The Albany Waterway Canal, a transformative project with hopes to revitalize downtown Albany’s access to the Hudson River, is moving forward on two fronts.
The first is what a Waterway advocate calls “continued interaction with DOT to gain a strong result in their final report due by year’s end.” The report will focus on engineering issues.
DOT was awarded a $5 millon grant to review ways of reconnecting Albany to the Hudson River. They are expected to issue a report later this year, focused on the engineering challenges faced by altering I-787, by constructing a land bridge over that highway towards the river.
And, in line with the Albany Waterway project, examining the waterway connecting the river into downtown and uncovering the Eastern Terminus of the Erie Canal which includes the 1841 Lock One, the adjacent boat basin, and the weigh lock through which boats were weighed, assessed a toll, and proceeded into the Erie Canal.
The second, is an application to the Empire State Development Corporation for a comprehensive Strategic Planning and Feasibility Study for the Eastern Terminus of the Erie Canal. This is a competitive matching grant, and is expected to become the blueprint for implementing the project by public entities.
The elements of their grant application include detailing financials, securing letters of support, describing their request and proposing the cost for a comprehensive study of the engineering, environmental, social, affordable housing, public private development partnerships, tourism and job creation issues.
Project organizers anticipate the study will cover all aspects of their vision and cost $100,000, an amount they will need to raise in order to secure the 50 percent matching funds.
There plan is to secure these funds through their own resources, events, donations by individuals, and a bridge loan up to the match amount if necessary. Public funding is uncertain and not considered an option for this grant application.
The project has gained the support of Congressman Paul Tonko, Senator Jacob Ashby, Members of Assembly Patricia Fahy and John T. McDonald, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, the NYS Canal Corporation, Discover Albany, Historic Albany Foundation, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, the Advance Albany County Alliance, the Capitol Region Chamber / The Center for Economic Growth, and many local advocates.
Organizers are asking supporters to register their support with the DOT by contacting Robert Rice at Robert.Rice@dot.ny.gov; Greg Wichser at Greg.Wichser@dot.ny.gov; or Kelly Kircher at Kelley.Kircher@dot.ny.gov.
Tax-exempt donations can be sent to Eric Simonds, CERB, Upstate New York, 210 Washington Ave Extension, Suite 201, Albany, New York 12203.
You can watch a short video about the project, with an indepth presentation and plenty of photos here.
For more information visit the Albany Waterway Canal Project website.
New York Almanack will continue to post updates on the project here.
Illustration: A painting by Len Tantillo envisions the marina in front of the D&H Building in the evening (provided by Albany Water Canal Project).
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