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University at Albany Downtown Corridor Visioning Study Welcome! ---PAGE BREAK--- The Project ReZone Albany o New Land Development Code for Albany o Implementing Albany 2030 o Promoting investment o Protecting established neighborhoods o Drafting form-based controls for key areas o Promoting sustainability & energy efficiency o Streamlining City review and approval ---PAGE BREAK--- Hands-On Design Workshop Monday, August 1 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Open Design Studio Tuesday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 3 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Work-In-Progress Presentation Thursday, August 4 6:00 to 8:00 PM 2 1 workshop events: location of all workshop events: 200 Milne Hall (135 Western Avenue) 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- draft ---PAGE BREAK--- To improve the look, walkability, parking & safety for students, residents & businesses and help the Downtown Campus area reach its full potential This week’s goal: ---PAGE BREAK--- building on previous plans ---PAGE BREAK--- Top engineers and significant research in the world 1000 students, 200 faculty an engine for transformation ---PAGE BREAK--- New Business Incubator on Central Avenue near North Lake Avenue changes underway ---PAGE BREAK--- upgrades ---PAGE BREAK--- Harvard Square, Cambridge Downtown Campuses: Mix of people & uses ---PAGE BREAK--- Thayer Street, Providence Edgy, youthful & diverse ---PAGE BREAK--- Downtown Campus Area ---PAGE BREAK--- Downtown Campus Area (also) ---PAGE BREAK--- hands-on design session 30+ people ---PAGE BREAK--- meetings ---PAGE BREAK--- meetings mayor & city staff public safety departments housing reps & advocates university reps (faculty, auxiliary services, campus planners) UAlbany President business owners neighborhood association reps residents (from every part of the city) students parking authority Capitalize Albany developers ---PAGE BREAK--- in-person participation to-date 85+ studio visitors, meeting attendees, hands-on participants ---PAGE BREAK--- media coverage ---PAGE BREAK--- rezonealbany.com Online participation 52,130+ visitors ---PAGE BREAK--- quick poll ---PAGE BREAK--- Did you attend the kick-off presentation or visit the studio? 1. Kick-off 2. Studio or technical meeting 3. Both 4. Neither Kick-off Studio or technical meeting Both Neither 17% 34% 24% 24% 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- Were you ever a student at the University at Albany? 1. Yes 2. No Yes No 38% 63% 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- Do you live, work, or learn in either the Downtown Campus area or Pine Hills? 1. Live 2. Work 3. Learn 4. Both Live and Work/learn 5. None or the above Live Work Learn Both Live and Work/learn None or the above 13% 44% 13% 0% 31% 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- How often to you dine or shop in the Downtown Campus area? 1. Every Day 2. Weekdays 3. Once or twice a week 4. Once or twice a month 5. A few times a year 6. Never Every Day Weekdays Once or twice a week Once or twice a month A few times a year Never 5% 8% 11% 18% 42% 16% 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- what we heard ---PAGE BREAK--- one word card ---PAGE BREAK--- now one word about the Downtown Campus Area ---PAGE BREAK--- in the future one word about the Downtown Campus Area ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 big ideas for the Downtown Campus Area • focus efforts, create a center & gateways Identify opportunities to leverage institutional investment into private investment in the surrounding areas. Attract businesses that meet day-to-day needs of students, visitors, employees & residents • restore “great streets” safe, comfortable & interesting, “road diet”, safe crossings, trees, protected bike lanes, street furniture (benches, trash), bulb-outs & planters • add destinations & connections upgrade appearance of buildings & streets and sidewalk cafés, brew pub, hardware shop, grocery stores, public art, community gathering places, & institutional expansion that supports surrounding areas. Quail as the “Commercial Heart” • prepare for more transit create a “complete place” that will compete better for BRT, streetcars, bus stations, shaded sidewalks, bike lanes, additional parking (as necessary) • strengthen adjacent neighborhoods brand area, new light poles for banners & flower boxes, a management district, upgrade and rehab student housing & integrate within neighborhoods ---PAGE BREAK--- focus efforts, create a center & gateways ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park existing ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- western & washington existing ---PAGE BREAK--- western & washington proposed: streetscape improvement, infill buildings New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Gateway Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Gateway Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Gateway Washington & Western Two-way cycle track Bus shelter Wider sidewalks Infill buildings Street trees Mountable curb Welcoming Art ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train Minerva in the abstract Washington & Western Campus Minerva Minerva = Education, but Educational District also includes St. Rose, La Salle & Albany High School ---PAGE BREAK--- Court Square Plaza, Montgomery AL ---PAGE BREAK--- A four-point intersection ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Gateway Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Gateway Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train What about firetrucks? Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train What about firetrucks? Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train What about (double-articulated) busses? Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- pedestrian fatalities & speed ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Gateway Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train Washington & Western ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- existing Washington and West St ---PAGE BREAK--- after Washington and West St ---PAGE BREAK--- add destinations & connections ---PAGE BREAK--- a short walk away Crave Sovrana Café Dominicana ---PAGE BREAK--- a short walk away Robin Street and Central ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- central & robin existing ---PAGE BREAK--- central & robin Proposed: opportunity redevelopment site, new park & streets New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- existing Central and Robin ---PAGE BREAK--- existing Central and Robin ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- existing Central and Robin ---PAGE BREAK--- After: tech office space, cafes, private housing Central and Robin ---PAGE BREAK--- University of Richmond private dormitories Richmond, VA student housing in downtown ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- washington & lake existing ---PAGE BREAK--- washington & lake Proposed: streetscape improvements, mixed-use opportunity site New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- Toward North Lake Avenue the walk from campus to central ave ---PAGE BREAK--- Toward North Lake Avenue the walk from campus to central ave ---PAGE BREAK--- North Lake Avenue the walk from campus to central ave ---PAGE BREAK--- North Lake Avenue the walk from campus to central ave ---PAGE BREAK--- Washington and N Lake existing ---PAGE BREAK--- After: Tech office space, incubators, accelerators, cafes, commercial Washington and N Lake ---PAGE BREAK--- restore “great streets” ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park Washington Avenue New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- • 4 travel lanes, parking both sides • Transit corridor Washington Ave ---PAGE BREAK--- Existing – 4 lanes plus parking Washington Ave ---PAGE BREAK--- 12’-20’ 12’-20’ 8’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 8’ 1 Train Existing – 4 lanes plus parking Washington Ave Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 5’ 12’-20’ 8’ 5’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 8’ 1 Train Option 1 – 3 lanes plus parking with on-street bike lanes Washington Ave 12’-20’ Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train Option 3 – 2 lanes plus parking with parking-protected bike lanes Washington Ave 8’ 12’-20’ 6’-7’ 8’ 10’-11’ 10’-11’ 6’-7’ 12’-20’ 3’ 3’ Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train Option 4 – 2 lanes plus parking with above-the-curb cycle tracks Washington Ave 8’ 12’-20’ 6’-7’ 8’ 10’-11’ 10’-11’ 6’-7’ 12’-20’ 3’ 3’ Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train Option 3 – 2 lanes plus parking with parking-protected bike lanes Washington Ave 8’ 12’-20’ 6’-7’ 8’ 10’-11’ 10’-11’ 6’-7’ 12’-20’ 3’ 3’ Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- Washington Ave bike lane ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train Option 3 – 2 lanes plus parking with parking-protected bike lanes Washington Ave 8’ 12’-20’ 6’-7’ 8’ 10’-11’ 10’-11’ 6’-7’ 12’-20’ 3’ 3’ Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Segments– 2 lanes plus parking with angled parking and two way cycle track Washington Ave 8’ 12’-20’ 15’ 10’-11’ 10’-11’ 9’-12’ 12’-20’ 3’ Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Train University Segments–– 2 lanes plus parking with reverse angled parking and two way cycle track Washington Ave 8’ 12’-20’ 15’ 10’-11’ 10’-11’ 9’-12’ 12’-20’ 3’ Right-of-Way Width: 90’ to 95’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 400 Cars 8 Buses 1 Train What would make you more likely to take public transportation? 