The Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corp. is pleased to share recent progress on two key Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) programs: the Building Upgrade Fund and Light Up Chinatown.

Building Upgrade Fund

On April 30, 2026, CPLDC successfully convened the inaugural Community Advisory Board Meeting, marking an important milestone in the development of the Building Upgrade Fund program. The meeting initiated collaborative discussions that will help guide program implementation and community engagement efforts moving forward.

In addition, the project team is currently working closely with a website designer to finalize the program’s online platform. The Building Upgrade Fund website, which will include program details and application information, is anticipated to launch by the end of May 2026.

Light Up Chinatown

On April 27, 2026, CPLDC released an open Request for Proposals (RFP) for Design and Engineering services through the New York State Contract Reporter as part of the Light Up Chinatown initiative.

The RFP will remain open through May 22, 2026. Qualified vendors and firms are strongly encouraged to submit proposals for consideration. Please check out the RFP on our website: https://chinatown.nyc/request-for-proposal-for-light-up-chinatown/

Upcoming Activities in May

Key activities planned for the coming month include:

• Launching the Building Upgrade Fund website and application information portal;
• Collaborating with Community Advisory Board members to develop a comprehensive community outreach and public engagement strategy; and
• Beginning interviews with Design and Engineering candidates for the Light Up Chinatown project by the end of May.
• CPLDC looks forward to continuing this important work in partnership with the community, local stakeholders, and project partners. Additional updates will be shared as these initiatives continue to advance.

For inquiries or opportunities to get involved, please contact: info@chinatownpartnership.org.