKSKILL – New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley recently announced the completion of the Enlighten Peekskill art walk as part of Peekskill’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Illuminate Peekskill, Making Connections and the Five Arches Mural comprise the one-mile art walk from Metro North to downtown and its waterfront, featuring 12 murals and four sculptures by 46 artists.
“Public art has the power to transform spaces, celebrate local culture and create lasting connections between residents and visitors,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Through the DRI, New York is helping communities like Peekskill invest in projects that reflect their unique character and strengthen their sense of place. The completion of these public art installations enhances Peekskill’s vibrant arts scene, beautifies the downtown and helps create a more welcoming and dynamic destination for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”
Enlighten Peekskill received $500,000 from the DRI and is sponsored by Hudson Valley MOCA. It encompasses the Illuminate Peekskill installation, which features seven lighted sculptures that connect the train station to the downtown, aimed at encouraging more people to get off the train and visit. It also includes Making Connections, which uses 11 murals to create an engaging cultural and historic experience while connecting visitors and residents from the Peekskill waterfront to the downtown. Lastly, the installations include the Five Arches Mural on the five arches on the Route 9 overpass at South and Requa streets, which represents the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, metal and wood.
Peekskill was named the Mid-Hudson Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner for the fourth round in 2019. Other DRI winners in the region include Middletown, Kingston, New Rochelle, Haverstraw, Ossining, Port Jervis, White Plains and Poughkeepsie.
In addition to Enlighten Peekskill, the following projects are also funded by the DRI in Peekskill:
• Create a Downtown Civic Hub and Improve the Downtown Public Realm: Create the Peekskill Plaza on S. Division Street by converting two lanes to a pedestrian civic space, redesign Gazebo Plaza as the civic heart of Peekskill, improve streetscapes to enhance pedestrian safety and beautify downtown Peekskill.
• Improve Connections for Pedestrians and Cyclists between the Waterfront and Downtown: Strengthen the connection between the Waterfront and the Downtown Core by improving connectivity and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists on Railroad Avenue, S. Water Street, Central Avenue, and South Street. Components include bike lanes, curb extensions, crosswalks, bioswales, bike racks, LED info signage, street trees, and pedestrian signals.
• Revitalize the Paramount Theater and Develop Space for Peekskill Arts Center: Renovations to the building fac?ade and marquee, improved interior spaces for audience and artists, expanded hospitality programs, and upgraded equipment and utilities. Interior upgrades include lighting and sound equipment, stage rigging, accessible seating, flexible seating, and box office renovations.
• Reconstruct Fleischmann Pier and Improve Charles Point Park as a Premier Waterfront Destination (Complete): Reconstruction of Fleischmann Pier to create a new pier that will support tour boats. The project provided funding for a second phase improvement to include floating docks for smaller vessels and transient boaters, improvements to Charles Point Park, and expanded parking area building.
• Enhance Pugsley Park as a Downtown Attraction (Complete): Improvements to Pugsley Park include creation of new plazas and seating areas, pedestrian-scaled lighting; small-scale play equipment to attract children, trash cans, bike parking, plantings of trees, shrubs, and flowers, and infrastructure to support power hook-ups and watering.
Enhance Monument Park, a Gateway into Downtown Peekskill: Monument Park would be enhanced by lighting and maintenance improvements to improve the quality of the public space for daily use by residents. The project proposal seeks DRI funding for lighting, landscaping, and LED informational sign at the bus stop.
• Transform the Kiley Youth Center as a New Location of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester: Renovate the Kiley Youth Center as a new location for the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. Upgrades include interior/exterior improvements, utilities, and structural repairs providing offices, an art room, computer labs, and cafeteria.
• Create a Marketing and Branding Strategy with Wayfinding Signage: Develop a brand for Peekskill that describes the City’s history and culture, create a marketing strategy to communicate the City’s brand and attract new residents, businesses, and visitors, and implement components of the marketing strategy with wayfinding signage.
City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie said, “The completion of Enlighten Peekskill is a powerful reminder of how public art can bring people together, celebrate our community’s identity, and transform the way residents and visitors experience our city. From the illuminated sculptures connecting our Metro-North station to downtown, to the murals that showcase our history, culture, and creativity, this project reflects the vibrant artistic spirit that makes Peekskill so special. We are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, Secretary of State Walter Mosley, and our partners at Hudson Valley MOCA for recognizing the importance of investing in arts and culture as a catalyst for economic development and community pride. Enlighten Peekskill not only beautifies our city but also strengthens the connection between our downtown and waterfront, supporting local businesses and creating an even more welcoming destination for all who live, work, and visit here.”
