Rodriguez Joins Mayor Flowers for Tour of Parks, Waterfront and Downtown
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez today joined City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers and city leaders to discuss the city’s capital priorities and see firsthand the investments and redevelopment opportunities shaping Poughkeepsie’s continued revitalization.
The visit focused on the city’s efforts to strengthen neighborhoods, expand recreational and youth opportunities and build on recent public and private investment in its downtown and waterfront.
“Poughkeepsie has tremendous momentum, and the best way to understand where a community is headed is to get out and see it firsthand with the people leading that work,” DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said. “Mayor Flowers and her team have a clear vision for building stronger neighborhoods, creating opportunities for young people and continuing the revitalization of downtown. DASNY brings expertise in financing, construction and capital grants, and we want communities like Poughkeepsie to see us as a partner as they work to turn their priorities into projects.”
“The City of Poughkeepsie is entering an exciting new chapter,” said Mayor Flowers. “We are moving full speed ahead to revitalize our downtown, build much-needed housing, and create a vibrant community where our youth, families, and businesses can all thrive. I thank DASNY President and CEO Robert Rodriguez and his team for spending time with us to discuss our revitalization plans. We are grateful to our partners at DASNY and the State of New York for helping us turn our vision into real progress.”
Poughkeepsie’s revitalization efforts are supported by significant New York State investment. Governor Kathy Hochul awarded Poughkeepsie $10 million through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative in 2025. In May, the Governor announced 10 projects totaling $9.7 million to support new mixed-income and workforce housing, redevelop vacant and historic properties, improve Market Street, create new commercial space, invest in public art and activate the Poughkeepsie Train Station.
During the visit, Rodriguez and city leaders toured Pulaski Park, a major recreational hub serving Poughkeepsie’s Northside. The city recently completed an approximately $4 million redevelopment of the Pulaski Pool House, adding new changing facilities, community space and a splash pad. The park also includes a playground, basketball and soccer facilities and pickleball courts and is part of broader efforts to pair housing and neighborhood investment with improved recreational and community amenities.
The tour continued along the city’s southern waterfront and included the former Youth Opportunity Union site on Montgomery Street, where city leaders discussed opportunities for future redevelopment and youth and community space. Rodriguez and Flowers also visited Garden Street and Financial Plaza as the city considers opportunities to build on the investments already underway in its downtown core.
About DASNY
Founded in 1944, DASNY is New York State’s capital project development authority. It finances and constructs sustainable and resilient science, health and education institutions that help New York thrive. It is one of the largest issuers of tax-exempt bonds in the nation with an outstanding bond and notes portfolio of approximately $68.2 billion as of June 30, 2026. DASNY is also a prolific public builder with a construction pipeline of approximately 1,400 projects valued at more than $15 billion as of June 30, 2026.