The $1 billion Kensington Expressway project has drawn most of the recent attention, but the level of government, private and philanthropic investment on the East Side is the most in decades.
Public money is flowing into projects that include significant improvements at historic anchors, more workforce training and small-business development – and private companies are paying attention.
The decision comes amid mounting opposition to the project – and few signs of community support at state and community meetings, as well as among public comments received for the project – a state Department of Transportation-led effort that calls for a tunnel between Dodge and Sidney streets.
“We are seeing opportunities with the amount of state and city investments coming in,” said Kevin Dagher, CEO of Cedarland Development Group, which has several apartment projects on the East Side. “That is the key economic driver.”
State officials say projects funded with $225 million announced in 2022 by Gov. Kathy Hochul continue a step-by-step approach that began three years earlier.
An additional $50 million was announced to aid struggling East Side homeowners after the mass shooting at Tops in May 2022.
Developers, meanwhile, are finding plentiful opportunities to…
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