Full Text
ALBANY 2030 The City of Albany Comprehensive Plan Executive Summary ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- THE VISION OF ALBANY IN 2030 Albany in 2030 has built on its history and diverse natural, cultural, institutional, and human resources to become a global model for sustainable revitalization and urban liv ability. The city promotes a balanced approach to economic opportunity, social equity, and environmental quality that is locally driven, encourages citizen involvement and in vestment, and benefits all residents. THE VISION COMPONENTS 1. Safe, Livable Neighborhoods Every neighborhood in Albany is a desirable place to live because of its walkable streets, historic architecture, range of housing choices, mixed-use neighborhood centers, qual ity schools, parks and recreation facilities, and easy access to Downtown Albany and other job centers. 2. Model Educational System Albany nurtures its most valuable resources, its children, by promoting excellence in education at all levels. The City’s institutions of higher education are valued resources and partners in initiatives to expand economic opportunities, enhance work force skills, and promote lifelong learning. 3. Vibrant Urban Center As the capital of New York and a destination for work, play, and tourism, Albany is the region’s primary center of government, education, health care, employment, and the arts. Downtown Albany is a vibrant mix of business, residential, educational, cultural, and entertainment uses connected to the Hudson River waterfront. 4. Multi-Modal Transportation Hub Albany’s neighborhoods and centers are connected to each other and to the rest of the region by an extensive, efficient, and safe network of complete streets, mass transit, bikeways, trails, and sidewalks. 5. Green City Albany is a model of community health and sustainability in its planning, restorative de velopment, and conservation of energy, water, and natural resources. 6. Prosperous Economy The city is a pillar of the regional and global economies, providing good employment opportunities for all residents with a focus on green jobs and technology. ---PAGE BREAK--- Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary Albany 2030 Acknowledgements This document was prepared for The City of Albany with funding from the following sources: New York State Department of State Brownfield Opportunitiy Areas Program New York State Department of State Quality Communities Program New York State Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Capitalize Albany Corporation Hudson River Greenway U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant This document was prepared for The City of Albany with assistance from the following individuals: Mayor Gerald D. Jennings 2011 City of Albany Common Council: Carolyn McLaughlin, President Daniel Herring Ronald E. Bailey Joseph Igoe Dominick Calsolaro Anton Konev Frank Commisso, Jr. Michael O’Brien Richard Conti John Rosenzweig Catherine M. Fahey James P. Sano Lester Freeman Barbara Smith Leah Golby ---PAGE BREAK--- Albany 2030 Board: Hon. Daniel Herring, Chair Carolyn McLaughlin Michael J. Yevoli, Vice Chair Herbert McLaughlin Faye Andrews Louise McNeilly Matt Baumgartner Jeff Mirel Samantha Bosshart Sandra Misiewicz Kathleen Cloutier Dennis Mosley Nick D’Antonio Brenda Motley Elizabeth Doran John Rosenzweig Catherine M. Fahey James P. Sano Maxine Fantroy-Ford Robert Schofield Jeff Gritsavage Gene Solan Ryan Hancox Joseph Stellato Chris Hawver Karen Strong Helen Klaeysen Scott Townsend Chief Stephen Krokoff Arlene Way ---PAGE BREAK--- Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary Community Advisory Committee on Sustainability: Bill Bruce Richard Lyons John Bryant Mary Ellen Mallia Yusuf Burgess Sue Nealon Eric Dahl David Riposo Laura DeGaetano Seth Rosenblum Lisa Good Patricia Salkin Michael Hartman Robert Schofield Stephen Iachetta Pete Sheehan Mike Jacobson Jodi Smits Anderson Shridhar Karve Brian Steinmuller Scott Kellogg Carrie Ward Mark Lowery City of Albany Planning Staff: Michael J. Yevoli, Commissioner Brad Glass, Senior Planner Douglas Melnick, AICP, Director Mary Millus, Senior Planner Sarah Reginelli, Principal Planner Rich Nicholson, Senior Planner Kathleen Bronson, Senior Planner Consultant Teams: • Albany 2030 o Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) o PlaceMatters. o Eng-Wong, Taub & Associates o Economic Stewardship, Inc. • Climate Action & Adaptation Plan o Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Albany Leadership Team Faye Andrews Steve Longo Michael Barber Elizabeth Lyons Sue Cleary John Marsolais Robert Cross Keith McDonald Megan Daly Doug Melnick John D’Antonio Luis Perez Nick D’Antonio John Reilly Nick Dilello Deirdre Rudolph William Ferber Jerry Spicer Chief Robert Forezzi Bob Van Amburgh Richard Hendrick Tara Wells Denise Kelly Mike Yevoli Chief Stephen Krokoff Thank you to the Capital District Regional Planning Commission for their gener ous assistance with the creation of the Albany 2030 Data Book. Thank you to the Albany School District, the Albany Public Libraries, The College of Saint Rose, and Bishop Maginn High School for the use of their facilities and assistance from their excellent technical and maintenance staff for the Albany 2030 public forums. The City of Albany and the Albany 2030 team are especially grateful for the many com munity stakeholders, neighborhood groups, civic organizations, public agencies and businesses who contributed their ideas, opinions and resources to help make the Albany 2030 process and plan successful. ---PAGE BREAK--- Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Vision Statement 5 3.0 Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan Systems 7 4.0 Plan Implementation 30 Tables Systems Interrelationships Matrix 13 Implementation