New York Republican Senate and Assembly Conferences oppose ‘REVIVE Act’

ALBANY, NY- The New York Senate and Assembly Minority Republican Conferences are speaking out against a bill that is aimed to speed up the conversion of vacant commercial properties into housing.

Known as the Redeveloping Empty and Vacant Infrastructure for Vibrant Economies (REVIVE) Act, advocates for this proposed measure say this will streamline and accelerate the process of utilizing empty retail, office or parking lots by using them for housing, which has been a key focal point for Governor Hochul and her administration.

However, Republican figures in the Senate and Assembly Minority Conferences say this bill, if enacted, would serve as an overreach against local governments.

According to various sources, Republican lawmakers claim the REVIVE Act would allow the state to override local zoning laws and force communities to host high-density housing or mixed-use developments despite opposition from locally elected officials and residents who best understand their community’s needs.

Figures who represent Upstate New York have declared that relinquishing local authority would set a dangerous precedent for other statewide policies.

Meanwhile while recently touring the cities of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, NY, Governor Hochul is advocating for cutting red tape to speed up the construction of housing and critical infrastructure, while also preserving environmental safeguards.

According to Governor Hochul, red tape slows down and increases the cost of critical housing and infrastructure projects across New York. The only solution to high costs and scarce homes is to build more housing, she declared.

New York State Capitol image.