City Begins Neighborhood Revitilization Plan

By Randy Koniowka

The newly formed Brownfield Opportunity Area Steering Committee gathered Wednesday afternoon in what will be the first of many meetings as the group looks to develop a plan for the future of nearly 40% of Cohoes

The Committee, made up of both community members, city officials and representatives of Bergman Associates, met for nearly 2 hours in City Hall setting up the framework for what will be a year long process.

The plan is being funded by the New York State Department of State. The agency has a long history of working with local communities across New York in assisting with neighborhood revitalization efforts. "We have been working with Cohoes for many years," says David McLeod of the NYSDOS. "We pride ourselves in the way we work with local governments in assisting them with realizing their vision."

The plan will focus on the Eastern portion of the city, from Bedford Street and Central Avenue on the West, to Delaware Avenue on the East. This area encompasses most of Downtown, the Lansing Street Neighborhood, and all of Simmons and Van Schaick Islands. Within that large area are two separate study areas. The 787 or Cohoes Boulevard study zone and the Delaware Avenue zone.

Part of the goal of the plan will be to identify parcels of land throughout the study area for possible revitalization. Some of these parcels include the Maton Ship Yard on Deleware Avenue, the old city dump along 787, the former Shanahan Construction on Delaware, and the intersection of Dyke Avenue and 787, site of the former Juntca of the Eire and Champlain Canals.

The plan, however, will also look beyond the study areas, looking at the surrounding neighborhoods and will address issues including housing, infrastructure, economic development, traffic and waterfront access. "The plan will set a direction for Cohoes," says Andrew Raus, a senior planner at Bergman Associates. "Cohoes is very unique and well positioned as people are starting to change the way they live. They are now seeking recreation and well established neighborhoods. The city could have a true rebirth."

Cohoes has not been a stranger when it comes to neighborhood revitalization plans. Over the past 10 years, several plans including the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, the 470 Corridor Study, the Waterfront Land Use Study and the Van Schaick Island Traffic Study have been commissioned to spur revitalization. "We will work off of what those plans put forward," says Community Development Director Ed Tremblay. " We will build off of what they detailed, and in some cases add on to them, because some, like the downtown plan are almost 10 years old."

Over the course of the year, the steering committee will hold many neighborhood and general public meetings to gather input from the community. "It's your community," says Andrew Raus, "we just want to guide you along."

Members of the committee include, David McLeod of NYSDOS, Ed Tremblay, City Planner Melissa Ashline-Heil, City Grants Administrator Carol Shufelt, Senior Center Director Keith Hornbrook, and ward representatives Dean Defruscio, Mike Opalka and John Franier.