Projects 31 ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary CHAPTER 1.0 ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 1.0 Introduction The City of Albany has chosen a key juncture in its 400-year history to prepare its first ever comprehensive plan - Albany 2030 - given the accelerating rate of transition and change in the 21st century. Looking forward 20 years and beyond, the plan provides the opportunity to set a new direction for a sustainable adn prosperous future for Albany. Prior to initiation of the process, a Comprehensive Plan Board consisting of citizens, de partment heads, business owners and stakeholders was appointed by Common Council to provide direction for development of the plan. The process consisted of two stages, 1) Community Assessment and Visioning and 2) Comprehensive Plan Development. The Community Assessment and Visioning phase began with a great deal of research and analysis on facts, figures and trends that informed and shaped the comprehensive plan. However, the visioning process was primarily shaped by extensive public input. The Albany 2030 outreach process involved a variety of techniques designed to solicit ideas and aspirations for Albany’s future while keeping the process transparent, inclu sive, accessible, and fun. PUBLIC OUTREACH • Branding and Promotion: logo design, fliers and posters, interactive website, com munity presentations, Listserv announcements, Public Service Announcements, etc. • Community Forums: three community forum series to provide the opportunity for Albany’s citizens to openly discuss their concerns, values and aspirations, and pri orities for Albany’s future. • Interactive Website and Social Media: comprehensive resource for outreach, feed back, and information sharing. • Stakeholder Roundtables: over 100 community representatives and experts partici pated in discussions to set the project on the right course. • Micro-meetings: scaled-down versions of the Community Forums, were conducted by the City and consultant team to reach targeted groups who have limited access to centralized public meetings. • Speed Planning: based on the “speed dating” concept, allowed participants to have conversations at tables on various topics for about 10 minutes, then move on to the next table. • Stoop Surveys: involved walking around underrepresented neighborhoods with pa per surveys with a modified version of some of the Community Forum questions; Comprehensive Plan Board members surveyed citizens that they encountered on their front stoops or on the sidewalk and used the quick, five minute informal survey. Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation View of Downtown Albany from the north. Principles of the Albany 2030 Public Participation Plan • Open to All • Community Engagement • Transparency • Enthusiastic & Vibrant • Engaging Underrepresented Groups • Fun ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary • Walk-Shops: used to show how a plan progresses to implementation and to ask participants to submit ideal/not-ideal examples of priorities/projects highlighted in the Plan; YouTube is used to post the Albany 2030 walk-shop routes. • Community Drop-Ins: on-site opportunities at community hubs like grocery stores, libraries, bus stops, etc. to provide input on sections of the Plan. • Online Surveys: additional online surveys posted on the Albany 2030 web site to provide a platform for plan reaction and feedback. • Community Group Meetings: participation in neighborhood meetings to gain feedback on the comprehensive plan. • Final Town Hall Forum: final centralized public meeting for input on the full comprehensive plan. The second phase in the planning process, development of the full compre hensive plan, uses a systems approach to develop the overarching direction set by citizens (expressed in the Vision Statement) into strategies and actions for eight plan systems (Chapter 3) and priorities for implementation (Chapter This Executive Summary is meant to guide the reader through the plan, which covers a wide range of issues, including land use and urban design, historic preservation, education, social services, community health, economic develop ment, multi-modal transportation, natural resource preservation, housing and neighborhoods, public utilities, stormwater management, and institutional re lationships. SYSTEMS APPROACH The systems approach for the Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan begins with three guiding concepts: • The City of Albany is a system that operates within a hierarchy of systems at larger (region, state, national, globe) and smaller (neighborhood, site) scales. • The components of the Comprehensive Plan are interdependent systems that are defined by their functions, comprised of related and interact at different scales, influencing how Albany performs as a system. • Plan strategies, actions, and implementation projects should be designed to optimize and align the performance of the systems in achieving the Al bany 2030 Vision. A system is a set of elements or parts that is coherently organized and interconnected in a pattern or structure that produces a characteristic set of behaviors, often referred to as its “function” or “purpose.” Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems: A Primer ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Five system principles were developed to inform development of the full Comprehensive Plan in Stage Two of the planning process. These principles are: 1. Target interconnections (overlaps and leverage points) between components to influence system behavior in the desired direction. 2. Build feedback loops that generate momentum for positive change. 3. Increase system resilience. 4. Create synergies between different levels of the system hierarchy. 