Schenectady DRI Local Planning Committee Meeting · 17.12.2019 · Mohawk Harbor • Utilize...
Transcript of Schenectady DRI Local Planning Committee Meeting · 17.12.2019 · Mohawk Harbor • Utilize...
Schenectady DRILocal Planning Committee Meeting
December 17, 2019Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative
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Meeting Agenda
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Welcome
Introductions
DRI Overview
Schenectady Study Area Overview
Committee Discussion
Next Steps
Public Comment
6 Code of Conduct/Conflict of Interest
Local Planning Committee Members
LPC Members
Philip Morris Proctors
Ray Gillen Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority
David Harris Union College
Steady Moono SUNY Schenectady
Jim Salengo Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp
Robert Leonard Trustco
Stacey Rowland Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady
Mark Eagan Capital Region Chamber
Mary Ann Ruscitto East Front Street Neighborhood Association
Maria Perreca Papa Little Italy Neighborhood
Mary D’Alessandro Stockade Neighborhood
Mitchell Ramsey Jay Street
Mike Saccocio City Mission of Schenectady
Marcy Steiner The Foundation for Ellis Medicine
Mayor Gary McCarthyCity of SchenectadyCO-CHAIR
David BuickoThe Galesi GroupCO-CHAIR
Local Planning Committee
Roles & Responsibilities• Confirm the vision and goals for downtown revitalization• Brainstorm ideas and provide direction to consultant
team at LPC meetings• Help implement public engagement outreach• Identify and prioritize projects for the plan• Make project funding recommendations• Review draft DRI documents
State Agency Team
Roles & Responsibilities• Help LPC through planning process • Ensure Consultants and LPC meetings
accomplish critical tasks • Ensure program documents meet state
and local goals• Facilitate assistance from other State
agencies
Dave AshtonDepartment of State
Crystal LofflerHomes and Community Renewal
Mike YevoliEmpire State Development
Jeff QuainGovernor’s Office
Consultant Team // Stantec’s Urban Places
Planning & Urban Design
Mobility
Complete Streets
Engineering
Graphics
DRI Round 1: Oswego, Elmira, Oneonta
DRI Round 2: Hudson
DRI Round 3: Albany
Consultant Team
W-ZHA • Economic Assessment• Financial Implementation
Streetsense• Urban Retail Strategies
Zimmerman Volk Associates• Housing Market Analysis
Marc Norman• Affordable
Housing Finance
Consultant Team
Karp Strategies • Economic &
Workforce Strategies
EDR• Zoning• Historic Preservation• Graphics
Middleton Construction• Cost Estimates
Roles & Responsibilities: Consultant Team
• Prepare for & staff LPC meetings • Prepare for & lead public outreach
events• Research & study issues• Help identify projects & prepare
project profiles and analyses that demonstrates feasibility and impact of projects
• Prepare program documents with input from LPC & State Planners
DRI Overview
Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)
• $100 Million State investment in 10 downtown neighborhoods nominated by REDCs
• Strategic Investment Plans will identify projects funded through the DRI, and ones funded by other public & private resources
Cahill Landing, Oswego DRIHistoric renovation to create 7 riverfront apartments;
Fall 2018 completion
Build on a Successful DRI Application
• Robust public participation to identify priority projects.
• Emphasize capital projects such as public infrastructure or private development.
• Identify strategic matching grant/revolving loan funds to support capital projects.
• Favor projects that leverage additional public and private funds.
• Develop metrics to demonstrate ability to kick-start economic development.
GoalsIdentify conceptual ideas that DRI Plan
should address.
Priority Projects are organized by Goal
to ensure that the DRI Plan addresses core
objectives.
StrategiesSpecific outcomes
that the DRI Plan should achieve.
Strategies can be used to develop
metrics to track the impact of Priority
Projects.
Visions, Goals & Strategies
Downtown VisionGuiding framework for the DRI Strategic
Investment Plan.
Key Ingredients of a DRI Plan
• A clear vision for the downtown.
• Goals and strategies to accomplish the vision.
• An action plan with a timeline for projects, initiatives, and actions.
• A strategic investment plan with catalytic projects to implement the plan.
DRI Strategic Investment Plan Components
1. DRI Area Boundaries2. Downtown Profile and
Assessment3. Vision, Goals, and Strategies4. Downtown Management and
Implementation Strategy5. Projects6. Implementation
Not eligible for DRI: • Planning activities
• Operation and maintenance (include staffing, utilities, rent, etc.)
