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Community Design + Architecture led a multi-disciplinary team in studying the potential for intensifying land use along a 16.5 mile arterial corridor between Albany and Schenectady, New York. The Study started with an assessment of land use and transportation conditions and the growth potential given the Corridor's market and policy context in the region and the five communities it passes through. Urban typologies were identified and representative sites were used to explore a variety of urban design approaches for intensifying development, ranging from renewal of inner-city neighborhoods to infill of surface parking lots to reuse of older suburban malls. Light Rail (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternatives were evaluated for flexibility, cost, anticipated ridership, and fit within the land use and urban design context of the street. Street designs were developed to illustrate options for improving transit, pedestrian, and bicycle access along and across the street.
The alternative scenarios, which varied by the extent of land use and transportation change, were evaluated with extensive public-involvement, including: stakeholder workshops; public open houses; newsletters and a survey distributed to over 14,000 stakeholders; a dedicated web site (www.ny5.org); neighborhood-specific posters, and a PowerPoint Presentation used by community groups and Corridor jurisdictions. The communities elected to move forward with more intensive land use and transportation improvements. CD+A then developed strategies to guide public investment in the Corridor and encourage private investment to revitalize the commercial districts and residential neighborhoods.
In October 2001, the region's MPO adopted the plan, guaranteeing an initial $40 million for construction of streetscape and other corridor improvements. The City of Albany has begun developing specific land use zoning for their portion of the Corridor and they are beginning design for street improvements to a one mile section of the Corridor. The City of Schenectady has begun street improvement for one neighborhood on the Corridor. Ultimately, the communities hope to develop a Corridor-wide business improvement district to shepherd the incremental public and private efforts to implement the Preferred Future Scenario.
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