400 cars = 8 buses = 1 streetcar ---PAGE BREAK--- quail street improvements Quail Street Green Infrastructure Project ---PAGE BREAK--- prepare for more transit ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- parking opportunities ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan parking opportunities Washington Park New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- multimodal center Washington Park existing ---PAGE BREAK--- multimodal center Washington Park multimodal center New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- multimodal center Washington Park multimodal center + improved parking New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- multimodal center Washington Park Multiple sites for investigation New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- existing Thurlow Terrace ---PAGE BREAK--- after – surface parking Thurlow Terrace ---PAGE BREAK--- Thurlow Terrace after – structured parking ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- opportunity sites Western Avenue near Quail ---PAGE BREAK--- mid-block opportunities existing ---PAGE BREAK--- mid-block opportunities surface lot New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- mid-block opportunities parking structure New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- mid-block opportunities new development New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan parking opportunities Washington Park New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- • identify existing and future parking needs both for University at Albany and local neighborhood • map how parking is actually used understanding hot spots of demand and areas of availability • protect residential areas from spillover parking limit impacts to local residential areas and businesses • develop strategies to meet future demand suite of management, supply, tdm approaches • integrate parking as part of multi-modal system identify signage, walking, biking gaps Parking Study Goals (DRAFT) ---PAGE BREAK--- strengthen neighborhoods ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- reinvestment occurring Renovated homes ---PAGE BREAK--- reinvestment still needed Renovated homes ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- Alumni Quad Office of Campus Planning ---PAGE BREAK--- illustrative plan Washington Park proposed New Building Rehabilitated Building Park Space Plaza Space New Parking ---PAGE BREAK--- existing Ontario Street ---PAGE BREAK--- what if… existing ---PAGE BREAK--- what if… Proposed: infill mixed-use buildings with appropriate heights ---PAGE BREAK--- respectful heights & architecture ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- College of St. Rose U Albany - Page Hall Albany schools, charters, incubators ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- no loss of identity ---PAGE BREAK--- quick poll ---PAGE BREAK--- Do you like this? 1. Yes 2. Probably yes 3. Can’t tell yet 4. No Yes Probably yes Can’t tell yet No 0% 0% 0% 0% ---PAGE BREAK--- Do you think that Washington Avenue should have a protected bike facility? 1. Yes 2. Probably yes 3. Can’t tell yet 4. No Yes Probably yes Can’t tell yet No 59% 7% 12% 22% ---PAGE BREAK--- Which amenities are most lacking in the Downtown Campus area? 1. Places to dine 2. Places to shop 3. Workplaces 4. Parking 5. Bike facilities 6. Lighting 7. Shade / Street Trees 8. Other Places to dine Places to shop Workplaces Parking Bike facilities Lighting Shade / Street Trees Other 22% 27% 7% 5% 12% 17% 2% 7% ---PAGE BREAK--- Do you think it is likely that increased transit, wider sidewalks, and bike facilities will get people out of their cars? 1. Yes 2. Probably yes 3. Can’t tell yet 4. No Yes Probably yes Can’t tell yet No 29% 22% 12% 37% ---PAGE BREAK--- Should the University partner with the neighborhood to increase home ownership? 1. Yes 2. Probably yes 3. Can’t tell yet 4. No Yes Probably yes Can’t tell yet No 64% 3% 21% 13% ---PAGE BREAK--- remember: there are no overnight solutions …but we have some powerful tools including: Zoning, land development regulations, capital improvement budget, transportation funding, incentive programs, grants & funds ---PAGE BREAK--- future opportunities Opportunities to seamlessly blend UAlbany & the community in the Mid-City Education District include: • Convert available buildings into expanded incubator/ accelerator/ or classroom as flexible space for higher learning. • Utilize the Mid-City Education District as a “living laboratory. • Increase community cultural programming and adult continuing education opportunities. • Encourage faculty, alumni, staff, and students to purchase and or renovate homes and properties. • Encourage education based small business opportunities. ---PAGE BREAK--- research possible incentives UAlbany investment can lead to new community and economic development opportunities such as: • Increased homeownership and housing rehabilitation • Conversion of zombie and/or abandoned properties • Façade Improvement Initiatives • Small business assistance, education, and incentives • Streetscape and public improvements ---PAGE BREAK--- funding quilt The implementation of this plan will require the creation of unique public/private partnerships with: • University at Albany and regional educational institutions • Private sector investors • Financial Institutions • City, County, State Agencies • Non-profit organizations . ---PAGE BREAK--- quick poll ---PAGE BREAK--- Do you feel the plan is generally on the right track? 1. Yes 2. Probably yes 3. Can’t tell yet 4. No Yes Probably yes Can’t tell yet No 68% 3% 3% 28% ---PAGE BREAK--- the conversation continues: rezonealbany.com ---PAGE BREAK--- University at Albany Downtown Corridor Visioning Study Thank you!