• Pre-award costs
• Property acquisition
• Training and other continuing expenses
• Expenses related to existing programs
Project Types
1. Public Improvements
2. New Development or Rehabilitation of Existing Structures
3. Revolving Loan and Grant Funds
4. Branding and Marketing
Timeline
NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR
Community Engagement
Downtown Profile & Assessment
Downtown Vision, Goals & Strategies
Priority Project ProfilesDowntown Management & ImplementationDRI Strategic Investment Plan
DRI Final Plan 24-Apr
TASK 2019 2020
Public Engagement
• Build on previous community outreach
• Seek input from key individuals, organizations, and entities
• Use variety of methods (e.g., public meetings, workshops, websites, social media)
• Create work groups (if desired) • Develop a public engagement
strategy
Public Engagement Plan
• Public workshop format ideas
• Outreach to community stakeholders
• Online Engagement
• Locally specific outreach strategies
First Public Engagement Event: January 16th
Schenectady DRI Overview & Background
Past Investments, Future Potential
Current• 1.5 million
people/year attending events: #1 Destination in the Capital Region
Future• $128 million of
proposed development to be leveraged
• 15 potential projects already identified
• Potential for hundreds of construction jobs
How We Got Here: Robust Planning
Application Built On:
• Regional Economic Development Strategies
• Comprehensive Plan
• Local Neighborhood Plans
• Tactical Downtown Plan
• Detailed Sector-Specific Market Studies
• Hundreds of Participating Stakeholders
How We Got Here: Strong Foundation of Community Engagement
Public Has Weighed in Directly on:
Vision
Guiding Principles
Development Priorities
Strengths of Schenectady Study Area
• Strong, well developed economic, recreational, and cultural hubs throughout the area
• Potential to build on and increase public and private investment
• Measurable recent and impending job growth
• Characteristics that, once enhanced, increase livability
• Local policies that advance revitalization
• Strong, demonstrated community support
Schenectady DRI Priorities
• Increase linkage opportunities throughout the area to connect Lower State, Proctors, and Mohawk Harbor.
• Develop both the downtown and harbor region into a 24/7 destination
• Celebrate historic and cultural richness through projects like the ALCO Heritage Trail
• Continue to initiate new investment and projects
• Diversify economic capacity and opportunities throughout the downtown
Initial Project Ideas: Public Improvements
Erie Boulevard• Streetscape improvements• Lighting of Amtrak bridge to
show connection from downtown
• Façade improvement through matching grant program
Initial Project Ideas: Public Improvements
The Jay Connector• A proposed road
connection that would extend Jay Street to Nott Street to connect the downtown and the harbor.
• Will connect various sites including Little Italy, Union College, and the Golub Corporation.
Initial Project Ideas: Public Improvements
ALCO Tunnel Trail• A previously existing
connection between Jay St and Erie Boulevard. Has the potential to connect areas for both residents and visitors
• Estimated cost of $350,000• Reclaimed land with the
potential for new bike paths, roads, and footpaths
Initial Project Ideas: New Development
Mohawk Harbor• Utilize existing momentum
within area to develop new visitor attractions, new entertainment development, and a public access dock
• Approx. 100,000 sqft of retail/ entertainment space and 600 foot dock to connect community to river
Initial Project Ideas: New Redevelopment
Vacant Buildings• Redevelop multiple vacant
and underutilized sites within the DRI study area to improve the area.
• Sites include the former Coyne Textile building, the former Pentagon Restaurant/ Sears building, and more
Initial Project Ideas: Branding and Marketing
Improved Signage and Wayfinding• Improve signage between
Downtown and the Harbor in order to guide visitors to major destinations within the area.
• Many opportunities to incorporate important historical elements into the signage.
Committee Discussion
• Confirm DRI Boundary
• Review and discuss Vision and Goals
• Identification of opportunities and issues
• Call for additional proposals / Project Profile Form
DRI Boundary
West: Broadway/ Jay St
East: Lafayette St
North: The Mohawk River South: Smith St
Boundary lines include both sides of the street as shown
The City of Schenectady—already a center for culture, education, commerce, and recreation—is entering the next chapter of our ongoing comeback story. In the next phase we will continue to diversify our job base; increase a full range of quality housing options; celebrate and preserve our historic resources; and make the Mohawk River fully accessible to all; Our DRI will connect our rebounding downtown with our new waterfront to create a dynamic 24/7 destination for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Vision (Draft)
• Increase linkage opportunities to connect Lower State, Proctors, and Mohawk Harbor
• Become a City with a firmly established 24/7 downtown environment
• Diversify our economy and job base
• Build on and celebrate our historic and cultural richness
• Expand access to our green- and blue-ways
• Make sure Downtown and the Waterfront are attractive and a source of pride to ALL residents
Goals (Draft)
Strengths of Schenectady Study Area
• Strong, well developed economic, recreational, and cultural hubs throughout the area
• Potential to build on and increase public and private investment
• Measurable recent and impending job growth
• Characteristics that, once enhanced, increase livability
• Local policies that advance revitalization
• Strong, demonstrated community support
Project Profile Form
• To be completed by project sponsor
• Must be able to demonstrate ability to implement
• Tentative Due Date: 1/17/2020
Code of Conduct
• Members of the DRI Local Planning Committee must always serve and act in the public interest, regardless of their affiliation with, or relationship to, any business, municipality, not-for-profit, agency, program, entity, or interest group.
• Code of Conduct addresses potential conflicts of interest of between Local Planning Committee members and their interests that do not serve the public.
• All Members must read and sign the Code of Conduct.
Members should use the Code of Conduct to guide service and actions while on the Local Planning Committee• Remember DAD: Disclose conflicts of interest Act in the public interest Disqualify if necessary
Code of Conduct
• A Member shall exercise his or her duties and responsibilities for the primary benefit of the public and in such a manner where any benefit to the Member, or a Family Member or Relative of the Member, is incidental only.
• For purposes of this Code of Conduct, a conflict of interest arises if such an exercise results in any benefit to the Member, or a Family Member or Relative of the Member, that is more than incidental.
• A conflict of interest may occur when the personal interests, financial or otherwise, of a member has the potential to interfere with, or appear to interfere with, the member’s independent advice.
Conflict of Interest
• Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed at the earliest possible time, which should be prior to the meeting in which the matter will be discussed or as soon as the conflict is noted.
• Even an appearance of impropriety or an appearance of improper conduct should be avoided.
• If unsure of conflict, please request an opinion from NYS DOS Ethics Counsel.
Disclosure
• A member may not vote, or attempt to influence a discussion or vote, where potential conflict exists.
• Members may provide factual information in a public forum about a project from which they have recused.
Recusal
• Members must identify a potential conflict at the first meeting in which the matter giving rise to the conflict is discussed.
• A list of recusals together with the recusal form completed by each recused Member will be maintained for each project for the duration of the DRI planning process.
• The recusal list will be updated at each meeting.• The LPC co-chairs will remind members of their obligation to recuse at
each meeting of the committee.
Documenting Conflicts
• Unwarranted Privileges: No Member should use or attempt to use his or her position as a Member to secure unwarranted privileges or exemption(s) for him or herself or others.
• Confidential Information: No Member should disclose confidential information acquired by him or her in the course of his or her duties as a Member or by reason of his or her position as a Member or use such information to further his or her personal interest(s).
Acting in the Public Interest
Next Steps
• Set dates for upcoming committee meetings and public workshops
• Issue Call for Projects Form• Finalize Community Engagement Plan• Confirm Vision, establish Goals and Strategies
Key Dates
• LPC Kickoff Meeting: 12/17
• Stakeholder Interviews: 1/10
• LPC Meeting #2: 1/9
• Public Kickoff Event: 1/16
• Public Meeting #2: 2/20
• LPC Meeting #3: 2/13
• LPC Meeting #4: 3/12
• Public Meeting #3: 3/19
• LPC Meeting #5: TBD
• Draft Downtown Profile: 1/15• Final DRI Area Goals: 1/31• Preliminary Project List: 2/21 • Final Downtown Profile: 2/21• Final Strategies: 3/6 • Draft Project Profiles: 3/10• Final Project Profiles: 3/20• Draft Plan: 3/31• Final Plan: 4/24• Edits Complete: 5/22
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Public Comment
Public Comment
Visit Schenectadydri.com to enter your priorities or ideas for this process