5. Use an adaptive management process to implement the Comprehensive Plan. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANNING INITIATIVES Development of the comprehensive plan has been directly coordinated with two concur rent planning initiatives by the City of Albany: • Brownfield Opportunity Areas Pre-Nomination Study: designed to help communities foster redevelopment by returning dormant and blighted land into productive and catalytic uses while restoring environmental quality. • Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: coordinated actions to mitigate Albany’s effects on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in municipal government operations and the City as a whole; and strategies to adapt to the anticipated effects of climate change, including increased average temperatures, precipitation, and frequency and severity of storms. Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation Leverage Point – a place where intervention can most effectively bring about change throughout the system, i.e., a strategy or action which promotes the highest level of systemic change. ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2.0 ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 2.0 Vision Statement The Vision Statement defines the place that citizens want Albany to be in the future. It provides the mandate for action to implement the Comprehensive Plan, guidance for planning decisions, and the overall benchmark against which implementation progress will be measured. The Vision Statement directly reflects extensive public input re ceived during Stage One (Community Assessment and Visioning) of the planning process. 2.1 THE VISION OF ALBANY IN 2030 Albany in 2030 has built on its history and diverse natural, cultural, institutional, and human resources to become a global model for sustainable revitalization and urban livability. The city promotes a balanced approach to economic opportunity, social equity, and environ mental quality that is locally driven, encourages citizen involvement and investment, and benefits all residents. 2.2 THE VISION COMPONENTS 1. Safe, Livable Neighborhoods Every neighborhood in Albany is a desirable place to live because of its walkable streets, historic architecture, range of housing choices, mixed-use neighborhood centers, quality schools, parks and recreation facilities, and easy access to Downtown Albany and other job centers. 2. Model Educational System Albany nurtures its most valuable resources, its children, by promoting excellence in educa tion at all levels. The City’s institutions of higher education are valued resources and part ners in initiatives to expand economic opportunities, enhance work force skills, and promote lifelong learning. 3. Vibrant Urban Center As the capital of New York and a destination for work, play, and tourism, Albany is the region’s primary center of government, education, health care, employment, and the arts. Downtown Albany is a vibrant mix of business, residential, educational, cultural, and enter tainment uses connected to the Hudson River waterfront. 4. Multi-Modal Transportation Hub Albany’s neighborhoods and centers are connected to each other and to the rest of the re gion by an extensive, efficient, and safe network of complete streets, mass transit, bikeways, trails, and sidewalks. 5. Green City Albany is a model of community health and sustainability in its planning, restorative devel opment, and conservation of energy, water, and natural resources. 6. Prosperous Economy The city is a pillar of the regional and global economies, providing good employment op portunities for all residents with a focus on green jobs and technology. The majestic Hudson River and Dunn Memorial Bridge seen from Albany’s Riverfront Park. Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary CHAPTER 3.0 ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 3.0 Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan Systems The Sustainability Building Blocks tie together the comprehensive plan vision components into a series of eight interrelated systems with sustainability as an overarching direction: Within each of the components, a set of strategies have been developed to set Albany on the path of achiev ing the sustainable future city described by the Albany 2030 Vision Statement. The Systems Interrelation ships Matrix at the end of this chapter provides a snapshot of the strategies developed for each system and also shows how the the systems and function and interact with other systems and Eclectic Lark Street bustles with activity day and night. 1. Community Form 2. Economy 3. Social 4. Transportation 5. Natural Resources 6. Housing and Neighborhoods 7. Utilities and Infrastructure 8. Institutions Safe, Livable Neighborhoods Model Educational System Vibrant Urban Center Multi-Modal Transportation Green City Prosperous Economy Vision Components Comprehensive Plan Systems Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary The Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail run ning through Albany’s Corning Preserve is part of the state-wide Canalway Trail that follows the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany. Albany is at the center of the boom ing nanotechnology industry with ground-breaking developments occurring and the globally-renowned Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University at Albany. Delaware Avenue combines vibrant retail, arts, service and entertainment opportunities with a close- knit community. Albany’s transportation infrastructure has evolved dramatically over its 400 year history providing connections and creating unique challenges. ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 Community form addresses the determinants of the physical form and appearance of the City. Albany’s community form is a result of the interaction of the built and natural environments over centuries of human settlement and use. While Albany’s physical appearance continue to change and evolve, its historic pattern defines its community form. The key components of Albany’s community form system are land use patterns (LU), urban design (UD), and architectural character (ARCH). The economic system encompasses the mechanisms and relationships by which the Albany community cre ates economic activity and commerce. Generating business investment, quality jobs, and economic opportu nities for residents is critical to achieving the Albany 2030 vision of a prosperous, sustainable city. The key components of Albany’s economic system are employment (EMP), investment (INV), and diversity (DIV). Social systems encompass a range of services that together address the City’s ability to meet the health, de velopmental, and intellectual needs of its citizens. The key components of Albany’s social system are education (ED), community health and recreation (CHR), public safety (PS), arts and culture (AC), and social services (SS). A multi-modal transportation system provides citizens with the ability to safely and efficiently move around, in, and out of the City via different modes of transportation (e.g. bike, transit, walking, auto). By supporting mul tiple modes, a more balanced, complete transportation system can reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and encourage walking, biking, and transit ridership. The key components of a complete transportation system for Albany are: multi-modal connections (MM); pedestrian (PED), bicycle (BIC), transit (TR), and vehicular travel (VEH); the port/freight move ment (FMP); and air transportation (AIR). Community Form Economy Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation Social Transportation ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary Albany’s land, water, vegetation, and air perform essential functions and provide vital benefits for the City and its residents. The Hudson River and its tributaries are Albany’s major natural features and have shaped its identity and sense of place throughout its history. Key natural resource system components include waterways (WW), the urban forest (UF), natural habitat (NH), air quality (AQ), topography and soils (TS), and open space (OS). Creating safe, livable, mixed-use, and mixed-income neighborhoods emerged from the Albany 2030 visioning process as the top community priority. The quality of Albany’s neighborhoods varies from stable to needing reinvestment as measured by vacancy rate, poverty status, and homeownership rate. Key housing and neighborhood system components include housing diversity and choice (HDC), neighborhood identity (NI), and neighborhood services (NS). Utility and infrastructure systems are the engineered facilities and conveyance networks required to serve the developmental and operational needs of Albany as a whole and day-to-day functional needs of citizens. These systems have an enormous impact on the sustainability and health of the City and its residents. Key utility and infrastructure system components include energy supply and use (EN), public drinking water and sewer systems (WS), stormwater management (SW), solid waste management (SWM), and communications (COM). This system addresses both the contributions and impacts of institutional uses, including federal, state, coun ty, and local government, colleges and universities, health care facilities, and authorities. As major employers and stakeholders, Albany’s institutions play a key role in shaping the City’s economy, land use pattern, and culture. The key components of Albany’s institutional system are: relationships and partnerships (RP), facilities and projects (FP), and fiscal impacts (FI). Housing and Neighborhoods Natural Resources Utilities and Infrastructure Institutions ---PAGE BREAK--- 11 Due to its history and development pattern, Albany has an eclectic mix of housing options from historic row houses and bungalows to modern split levels and colonials. Open since 2002, with easy access pro vided by the Hudson River Way Pedestrian Bridge, Albany Riverfront Park is home to an amphitheater with performance space and seating for more than 1,000 spectators, a new bulkhead, floating boat docks, and a bicycle path for recreation. The Livingston Avenue Bridge, built in 1901, is an operating swing bridge dedicated to freight and passenger rail at Albany’s north waterfront district. As the State Capital, Albany is home to multiple layers of governmental bodies, education institutions, hospitals, authorities and state-wide non- profits. They impact the City’s landscape, as seen here with the gothic S.U.N.Y. administration headquarters, and also the City’s economy, quality of life and infrastructure. ---PAGE BREAK--- 12 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary Systems Interrelationships Strategies that are similar to and overlap with other strategies have been identified in the Systems Interrelationships Matrix on the following page. Although some degree of connection and influence can be found among all the strategies, the interconnections have been determined based on having a direct reference to key terms, concepts, and techniques that are common among the strategies. These system interconnections, which are a key criterion used in developing and priori tizing implementation projects (see Chapter Other criteria (described further in Chap ter 4) include alignment with community priorities, interconnection with other key plan ning initiatives Brownfield Opportunities and Climate Action plans), and leverage points that can most effectively generate desired change throughout the system). Numerous perspectives, stakeholders and interests play out on the Albany landscape. Albany 2030 brings these diverse themes together to identify priorities that can affect system-wide change. Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation ---PAGE BREAK--- 13 COMMUNITY FORM Total Land Use LU-2 UD-1 UD-2 UD-3 INV-1 INV-3 CHR-2 MM-1 MM-2 TR-2 WW-3 NH-2 HDC-2 HDC-6 HDC-8 NS-1 NS-2 EN-3 18 LU-1 Develop a Future Land Use Framework Map to guide land use decisions LU-2 Land-use transporta tion connection LU-1 UD-1 UD-3 INV-1 CHR-5 MM-2 TR-2 AQ-1 HDC-2 NS-2 EN-3 RP-2 12 LU-3 Vacant and abandoned properties reuse ARCH-2 PS-1 AC-6 NI-1 HDC-9 5 LU-4 Remediate brownfields to restore vacant, con taminated properties ARCH-3 WW-4 TS-2 3 Urban Design UD-3 MM-2 TR-2 HDC-8 NI-2 NS-2 EN-3 SW-4 8 UD-1 Create design guidelines and a design review process UD-2 Improve waterfront and downtown connections INV-2 MM-2 WW-5 3 UD-3 Create multi-modal design guidelines LU-2 UD-1 INV-1 CHR-2 PS-2 MM-1 MM-2 TR-1 VEH-4 EN-3 10 Architectural Character ARCH-2 INV-2 NI-2 3 ARCH-1 Create a historic preservation plan ARCH-2 Vacant and abandoned properties reuse LU-3 PS-1 AC-6 NI-1 4 Systems Interrelationships Matrix ---PAGE BREAK--- 14 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary ECONOMY Total Employment EMP-2 EMP-3 EMP-5 INV-1 TR-3 NS-2 EN-3 7 EMP-1 Increase access to jobs EMP-2 Increase job opportunities for all residents EMP-1 EMP-3 INV-1 INV-2 RP-1 5 EMP-3 Provide training and continuing education EMP-1 EMP-2 DIV-2 ED-3 RP-1 5 EMP-4 Target regional growth industries EMP-1 EMP-2 ED-3 RP-1 4 EMP-5 Coordinate economic devel opment and energy/sustain ability efforts EMP-1 EN-1 EN-4 3 Investment LU-2 LU-4 UD-1 ARCH-1 ARCH-3 EMP-1 CHR-7 MM-2 TR-2 TR-3 VEH-2 WW-4 TS-2 HDC-2.b. HDC-5 NI-1 NI-2 NS-2 NS-6 EN-3 19 INV-1 Make Albany attractive for business development INV-2 Encourage investment in urban land and buildings for employment and housing UD-2 LU-1 LU-3 ARCH-1 ARCH-2 INV-1 CHR-7 AC-4 MM-2 PED-2 BIC-2 NI-1 NI-2 HDC-2 HDC-3 HDC-4 HDC-5 NS-1 FP-1 FP-2 FP-6 21 INV-3 Reinforce, enhance and promote Albany’s distinctive character and identity UD-1 ARCH-1 ARCH-2 ARCH-3 PS-1 PS-3 PS-4 PS-7 NS-1 9 INV-4 Foster coalitions and community-initiated economic development partnerships INV-1 NI-2 NS-3 RP-1 RP-5 5 INV-5 Provide a foundation for economic activity ED-2 NS-3 RP-1 FP-5 4 Diversity AC-4 NS-1 2 DIV-1 Increase economic diversity DIV-2 Identify high value, high probability sectors for targeted intervention EMP-3 ED-2 RP-1 3 DIV-3 Develop an “adaptive management” approach RP-1 RP-4 RP-6 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- 15 SOCIAL Total Education ED-2 ED-3 FP-6 3 ED-1 Champion urban edu cation in Albany ED-2 Increase partnerships between institutions and the business community EMP-3 DIV-2 RP-1 3 ED-3 Increase partnerships with higher education EMP-3 EMP-4 RP-1 3 ED-4 Support and partner with existing arts and cultural organizations AC-1 AC-2 AC-3 AC-4 AC-5 5 ED-5 Extend digital literacy programs COM-2 1 Community Health & Recreation CHR-6 CHR-7 NS-4 3 CHR-1 Improve connections between neighborhoods and recreation facilities CHR-2 Promote walkable neighborhoods and complete streets MM-1 BIC-1 AQ-1 3 CHR-3 Increase access to healthy food options CHR-9 OS-2 OS-3 NI-3 NS-7 5 CHR-4 Partner with healthcare institutions to promote preventative health measures CHR-9 1 CHR-5 Increase multi-modal connections to health care institutions LU-2 MM-2 2 CHR-6 Provide intergenera tional opportunities for recreation CHR-1 1 CHR-7 Increase opportunities for recreational use of the Hudson River INV-2 INV-1 CHR-1 MM-2 PED-2 TR-3 OS-1 7 CHR-8 Improve and enhance public access to institu tional open spaces FP-4 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- 16 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary SOCIAL Total CHR-9 Develop active design guidelines to promote physical activity and health UD-1 UD-2 UD-3 3 Public Safety LU-3 ARCH-2 INV-3 AC-6 NI-1 5 PS-1 Remove blighting influ ences PS-2 Promote walkable neighborhoods and complete streets UD-3 INV-3 MM-1 3 PS-3 Expand and promote neighborhood town watch INV-3 NS-5 2 PS-4 Focus on a community policing method INV-3 NS-5 2 PS-5 Partner with the New York State Police to address the regional nature of crime INV-3 RP-5 2 PS-6 Enhance resiliency against natural events OS-3 HDC- 11 EN-1 3 PS-7 Utilize crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) INV-3 HDC-5 2 Arts & Culture ED-4 1 AC-1 Promote cultural identity AC-2 Make art education available at all school levels ED-4 1 AC-3 Foster opportunities for public art ED-4 1 AC-4 Strengthen the City’s arts and cultural dis tricts INV-2 DIV-1 ED-4 AC-6 AC-7 HDC-5 6 AC-5 Enhance access to arts and cultural facilities ED-4 1 AC-6 Provide opportunities for live-work space for artists LU-3 ARCH-2 PS-1 NI-1 4 AC-7 Create a welcoming atmosphere for artists AC-4 AC-6 HDC-2 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- 17 SOCIAL Total Social Services SS-2 SS-6 SS-7 3 SS-1 Maintain access to hu man service agencies, expand service where needed SS-2 Encourage coordinated promotion and access to social services SS-1 SS-4 SS-5 SS-7 4 SS-3 Focus on strategies for preparing low-income children for K-5 school ing ED-1 ED-3 2 SS-4 Consider social and environmental equity in all decisions SS-2 SS-6 TR-3 TR-4 4 SS-5 Foster collaboration be tween organizations that provide similar services SS-1 SS-2 SS-7 3 SS-6 Improve and enhance public access to insti tutional facilities and services SS-1 RP-4 2 SS-7 Improve and coordinate homelessness assis tance programs SS-1 SS-2 SS-5 HDC- 10 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- 18 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary TRANSPORTATION Total Multi-Modal CHR-2 BIC-1 VEH-4 AQ-1 SW-3 EN-3 6 MM-1 Develop a Complete Streets policy MM-2 Land use-transporta tion connection LU-2 UD-1 UD-2 INV-1 INV-2 CHR-5 