Governor Andrew Cuomo s Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee Meeting #1 Kick Off An Office of the New York Department of State November 9. 2017
Today s Agenda Overview of DRI Roles and Responsibilities of LPC Consultant Team Schedule Public Engagement Process What are Other Communities Doing DRI Area Vision, Goals, Projects SWOT exercise Next Steps
Overview of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) $100 Million State Investment in 10 downtown neighborhoods nominated by REDCs Strategic Investment Plans will identify projects for potential funding through the DRI, and other projects funded by other public & private resources
Program Goal is to 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 kickstart downtown economic development.
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.
Visions, Goals & Strategies Downtown Vision Guiding framework for the DRI Strategic Investment Plan. Goals Identify conceptual ideas that DRI Plan should address. Priority Projects are organized by Goal to ensure that the DRI Plan addresses core objectives. Strategies Specific outcomes that the DRI Plan should achieve. Strategies can be used to develop metrics to track the impact of Priority Projects.
Key DRI Tasks 2017 2018 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Community Engagement Downtown Profile and Assessment Downtown Vision, Goals, and Strategies Priority Project Profiles Downtown Management and Implementation Final DRI Plan
DRI Project Types Public Improvements New Development and Rehabilitation of Existing Structures Revolving Loan and Grant Funds Branding and Marketing Not Eligible for DRI Two: Planning activities Staff costs Training expenses Program expenses. What other projects, accomplished through other public or private funds, will help achieve the vision?
Roles & Responsibilities of the Local Planning Committee Establish and refine the vision and goals for downtown revitalization Brainstorm ideas, provide direction to consultants at meetings Review draft DRI documents Help implement public engagement process Help to identify projects for the plan Develop and submit DRI Strategic Investment Plan Always Act in the Public Interest
Roles and Responsibilities of New York State Planners DOS Planner: Chris Bauer ESD Planner: Diego Sirianni HCR Planner: Lenny Skrill Governor s Regional Representative: Lori Cornell 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
The Consultant Team State Planning Team C.J.Law Economic & Market conditions Watts Eng. Environmental Servicing Urban Strategies Project Lead Urban Planning & Design Consultation Foit Albert Associates Heritage & Architecture BuroHappold Eng. Mobility Singleton Cost Estimation Local Planning Committee
Urban Strategies
Urban Strategies Troy, NY
Roles & Responsibilities of the Consulting Team Prepare for & staff LPC meetings Prepare for & lead public outreach events Research & study issues Prepare program documents with input from Committee & State Planners Help identify projects & prepare project profiles and analyses that demonstrates feasibility and impact of projects
Project Schedule PHASE 1 Start-up, Engagement & Assessment 2 Goals, Strategies & Projects 3 Priority Project Profiles 4 Downtown Revitalization Plan KEY TASKS Stakeholder interviews Downtown Profile and Assessment Develop long list of projects Refine goals, strategies and projects Identify draft priority projects Prepare draft project profiles Refine project profiles Management and implementation strategies Draft and Final DRI Strategic Investment Plan LPC Meeting Open House CONSULTATION October November December January February March 2017 2018
Public Engagement Process Interviews with community leaders and representatives Public meetings and open houses Workbooks and online materials First Public Engagement Event December 6 th, 6:00pm 8pm Location: JCC
What are other communities doing? Renovating buildings and filling upper floors with work spaces and apartments. Corning, NY Troy, NY
What are other communities doing? Attracting and growing institutions. Cambridge, Ontario Stratford, Ontario
What are other communities doing? Supporting growth in innovation and knowledge-based sectors EMPAC Troy, NY Center of Gravity, Troy, NY
What are other communities doing? Creating and improving public spaces for special events and daily enjoyment. Troy, NY
What are other communities doing? Creating and improving public spaces for special events and daily enjoyment. Guelph, Ontario
What are other communities doing? Reinvigorating old industrial areas with new businesses and space for artists. Asheville, NC
What are other communities doing? Reinvigorating old industrial areas with new businesses and space for artists. North Adams, MA
What are other communities doing? Investing in new cultural and entertainment attractions. Hudson, NY
What are other communities doing? Investing in new cultural and entertainment attractions. Midland, Ontario
What are other communities doing? Getting into the festival business. Traverse City, MI Hamburg, NY
What are other communities doing? Leveraging and building upon recreational assets. Traverse City, MI
What are other communities doing? Leveraging and building upon recreational assets. Ellicottville, NY
DRI Area The DRI program provides an opportunity to explore a range of revitalization projects that can strengthen the downtown and the city as a whole
Vision & Goals for the downtown (Comprehensive Plan) Specialty Retailing More Housing Mixed-Use Vibrant Places to Work and Learn Culture and Entertainment Parks and Trails
DRI Application Projects Manny Hanny Restoration & Reuse Walkable Olean Extension Façade Improvements, Adaptive Reuse Streetscape & Open Space Improvements Business Expansions New Housing
New Project Ideas In order to evaluate projects we will be requesting a range of information. The Request for Project Information form is organized as follows: 1. Project Summary 2. Proponents/Applicants 3. About the Site 4. Proposed Development 5. Cost estimates and Financing Plan 6. Local Impact
An early task is to refine the vision for the downtown Today, we would like to host a Downtown Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats workshop to begin the process of informing the Vision and Goals to Guide Downtown Revitalization
Key downtown Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats Strengths
Key downtown Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats Weaknesses/Challenges
Key downtown Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats Opportunities
Key downtown Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats Threats
Next Steps Complete stakeholder interviews Request Project Information LPC #2 December 5 Share Downtown Profile and Confirm Vision and Goals Public Open House #1 December 6
For more information: https://www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative Thank you