An opportunity to check out the Corning Preserve Master Plan
A clip from one of the images laying out concepts in the draft plan.
Albany has a riverfront. It's just that there's not much there. And it's hard to get to what is there.
In attempt to address both those issues the city of Albany is working on a Corning Preserve Master Plan that could serve as a map for improving riverfront amenities and access. And on Tuesday (January 28) there are two public "open houses" at city hall for people to get a look at what's being proposed:
noon-1 pm: lunchtime open house with illustrated displays
4:30 pm-6:30 pm open house with displays, presentations, and opportunities for Q&A
If you're interested in this topic, but can't make the presentations -- or just want to review ahead of time -- there are docs and images related to the master plan posted online (first link above, at the bottom).
Among the ideas proposed in the draft plan: a multi-purpose boathouse with waterfront dining, and "grand staircase" access to the river.
image: Albany 2030
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Comments
Nice.
... said ethan on Jan 27, 2014 at 3:37 PM | link
Too bad the smell of liquefying oil from the Bakkan crude oil will ruin any experience anyone will have on Albany's waterfront.
... said J on Jan 27, 2014 at 3:46 PM | link
So, given the widely acknowledged problem of poor pedestrian connections between downtown and the waterfront, the solution is to cram in more parking? Auto-centric as ever. Even the halfhearted sidewalks end in parking lots.
... said K1 on Jan 27, 2014 at 7:00 PM | link
are those canoes in north pond?
nope just raw sewage.
... said miles on Jan 28, 2014 at 3:09 AM | link
I do love the typo in the flyer, referring to this plan as part of the Impact “Downton†Albany initiative, for I think the waterfront needs exactly just what Downton Abbey worked on for generations on its outdoor estate, which are passionate stewards who are willing to devote time and effort to maintaining and grooming this asset for city residents, the region, and visitors to enjoy. While it is important to think big and harp on the lack of pedestrian access to Albany’s waterfront, we can’t let these concerns drown out the fact that there are hundreds of easy and affordable solutions to beautifying this underutilized asset in the city. Leveraging citizens groups and seeking assistance from the business community (Home Depot is often a willing partner in donating a few thousand to a worthy cause if you are willing to write to them, I’ve done it before) are all simple ways to clean up the waterfront and make it more enjoyable, as we wait for the bigger projects to come online, as the proposed plan helps make a case for.
... said Rich on Jan 28, 2014 at 10:23 AM | link
Some of the snarky comments above is what makes it so frustrating to live here and why so many people leave. If anyone wants to do anything to make this town any better, support it. Take your kid on a kayak ride and have a blast.
The Robert Moses-esque strip of 787 blocking us from the river is the worst, lets tell Impact Downtown to start there. Bummed out about the crude oil plant? Fight it. Think the river is still polluted? Pay homage to Pete Seeger and support clearwater.org. I'd rather the complainers move away and the doers stay. [see the St. Joe's Ravens Head Brewery not-story] My apologies, after listening to Seeger all morning, I guess I'm feeling too optimistic for Albany.
... said A on Jan 28, 2014 at 12:23 PM | link
I've been doing the stump speech for a while, so I'll keep it brief for those that have heard it, but this effort is a great reinforcement of the need to enhance access to the river - to BOTH sides - through the reconstruction of the Livingston Avenue Bridge Walkway when the entire structure in replaced. There's a growing groundswell of support for the walkway, as evidenced by municipal resolutions, but there's a long way to go. For example, Amtrak, DOT, and CSX were asked to speak before the Albany County Legislature Mass Transit Committee last night to provide an update. Not a single one showed up. It's estimated that several million dollars of taxpayer funds will be spent on the project - shouldn't the people paying for it get some information about it's progress AT THE VERY LEAST?
... said daleyplanit on Jan 30, 2014 at 11:23 AM | link