CHR-7 TR-2 AQ-1 WW-5 NS-2 EN-3 RP-2 14 Pedestrian MM-1 MM-2 NS-4 3 PED-1 Maintain & improve sidewalk connections PED-2 Expand greenways CHR-7 BIC-2 OS-1 RP-2 4 Bicycle CHR-2 MM-1 VEH-3 AQ-1 EN-3 5 BIC-1 Promote and imple ment the Bicycle Master Plan BIC-2 Connect to regional trails CHR-1 PED-2 OS-1 RP-2 4 BIC-3 Educate cyclists and drivers BIC-1 1 Transit UD-3 TR-3 TR-4 AIR-1 AQ-1 5 TR-1 Establish an intermo dal transit center TR-2 Promote Transporta tion Demand Manage ment to improve transit choices LU-1 UD-1 VEH-3 AQ-1 NS-2 EN-3 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- 19 TRANSPORTATION Total TR-3 Increase transit con nectivity EMP-1 INV-1 CHR-5 CHR-7 TR-1 AIR-1 NS-2 EN-3 8 TR-4 Explore transit expan sion options SS-4 TR-1 TR-3 EN-3 4 Vehicular VEH-3 TR-3 TR-4 3 VEH-1 Improve road infra structure and reduce congestion VEH-2 Implement a com prehensive parking strategy INV-1 NS-6 2 VEH-3 Promote Transporta tion Demand Manage ment to reduce vehicle miles traveled TR-2 AQ-1 EN-3 3 VEH-4 Promote efficient, hybrid, or alternative- fueled vehicles UD-3 MM-1 EN-1 3 Freight Movement / Port INV-2 FMP-2 2 FMP-1 Leverage port assets and integrate with freight rail FMP-2 Modernize the port to accommodate increased demand INV-2 FMP-1 2 Air INV-1 TR-1 TR-3 3 AIR-1 Maintain and improve connections between the airport and city AIR-2 Support Albany County Airport Authority efforts to increase direct na tional connections INV-1 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- 20 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary NATURAL RESOURCES Total Waterways WW-2 WS-1 SW-1 SW-2 4 WW-1 Implement Long-Term Con trol Plan to mitigate water quality impacts of CSO’s WW-2 Control sources of negative environmental impact WW-1 WW-3 TS-1 SW-1 WS-3 5 WW-3 Use zoning and environ mental review to protect river and stream corridors WW-2 TS-1 SW-3 SW-4 4 WW-4 Remediate brownfields to reduce runoff and water table contamination LU-4 ARCH-3 INV-1 TS-2 4 WW-5 Improve public access to waterways UD-2 INV-2 MM-2 3 WW-6 Encourage water conserva tion WS-2 EN-2 EN-4 3 Urban Forest AQ-2 UF-2 2 UF-1 Develop an urban forestry program UF-2 Use zoning and environ mental review to protect the urban forest UF-1 AQ-2 2 Natural Habitat BIC-2 PED-2 NH-2 OS-1 RP-2 5 NH-1 Limit encroachment into habitat areas through land use controls NH-2 Implement the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Manage ment Plan NH-1 NH-3 NH-4 3 NH-3 Restore and maintain high quality natural habitat areas NH-1 NH-2 OS-1 3 NH-4 Use existing environmental education centers to pro mote habitat protection NH-2 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- 21 NATURAL RESOURCES Total Air Quality LU-2 UD-1 INV-1 CHR-2 MM-1 MM-2 BIC-1 TR-1 TR-2 VEH-3 NS-1 NS-2 EN-3 13 AQ-1 Provide multi-modal trans portation choices to reduce vehicle miles traveled AQ-2 Enhance the urban forest to absorb CO2 and other pollutants UF-1 UF-2 2 AQ-3 Enforce existing Anti-Idling Policy and expand to cover all modes and sectors VEH-3 VEH-4 2 Topography & Soils SW-3 SW-4 2 TS-1 Limit encroachment on steep slopes through land use controls TS-2 Encourage brownfield development to reduce soil contamination LU-4 ARCH-3 INV-1 WW-4 4 Open Space CHR-1 CHR-7 BIC-2 PED-2 NH-1 RP-2 6 OS-1 Expand and connect green ways and trails and link to regional networks OS-2 Reclaim vacant lots as open space and community gardens CHR-3 OS-3 NI-3 3 OS-3 Support local food produc tion CHR-3 OS-2 NI-3 NS-7 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- 22 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOODS Total Housing & Diversity HDC-2 HDC-3 HDC-4 HDC-7 4 HDC-1 Improve the balance between rentals and owner-occupied homes HDC-2 Use zoning as a tool to incentivize a diverse housing stock LU-1 LU-2 INV-1 INV-2 AC-7 HDC-6 HDC-7 7 HDC-3 Provide and maintain intergenerational/life- cycle housing options INV-2 HDC-2 HDC-4 3 HDC-4 Develop creative financing tools to en courage mixed-income housing INV-2 HDC-1 HDC-7 3 HDC-5 Develop a marketing strategy to promote the City’s neighborhoods INV-1 INV-2 PS-7 AC-4 HDC-1 HDC-4 6 HDC-6 Use zoning to incentiv ize the development of affordable housing LU-1 HDC-2 HDC-7 3 HDC-7 Encourage mixed-in come housing options throughout the City HDC-1 HDC-2 HDC-3 HDC-4 4 HDC-8 Promote quality afford able housing through design guidelines LU-1 UD-1 HDC-9 3 HDC-9 Use building and zon ing code enforcement to improve housing quality LU-3 HDC-8 2 HDC-10 Ensure adequate provisions for home lessness prevention, transition and housing SS-1 SS-2 SS-5 SS-7 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- 23 HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOODS Total Neighborhood Identity LU-3 ARCH-2 INV-1 INV-2 INV-3 PS-1 AC-6 7 NI-1 Target blighting influences NI-2 Use zoning and devel opment regulations as a tool for investment UD-1 ARCH-1 ARCH-2 INV-1 INV-2 INV-4 6 NI-3 Leverage institutional anchors to build neigh borhood identity CHR-3 OS-2 FP-3 RP-5 4 NI-4 Create a partnership between neighborood associations and institutions FP-3 RP-5 FP-6 3 NI-5 Promote the use of web-based tools for neighborhood information sharing COM-1 COM-2 RP-6 3 Neighborhood Services LU-1 INV-2 DIV-1 RP-5 4 NS-1 Enhance, promote, and strengthen neigh borhood commercial centers NS-2 Increase transit connectivity between neighborhoods and employment centers LU-1 UD-1 EMP-1 INV-1 MM-2 TR-2 TR-3 EN-3 8 NS-3 Partner with institutions to attract investment in surrounding neighbor hoods INV-4 RP-1 RP-5 3 NS-4 Locate libraries, schools, parks, and community centers close to neighbor hoods CHR-1 PED-1 2 NS-5 Increase Neighbor hood Watch Programs and focus on a com munity policing method PS-3 PS-4 2 NS-6 Address parking issues within neighborhoods INV-1 VEH-2 2 NS-7 Increase access to healthy food options for all