It will take at least a year until Dunkirk’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects get shovels in the ground.

That’s according to city Planning and Development Director Vince DeJoy, who offered a look at the DRI process during this month’s Common Council meeting.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $10 million DRI award for Dunkirk last month. DeJoy said the award is only an opening step.

“So basically there’s a 10-step process, we’re at Step 3, governor announcing … assistance for planning and projects,” he said. “I just want to make it clear that the city does not receive a check for $10 million and then decide on how to spend it. It’s gonna be a process that will be established through consultants.”

DeJoy continued, “The state will… decide which planning and engineering firm will come to Dunkirk and basically take a very deep dive into the community — look at the projects, try to come up with a cohesive vision and strategy for revitalization. A local planning committee will be established to hear project proposals. That local planning committee will basically give recommendations for projects.”

DeJoy said a “Strategic Investment Plan” will get created in about six months. “Hopefully by the end of the year we should have a list of projects that will be funded and chosen for this.”

There will be a mix of municipal projects, such as work on city-owned properties like the Marina and Memorial Park, and private development opportunities.

“It’s gonna be a year process,” DeJoy concluded. “There will probably won’t be any projects that will even begin for another year.”