neighborhoods CHR-3 OS-2 OS-3 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- 24 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary UTILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE Total Energy EMP-5 PS-6 VEH-4 HDC-11 EN-2 EN-3 EN-4 8 EN-1 Implement the initia tives developed by the Mayor’s Office of En ergy and Sustainability and as outlined in the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan EN-2 Develop an education program to commu nicate energy and sustainability goals EN-1 WS-2 SWM-1 3 EN-3 Promote Multi-Modal transportation choices to reduce vehicle miles traveled UD-1 EMP-1 INV-1 MM-1 MM-2 BIC-1 TR-2 TR-3 TR-4 VEH-3 AQ-1 NS-2 11 EN-4 Incentivize energy- efficiency / renewable energy technologies in construction projects EMP-5 HDC-11 EN-1 3 Water & Sewer WW-1 WW-2 SW-1 SW-2 4 WS-1 Implement Long-Term Control Plan to mitigate water quality impacts of CSO’s WS-2 Encourage water con servation WW-6 EN-2 EN-4 3 WS-3 Control sources of negative environmental impact WW-1 WW-2 TS-1 SW-4 4 WS-4 Assess the feasibility and market for selling excess drinking water to regional towns and municipalities WS-2 RP-6 RP-2 3 Stormwater WW-1 WW-2 SW-2 SW-3 SW-4 WS-1 6 SW-1 Create a green infrastructure system ---PAGE BREAK--- 25 UTILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE Total SW-2 Incorporate green infrastructure practices in the Long Term Control Plan for CSO's WW-1 WW-2 SW-1 3 SW-3 Reduce impermeable surfaces through land development regulations MM-1 WW-2 SW-1 SW-4 WS-3 5 SW-4 Create Low Impact Development Design Guidelines UD-1 SW-1 SW-3 WS-3 4 Solid Waste Management EN-1 SWM-2 2 SWM-1 Maintain and expand ing waste reduction, reuse and recycling efforts SWM-2 Explore alternatives for solid waste reduction and disposal EN-1 SWM-1 2 Communications NI-5 COM-2 RP-6 3 COM-1 Improve, develop and maintain com munications infra structure COM-2 Improve access to communications technology for all residents ED-5 NI-5 COM-1 RP-6 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- 26 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary iNSTITUTIONS Total Relationships & Partnerships EMP-3 EMP-4 INV-4 INV-5 DIV-2 ED-2 ED-3 NS-3 RP-3 RP-4 9 RP-1 Work together to attract and support businesses and start-ups RP-2 Create, implement and expand regional plans for multi-modal trans portation, open space networks, and green infrastructure MM-2 PED-2 BIC-2 NH-1 OS-1 RP-3 RP-4 7 RP-3 Create and maintain open lines of com munication between institutions RP-1 RP-5 RP-6 FP-1 FP-2 FP-3 FP-5 FI-2 7 RP-4 Position the City as a leader in regional cooperation DIV-3 SS-6 RP-1 RP-2 FP-2 FP-5 6 RP-5 Work together to revitalize downtown and key neighborhood mixed-use nodes INV-4 NI-3 NI-4 PS-5 NS-1 NS-3 FP-1 6 RP-6 Enhance data-sharing partnerships with institutions DIV-1 NI-5 COM-1 COM-2 3 Facilities & Projects INV-2 RP-3 FI-2 FP-6 4 FP-1 Communicate the ben efits of development and growth in the city FP-2 Coordinate with State, County, and regional agencies in the development review process INV-2 RP-4 FP-3 3 FP-3 Work together to reduce potential negative impacts of institutional projects NI-4 RP-3 FP-2 FI-1 FI-3 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- 27 iNSTITUTIONS Total FP-4 Improve public access to institutional facilities and open spaces CHR-8 SS-6 RP-2 FI-2 4 FP-5 Work with institutions on climate change planning INV-5 RP-4 2 FP-6 Encourage Institu tions to locate in, remain in and revital ize City of Albany neighborhoods INV-2 ED-1 NI-4 RP-5 FP-1 5 Fiscal Impacts RP-3 FI-2 FI-3 3 FI-1 Work together to establish a compre hensive system for implementing PILOTs FI-2 Communicate how development and growth in the city benefit or impact all institutions RP-3 FP-2 FI-1 FI-3 4 FI-3 Assess and lobby for appropriate recom mendations outlined in the 2010 Capital Punishment report FP-3 FI-1 FI-2 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 29 CHAPTER 4.0 ---PAGE BREAK--- 30 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary 4.0 Plan Implementation Plans are turned into reality by taking action. The Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan uses a systems approach to develop the direction for Albany’s future set by citizens, as expressed in the Vision Statement, into strategies for action (the eight plan systems presented in Chapter and priorities for implementation. The system strategies have been integrated into a series of implementation projects that cut across plan systems to produce tangible results in achieving the Albany 2030 Vision using the following approach: 1. Identify Community Priorities 2. Identify and quantify System Overlaps 3. Identify Leverage Points 4. Use the results of steps 1 to 3 to inform the development of strategies and actions into Implementation Projects. 5. Prioritize Implementation Projects into short term, intermediate term, and long term, and ongoing time frames Implementation Projects The Implementation Projects table on the following page identifies projects that “bundle” the system strategies into projects that are divided into the following timeframes based on priority and other considerations such as resources and time required for implemen tation: • Short term (initiate within 2 years from plan adoption) • Intermediate term (initiate within 2-5 years from plan adoption) • Long term (initiate within 5-10 years from plan adoption) • Ongoing (new programs or continuation of existing ones that would operate through out the 20-year implementation period) State Street blends the old with the new to serve as Downtown’s east-west spine. Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation ---PAGE BREAK--- 31 Implementation Projects Short Term Projects Applicable System Strategies System Interconnections ST-1 Create a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) LU-2, PS-2, EMP-4, INV-2, MM-1, MM-2, PED-1, HDC-3, HDC-4, HDC-7, TR-1, TR-3, AQ-1, CHR- 2, BIC-1, VEH-3, EN-3 120 ST-2 Develop the Harriman Campus as a mixed-use, transit-oriented community LU-1, LU-2, PS-2, EMP-4, INV-2, MM-1, MM-2, PED-1, HDC-3, HDC-4, HDC-7 90 ST-3 Establish baseline Citywide Community Assess ments HDC-1, HDC-2, HDC-3, HDC-4, HDC-5, HDC-6, HDC-7, HDC-8, HDC-9, NI-1, NI-2, NI-3, NI-4, NS-1, NS-2, NS-3, NS-4, NS-5, NS-6, NS-7 79 ST-4 Create a Strategic Arts Welcoming program LU-3, ARCH-2, ED-4, PS-1, AC-4, AC-6, AC-7, INV-2, DIV-1, HDC-2, NI-1 69 Short Term Projects Applicable System Strategies System Interconnections ST-5 Develop a Comprehensive Urban Agricultural Plan CHR-3, OS-2, OS-3, NI-3, NS-7, EMP-2, INV-2, DIV-1 47 ST-6 Hire a marketing consultant to develop a city-wide marketing strategy HDC-5, INV-1, INV-2, AC-4 46 ST-7 Develop a system for inter-deparmental and community data sharing to improve government efficiency INV-2, RP-1, RP-3, RP-5, FP-2, FI-1 43 ST-8 Create an “Albany Local” buy local/use local program EMP-1, INV-2, DIV-1 30 Short Term Projects Applicable System Strategies System Interconnections ST-9 Create an Access to Healthy Foods program CHR-3, OS-2, OS-3, NI-3, NS-7 19 ST-10 Create a PILOT task force and implement a fair and consistent PILOT program FI-1, RP-3, FI-2, FI-3 17 Intermediate Term Projects Applicable System Strategies System Interconnections IT-1 Prepare a comprehensive update to the city’s zoning ordinance LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, UD-1, ARCH-2, INV-1, INV-2, INV-4, AC-7, MM-2, HDC-2, HDC-6, HDC-9, NI- 2, WW-3, UF-2 132 IT-2 Create a comprehensive waterfront development strategy for the Hudson River waterfront UD-2, CHR-1, CHR-7, INV-1, INV-2, MM-2, WW- 5, PED-2, TR-3, OS-1, FMP-1, FMP-2 91 IT-3 Grow and strengthen the local Small Business Development Community EMP-1, EMP-2, INV-1, INV-2, DIV-1, DIV-2 57 IT-4 Develop a commercial / office space reuse plan and program INV-1, INV-2, ARCH-1, ARCH-2, HDC-7, NI-2 57 IT-5 Develop a complete streets plan, policy, and design guidelines. CHR-2, MM-1, BIC-1, AQ-1, SW-3, EN-3 43 ---PAGE BREAK--- 32 Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Albany Executive Summary Intermediate Term Projects Applicable System Strategies System Interconnections IT-6 Develop a green infrastructure system WW-1, WW-6, EN-1, WS-1, WS-2, WS-3, SW-1, SW-2, SW-3, SW-4 39 IT-7 Develop a city-wide parking management strat egy INV-1, VEH-2, NS-6 23 IT-8 Expand the current street tree management plan into a comprehensive urban forestry program UF-1, UF-2, AQ-2 6 Long Term Projects Applicable System Strategies System Interconnections LT-1 Develop intermodal transit centers UD-3, MM-1,TR-1, TR-3, TR-4, AIR-1, AQ-1 49 LT-2 Develop a model urban rehabilitation building code ARCH-1, ARCH-2, INV-2, NI-2 34 LT-3 Develop context appropriate design guidelines, manuals and pattern books. UD-1, INV-3, HDC-8 20 Ongoing Pro grams Applicable System Strategies System Interconnections O-1 Establish a formal lobbying presence at the State and Federal level FI-1, FI-3, INV-1, INV-4, ED-1, EN-1, NS-3, MM- 1, MM-2, TR-4, RP-1, LU-2, WW-2, AQ-1, OS-1 112 O-2 Develop a regional Economic Development task force. RP-1, EMP-1, EMP-2, EMP-3, EMP-4, EMP-5, INV-1, INV-2, INV-4, INV-5, DIV-1, DIV-2, DIV-3, ED-2, ED-3, NS-3 99 O-3 Implement the initiatives outlined in the Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability EN-1, EN-2, EN-3, EN-4, EMP-5, MM-2, AQ-1, WS-2, SW-1, SWM-1, SWM-2 67 O-4 Reconvene an Education task force to develop a new Urban Education Agenda ED-1, ED-2, ED-3, ED-4, ED-5, SS-3, SS-6, EMP- 3, EMP-4, DIV-2, RP-1 52 O-5 Implement the Bicycle Master Plan CHR-2, MM-1, BIC-1, BIC-2, BIC-3, VEH-3, AQ- 1, EN-3 46 O-6 Complete and implement the Neighborhood Revi talization Strategic Plan LU-3, LU-4, ARCH-2, ARCH-3, INV-2, NI-1 43 O-7 Implement a brownfield redevelopment strategy, starting with preparation of a Step Two Brown fields Opportunities Area (BOA) Nominations Study LU-4, ARCH-3, INV-2, WW-4, TS-2 35 Introduction Vision Statement Sustainability Building Blocks: The Comprehensive Plan System Plan Implementation ---PAGE BREAK--- 33 Plan Monitoring Albany 2030 should be thought of as an ongoing process and framework to inform more de tailed planning, programs, and decision-making as implementation moves forward. Measures of success should be developed for use in the monitoring process to evaluate the effectiveness of plan implementation, including: • Timeframes for completion of specific actions. • Indicators (metrics) to measure progress in achieving the plan vision and goals. • Dialogue should be maintained with local citizens, civic groups, implementation partners, regional agencies and municipalities, business and development interests, and other stakeholders on a periodic, ongoing basis. The following checklist is proposed to guide the process of monitoring implementation prog ress and making periodic updates to the Comprehensive Plan: Annual review - Submit an annual brief to the Common Council on the Comprehensive Plan, outlining implementation progress during the previous year and defining project priorities for implementing the plan over the next year. Update the Data Book as new information becomes available. Five-Year Assessment - Submit a detailed and formal report on plan progress, including a description of what significant changes have occurred since plan adoption; allow for minor amendments and modifications based on changing local dynamics, completion of outlined projects, or the occurrence of major changes in local, regional, state and national trends. 10-Year Update - Develop a process to revise and adopt an updated plan at the 10-year mark after plan adoption. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK---