MID-MON TGOMERY COUN TY
LOCAL WATERFRON T REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
TOWN OF G LEN V ILLAGE OF FULTON VILLE TOWN OF M OHAWK V ILLAGE OF FON D A
This document was prepared for the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund. MID – MONTGOMERY COUNTY
LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
Prepared for the: Town of Glen Village of Fultonville Town of Mohawk Village of Fonda
FINAL PLAN
FEBRUARY 19, 2009
This document was prepared for the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Consulting services provided by Laberge Group
Laberge Group Project Number 27045
Acknowledgments
The Towns of Glen and Mohawk and the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda would like to recognize and thank the many people and organizations whose assistance has made the completion of this Waterfront Revitalization Program a reality. First and foremost, the communities would like to thank the New York State Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources for guiding the planning process and financing it with an Environmental Protection Fund - Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Grant. The communities would also specifically like to thank the following individuals:
Waterfront Revitalization Advisory Committee
John B. Thomas, Town of Glen Supervisor Robert Headwell Jr., Village of Fultonville Mayor Edward Patton, Town of Mohawk Supervisor Rodney Simonds, Village of Fonda Mayor Sharon Leighton, New York State Canal Corporation Fred Miller, Executive Director, Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission Deborah Auspelmyer, Executive Director, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Tony Bruno, Montgomery County Lions Club Kevin Millington, New York State Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources Ken Rose, Director of Montgomery County Economic Development and Planning Doug Greene, Senior Planner/Project Coordinator, Montgomery County Economic Development and Planning
Town of Glen Town Board
John B. Thomas, Supervisor Ronald Crewell Kirk Field Brent Krohn Henry Shatley
Town of Mohawk Town Board
Edward Patton, Supervisor Nancy Collins Bette Papa Donald Parry
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page i Acknowledgements
Bruce Pavlus
Village of Fonda Board of Trustees
Rodney Simonds, Mayor Rosario Ault Lynn E. Dumar Joseph Ford Robert Galusha
Village of Fultonville Board of Trustees
Robert Headwell Jr., Mayor James Murray Brian Kearns Linda Petterson Lou Romano
Consultants
Laberge Group 4 Computer Drive West Albany, New York 12205
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page ii
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...... vii Project Background and Purpose ...... vii Program Contents ...... vii Summary of Public Participation Process ...... ix What is a Waterfront Revitalization Program? ...... x Program Components and Benefits ...... x Implementing the Program ...... xi Section I. Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary ...... xiii A. Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary Description ...... 1 Section II. Inventory & Analysis ...... 3 A. Previous Local Planning Efforts ...... 4 Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan ...... 4 Town of Mohawk Comprehensive Plan ...... 5 Village of Fultonville Strategic Plan ...... 6 B. Key State, Federal & Regional Agencies and Plans ...... 8 New York State Canal Corporation ...... 8 New York State Canal Recreationway Commission ...... 9 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission ...... 11 Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission ...... 12 NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation ...... 14 NYS Department of State ...... 14 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation ...... 14 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ...... 14 C. Community and Economic Profile ...... 16 Regional Setting ...... 17 Demographic Inventory ...... 18 Population Trends ...... 18 Age Distribution ...... 20 Median Household Income ...... 22 Households Below Poverty Level ...... 23 Household Trends ...... 23 Housing Resources ...... 24
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page iii Table of Contents
Employment Trends ...... 26 Analysis of Supply and Demand ...... 28 D. Cultural Tourism & Recreational Resources ...... 35 Historical & Cultural Resources ...... 36 Historical Overview ...... 36 National Register of Historic Places ...... 38 Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Visitors Center...... 40 The Little Red School House ...... 40 National Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha ...... 41 National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs ...... 41 Recreational Resources ...... 42 Mohawk River & Erie Canal ...... 42 NYS Canal Corporation Property ...... 43 Erie Canalway Trail ...... 44 New York State Bike Route 5 ...... 45 Adirondack Scenic Byway Trail ...... 45 Fonda Fair ...... 45 Fonda Speedway ...... 46 E. Municipal Resources ...... 47 Public Sewage Disposal ...... 47 On-Site Sewage Systems ...... 48 Public Water Supply ...... 49 Village of Fultonville ...... 49 Village of Fonda ...... 50 Private Water Supply ...... 51 Transportation Systems ...... 51 Riverside Drive (Route 920P) ...... 51 New York State Route 5 ...... 53 New York State Route 5S ...... 54 New York State Route 30A ...... 55 Truck Traffic ...... 56 Train Traffic ...... 57 F. Existing Land and Water Use ...... 59 Land Use Patterns ...... 59 Village Main Street Conditions ...... 60 Water Use Patterns ...... 63 Public Access & Public Land Ownership ...... 64
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page iv Table of Contents
Analysis of Existing Land Use in the WRA ...... 65 Land and Water Use Conclusions ...... 69 Existing Zoning ...... 72 Zoning Overview ...... 72 Existing Municipal Zoning District Descriptions ...... 74 Zoning Analysis and Conclusions ...... 75 G. Natural Resources & Environmentally Sensitive Features ...... 76 Geology ...... 77 Topography and Slope ...... 78 Surface Waters ...... 79 Watersheds ...... 79 Mohawk River ...... 81 Town of Mohawk Tributaries ...... 82 Town of Glen Tributaries ...... 83 Floodplains ...... 84 Town of Mohawk & Village of Fonda ...... 84 Town of Glen & Village of Fultonville ...... 86 Flood of 2006 ...... 86 Wetlands ...... 87 Town of Mohawk ...... 87 Town of Glen ...... 88 Rare & Endangered Species and Habitats ...... 88 H. Community Outreach Process ...... 90 Concept Mapping Overview ...... 90 Methodology ...... 91 Results ...... 93 Section III. Plan Recommendations and Proposed Projects ...... 101 Introduction ...... 102 A. Water and Land Use Goals and Projects ...... 103 Organizational and Planning Projects ...... 103 Waterfront and Land Access Projects ...... 104 Other Public Waterfront Access Projects ...... 108 B. Recommended Projects and Strategies for Downtown Access and Revitalization ...... 109 Downtown Access and Revitalization Goals ...... 110 Downtown Access and Revitalization Strategies ...... 110
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page v Table of Contents
Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization ...... 118 Section IV. Implementation Plan...... 122 Implementation Plan ...... 123 Project Timeline ...... 123 Short Term Projects: (Immediate to one year) ...... 124 Organizational and Planning Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC ) ...... 124 Water and Land Use Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC) ...... 124 Downtown Access and Revitalization Projects (Responsible Party: DRSC) ...... 125 Mid-Term Projects (One to three years) ...... 125 Organizational and Planning Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC) ...... 125 Water and Land Use Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC) ...... 125 Downtown Access and Revitalization Strategies (Responsible Party: DRSC) ..... 126 Long Term Projects (Three to five years) ...... 126 Organizational and Planning Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC) ...... 126 Water and Land Use Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC) ...... 126 Downtown Access and Revitalization Strategies (Responsible Party: DRSC) ..... 127 Recommended Partnership Members ...... 127 Potential Funding Opportunities/Sources ...... 128 Appendices Appendix A: Retail Market Place Profile Appendix B: Concept Mapping Process Workshop Materials Appendix C: Concept Mapping Results Reports
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page vi
Executive Summary
Project Background and Purpose
The Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) includes the Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville located in the central area of Montgomery County. (See Map 1: Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Focus Area Boundary) To date, all of the partnering municipalities, except Fonda, have composed their own comprehensive plans reflective of the individual visions for their respective communities. Many of the proposed goals are similar in nature, and it was realized that some would be further strengthened if these goals were promoted at an inter-municipal level. The LWRP intends to redefine, balance, and enhance the goals of these communities by creating a regional vision backed by strong commitment from the involved Villages and Towns.
The NYSDOS Department of Coastal Resources agreed to revise the scope of the LWRP to focus on a few key areas, which include enhancing public waterfront access opportunities, revitalizing downtown areas, protecting community character, and improving the ability of communities to take advantage of canal-related tourism. The Program has been conceived as a revitalization strategy that offers suggestions for projects that will accomplish the proposed goals. Goals and recommendations have been formulated based on an extensive public participation process and the input of professional expertise from Laberge Group consultants, Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and Planning, NYS Canal Corporation, NYS Department of State Division of Coastal Resources, and the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission.
Program Contents
The LWRP is comprised of four major sections, including the Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary Description, the Introduction, the Inventory and Profile and the Recommended Land & Water Uses & Proposed Projects section.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page vii Executive Summary
The Introduction provides background material related to the development of the LWRP, including descriptions of previous planning efforts, regional planning entities and plans that have influenced and will continue to influence the area, and an explanation about the implementation of the Program. The Introduction also provides further details public participation methods used in the development of this Program, including an innovative approach known as Concept Mapping.
The Community and Economic Profile describes the regional setting in terms of geographic location, history, and the demographic profile of the WRA. Most of the quantitative information is contained in this section.
The Cultural Tourism & Recreational Resources section focuses on the opportunity to develop the LWRP WRA into a viable tourist destination by building on existing tourism and cultural resources as well as creating new amenities and attractions. Both destinations and events are discussed.
The Municipal Resources section describes both the public and private sewer and water systems that are utilized in the Towns and Villages. Involved agencies, costs, needs, and usage are all discussed. This section also explores the WRA‟s transportation systems by focusing on the existing main routes in addition to current transportation challenges.
The Existing Land and Water Use section utilizes GIS data to analyze the percentage and acreage of land designated for specific land uses, as well as studying existing zoning regulations and maps to understand what types of uses are permitted throughout the WRA.
The Natural Resources & Environmentally Sensitive Features section provides a detailed report of the geology, topography, surface waters, floodplains, wetlands, and rare and endangered species found in the WRA. The implications of these findings are discussed at length.
The Proposed Land and Water Uses and Proposed Projects section includes the goals and recommendations that have been developed for this Program. The Goals and recommendations focus on three main areas including economic revitalization, waterfront access improvements, and preservation of community character.
The Implementation Strategies section details how the goals and recommendations can be translated into reality by seeking funding in the form of grants available at a State and federal level.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page viii Executive Summary
Summary of Public Participation Process
Like all communities, in order for the Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville to remain socially and economically sustainable, they must respond to changing conditions. The foundation of a quality Local Waterfront Revitalization Program is the incorporation of public input early and often throughout the planning process. In order to develop an action plan built upon public consensus on key issues and common goals, receiving feedback from the communities elected and appointed leaders, business owners, and residents is imperative to the planning process.
Much of the background information and issue identification has already been completed through traditional participation techniques during previous planning processes. Laberge Group has utilized this information for the development of goals and recommendations; however, in order to further investigate current challenges and potential solutions, Laberge Group engaged the public using new methods during the LWRP planning process.
An innovative new technique known as Concept Mapping (CM) was employed by the Laberge Group, which represents an inclusive, confidential and participatory process with detailed quantitative data and graph analyses in order to achieve consensus among the participants and to easily set project priorities. Two CM sessions were held for the public where a detailed explanation and support was provided by Laberge Group; however, many CM surveys were completed by residents who could not attend the meetings but could still complete the survey independently. Additional CM packages were made available at the Chamber of Commerce booth of the Fonda Fair, and were hand-delivered to many business–owners in the WRA. The results of the CM process are in Section II-H, the Community Outreach Process section.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page ix
Introduction
What is a Waterfront Revitalization Program?
A Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) is a locally prepared, land and water use plan and strategy for a community's or communities natural, public, working, or developed waterfront through which critical issues are addressed. In partnership with the Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources, a municipality or a group of municipalities develops a community vision regarding the future of its waterfront and serves to establish a consensus between the involved municipalities and the State on actions needed to manage and revitalize local waterfront properties.
Program Components and Benefits
The LWRP brings together the four communities and develops a cohesive, shared vision for enhancing development opportunities along the waterfront of the Mohawk River. The Program provides a revitalization strategy and directs the implementation of projects focusing on the community waterfronts and creating connectivity to the “main streets”, thereby offering opportunities for economic development and growth. Since the Towns and Villages maintain shared interests and complimentary resources, they have prepared a common program that enables each to benefit from collaboration and the strengths of their neighbors.
The LWRP focuses on the most critical issues facing the local waterfront including:
Enhancing public waterfront access opportunities,
Revitalization of downtowns,
Protection of community character,
Improving the ability of the communities to take advantage of canal-related tourism.
Numerous benefits are provided by the development of an LWRP, which include clear direction, technical assistance and financial assistance. A clear direction developed as a community-created consensus about its future vision. Maintaining a clear direction will increase the efficiency and ability of the communities to attract appropriate development that respects their unique cultural and natural characteristics. Technical assistance is also essential for the goals of the LWRP to become reality. Partnerships among local
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page x Introduction governments, community organizations, and the State were established during the program development phases, which will ensure that the LWRP will continue to receive the necessary technical support in the future. Finally, since the LWRP represents a unified vision, communities have much better chances to obtain both public and private funding for projects that reflect the goals written in the LWRP.
Implementing the Program
The approval of the LWRP is only the beginning. The mere statements of goals and strategies of this Program will not produce the desired results unless the Towns and Villages implement the concepts through land use regulations, project prioritization, public investment and further cooperation, the formation of partnerships with one another and with State agencies.
Once the LWRP is approved, the Town Boards and Village Boards should appoint a joint Implementation Committee to review the Program‟s goals, and recommend actions that each member‟s respective municipally and/or interest group should pursue. This Implementation Committee should advise the respective Town and Village Boards on implementation priorities and liaison with other Village and Town bodies, such as Planning Boards and Zoning Boards, in order to ensure that programs and recommendations are implemented. The Implementation Committee should also stay informed and keep the local legislative boards informed of the availability of funding sources for particular projects.
The New York State Environmental Protection Fund is the State‟s first permanent fund dedicated to addressing a broad range of environmental and community development needs. Under this program, the NYS Department of State provides grants to eligible municipalities for planning, design, feasibility studies, and construction projects that advance preparation or implementation of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. On an annual basis, the Department of State solicits grant applications from local governments for 50/50 matching grants from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. 1
During an open application cycle, the Department of State solicits proposals in the following grant categories:
Urban Waterfront Redevelopment
1 NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources website, http://nyswaterfronts.com/grantopps.asp
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page xi Introduction
Preparing or implementing a water body/watershed management plan
Coastal education and NYSCRIP signage programs
Community visioning and development of revitalization strategies
Completing or implementing a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Creating a Blueway Trail
In addition to the Environmental Protection Fund grants, there are many other grant programs through other State agencies, including, but not limited to, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Canal Corporation, Department of Transportation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Environmental Facilities Corporation's (EFC), Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the Governor's Office for Small Cities (GOSC), private foundations and non-profit organizations that are further discussed in the Implementation Plan.
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Section I. Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary
A. Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary Description
One of the first decisions made by the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) was to agree upon a project boundary. In general terms, the WAC wanted to include both of the villages for the purpose of economic revitalization and then areas of the surrounding Towns of Mohawk and Glen, primarily along the plains of the Mohawk River a few miles to the west and east.
More specifically, the Mid-Montgomery County Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) includes all of the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville and portions of the Towns of Mohawk and Glen as follows:
Town of Mohawk: The northern boundary of the WRA in the Town of Mohawk extends approximately 1,200 feet from the northern boundary of the Village of Fonda. The western boundary extends 2 miles along a strip of land roughly 1,800 feet wide centered by New York State Route 5. The eastern portion of the WRA in Mohawk extends 2 miles following New York State Route 5 along a strip of land approximately 1,200 feet wide. The southern boundary of the WRA in Mohawk is the center of the Mohawk River.
Town of Glen: The southern boundary of the WRA in the Town of Glen is approximately 1,000 feet from the southern boundary of the Village of Fultonville, the western boundary extends a mile and a half to the west along a 1,500 feet wide strip of land that includes the New York State Thruway, State Route 5S and the Canalway Trail. The Eastern part of the WRA in the Town of Glen extends a mile and a half to the east and averages 1,700 feet wide and includes the New York State Thruway, State Route 5S and the Canalway Trail. The northern boundary of the WRA in the Town of Glen is the middle of the Mohawk River.
The Mid-Montgomery County WRA has a total area of 3,756.9 acres. (See Map 1: Mid- Montgomery County LWRP Focus Area Boundary for a graphical representation of the WRA.)
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 1
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Section II. Inventory & Analysis
A. Previous Local Planning Efforts
Highlights
In 2000, the Town of Glen Planning Board, with the assistance of Montgomery County Department of Planning and Development, adopted the Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan after a five-year planning process.
The Town of Mohawk Planning Board and the Montgomery County Department of Planning and Development cooperatively completed the Town of Mohawk Comprehensive Plan in April of 2001.
The development of the Village of Fultonville Community Development Strategic Plan began after the Village was awarded a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant. The plan was completed in 2006. Key goals included in the Village of Fultonville’s Strategic Plan were to “Form local organizations with the authority and ability to oversee the implementation of the Strategic Plan” and “Strengthen and diversify the economic base of the Village”.
The Town of Glen and Mohawk Comprehensive Plans shared the following goals in common: Preserve the natural environment, Preserve the Town’s rural character and open spaces, Cooperate with the Town’s adjacent municipalities and with Montgomery County, Encourage and preserve traditional farming, Enhance the recreational and cultural opportunities in the Town, and Maintain and enhance the aesthetics of the Town.
The Village of Fonda does not have a Comprehensive Plan or Community Development Strategic Plan.
Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan
The Town of Glen Planning Board, with the assistance of Montgomery County Department of Planning and Development, prepared a Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Glen. The plan was adopted on July 10, 2000 after a five-year planning process that began in 1995. The Planning Board conducted a community survey, held public workshops in October 1996 and December 1999 to gather residents‟ opinions on the Town‟s past problems, present issues and a future vision. Existing environmental and
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 4 II. Inventory and Analysis social conditions were inventoried and analyzed. The Board formulated goals, objectives and recommendations using the results of the survey and public workshops.
The 2000 Comprehensive Plan is divided into 7 major chapters: Chapter 1: Historical and Regional Overview, Chapter 2: Natural Setting, Chapter 3: Socio-Economic Resources, Chapter 4: Goals Formulation, Chapter 5: Goals, Objectives and Implementation Tasks, Chapter 7: Adopting and Updating the Plan. In addition to these chapters, the comprehensive plan contains the survey results, a series of GIS maps, graphs and tables that represent Town data, and historic lithographs and pictures of the Town.
The major goals and objectives of the Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan include:
Goal 1: Preserve and enhance the Town‟s farming operations and agricultural lands.
Goal 2: Preserve the natural environment.
Goal 3: Employ viable Town initiatives to foster economic development.
Goal 4: Enhance and encourage preservation of the Town‟s Historic Character.
Goal 5: Promote local and regional tourism.
Goal 6: Preserve the Town‟s rural character and open spaces.
Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the aesthetics of the Town.
Goal 8: Enhance the recreational and cultural opportunities in the Town.
Goal 9: Cooperate with the Town‟s adjacent municipalities and with Montgomery County.
Goal 10: Continue an open dialogue on the future of the Town of Glen.
Town of Mohawk Comprehensive Plan
The process for developing a comprehensive plan for the Town of Mohawk began late in 1996 when the Town Board authorized the Planning Board to write a plan. The Planning Board and the Montgomery County Department of Planning and Development cooperatively completed the plan in April of 2001.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 5 II. Inventory and Analysis
After contacting the Montgomery County Department of Planning and Development, the Planning Board initiated the public participation process by creating and distributing a survey to all landowners in the Town. One public hearing was also held during this planning process. Information gathered from public participation, coupled with information of the Town‟s history, natural resources, economic profile and demographic profile were used by the Planning Board to formulate the following goals:
Goal 1: To preserve the Town‟s rural character and open spaces.
Goal 2: Improve infrastructure and community facilities.
Goal 3: Recognize the waterfront as a unique asset to the community.
Goal 4: To preserve the natural environment.
Goal 5: Encourage and preserve traditional farming.
Goal 6: Enhance and encourage preservation of the Town‟s historical character.
Goal 7: Provide for orderly growth and development.
Goal 8: Maintain and enhance the aesthetics of the Town.
Goal 9: Continue an open dialogue on the future of the Town of Mohawk.
Goal 10: To develop and enhance recreation areas for the Town‟s residents.
Goal 11: Cooperate with Town‟s adjacent municipalities and with Montgomery County.
Village of Fultonville Strategic Plan
The development of the Community Development Strategic Plan began in February 2005, when the Village of Fultonville was awarded a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant for Technical Assistance for the preparation of a plan to coordinate efforts to revitalize the economy of the Village.
In early spring 2005, the Village Board appointed the Advisory Committee after determining the best way to proceed with the plan. The Advisory Committee was created with the intent of representing a large cross section of the Fultonville business community, including members of the Village Board, residents, and business owners with a wide range of personal experiences.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 6 II. Inventory and Analysis
After reviewing the results of a survey, the public workshops, and the background studies conducted for this plan, the Advisory Committee developed the recommended and strategies for the future. These recommendations and strategies build on the assets of the community and capitalize on the many opportunities that were identified during the planning process. The goals represent the best summary of the Plan and are listed below.
Goal 1: Form local organizations with the authority and ability to oversee the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
Goal 2: Strengthen and diversify the economic base of the Village.
Goal 3: Improve the physical conditions of the business district.
Goal 4: Improve the physical conditions of the existing housing stock and provide diverse housing options.
Goal 5: Improve and enhance unique community assets.
Goal 6: Preserve and enhance local historic resources.
Goal 7: Improve the appearance and economic vitality of the business district.
Goal 8: Improve and enhance the transportation system for the safety, convenience and efficiency of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Goal 9: Perform a more in-depth study of the transportation issues of Route 5S.
Goal 10: Perform a more in-depth study of the transportation issues of Route 30A.
Goal 11: Perform a more in-depth study of the transportation issues of Riverside Drive.
Goal 12: Develop a multi-faceted marketing program to promote the Village of Fultonville and its unique local resources.
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B. Key State, Federal & Regional Agencies and Plans
Highlights
The New York State Canal Corporation is responsible for maintaining and managing the New York State Canal System, in addition to promoting the communities that border the canals.
The New York State Canal Recreationway Commission oversaw the completion of the New York State Canal Recreationway Plan and is now focused on the implementation of this plan.
The Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor Commission prepared the Preservation and Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Erie Canalway.
New York State canals began receiving greater attention in 2000 when the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act was adopted by Congress, acting as legislation that affirms a national interest in the preservation and interpretation of the Corridor’s important historic, cultural, recreational, educational, scenic and natural resources.
The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission (MVHCC) is one of 19 State Heritage Areas created pursuant to the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law. All commission programs are focused on both community development and tourism in order to revitalize local communities while attracting new investment to the area.
Additional State and Federal agencies that play an important role in the development of communities surrounding the canals include the NYS Department of State, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Army Corps of Engineers.
New York State Canal Corporation
The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority that is responsible for maintaining and managing the New York State Canal System, including the navigation channel, infrastructure, the towpaths that now make up a portion of the Canalway Trail and other properties.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 8 II. Inventory and Analysis
The Canal Corporation is committed to preserving the legacy of New York‟s canals and revitalizing the communities that were established as the canal system began to grow more than 175 years ago. The Corporation promotes the canals and the communities that border them as tourist destinations and provides useful information for visitors planning a trip to the area. Maps, cruising guides and canal passes can all be purchased on the corporation‟s website. In addition, the Canal Corporation chairs the Canal Recreationway Commission, described below, to develop working partnerships between State and the local communities that are located along the canal corridor.
The Section 3 Canal Maintenance Facility is located in the Village of Fonda and employs thirty (30) maintenance workers and lock operators. It is the only maintenance facility along the canal that has the type of shop needed to repair the bottom canal gates. The facility uses the canal wall to load and un-load repaired and new gates onto barges for shipment.
New York State Canal Recreationway Commission
The New York State Canal Recreationway Commission was created by the New York State Legislature in 1992. The Canal Recreationway Commission is chaired by the Canal Corporation and is comprised of 24 members including State agencies, such as the Departments of Transportation, Environmental Conservation, Department of State, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, regional planners and at-large members.
Upon its formation, the Commission was instructed to develop a conceptual framework for fostering the development of the Canal System into a recreationway system. The Commission oversaw the completion of the New York State Canal Recreationway Plan and is now focused on the implementation of this plan. Key components of the Plan include:
1. Rehabilitation of canal infrastructure,
2. The development of facilities and services for recreational boaters across the system,
3. The development of a pedestrian trail adjacent to the canal, and
4. Improved marketing of the canal system as a recreational asset.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 9 II. Inventory and Analysis
The planning process that ensued began with two initial studies, which included a canal system inventory and a study of tourism and marketing potential of the canal system. Eleven total consulting organizations were contracted to provide technical support and develop the Plan. The Commission developed goals and recommendations during the beginning stages of Plan development, which were used to inform consultant groups about the Commissions intentions. Thirteen policy and recommendation areas were outlined by the Commission and later revised to be included within the Plan. The final goals are outlined below and best summarize the Plan‟s objectives.
Goal 1: Criteria for uses of the Canal System which will effectuate the goal and objective of developing the Canal into a recreationway system.
Goal 2: Provisions fostering a Canal System characterized by clusters of development connected by stretches of undeveloped open space in areas between cities, villages and hamlets which will be conducive to the preservation of waterfowl, fish and wildlife habitats.
Goal 3: Provisions for the consideration of environmental resources, including significant fresh-water wetlands and lands which possess significance for purposes of wildlife management, recreation or natural resource protection.
Goal 4: Provisions which protect the public interest in such lands and water for purposes of commerce, navigation, fishing, hunting, bathing, recreation and access to the lands and waters of the State, and otherwise encourage increased public access to the Canal through the establishment of parks, scenic byways and recreational trails on the Canal System. Such provisions shall ensure public safety.
Goal 5: Provisions to protect agricultural uses of canal land and waters.
Goal 6: Provisions for development of businesses in appropriate locations which will support outdoor recreation activities.
Goal 7: Provisions to protect the interest of commercial shipping on the Canal System.
Goal 8: Provisions for the preservation and enhancement of historic buildings, sites and districts, as well as encouraging the use of historic buildings, sites and districts listed on, or eligible for the State or National Registers of Historic Places.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 10 II. Inventory and Analysis
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is one of 37 federally designated National Heritage Areas. Its purpose is to help preserve and interpret the historical, natural, scenic, and recreational resources reflecting its national significance and to help foster revitalization of canal-side communities. The Corridor includes the 524 miles of navigable canal that compromises the New York State Canal System, including the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego and Champlain Canals, plus the 234 cities, towns, and villages that lie immediately adjacent to the waterway. The corridor is of 4,834 square miles and travels through 23 counties.
The Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor Commission is a 27-member, community-based federal commission, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior based on recommendations by the Governor of New York and the Corridor‟s Congressional delegation. The Commission includes the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, seven New York State agency representatives, including the New York State Canal Corporation, 11 members recommended by the members of Congress whose districts encompass the Corridor, 2 members recommended by New York‟s U.S. Senators, and 6 at-large community representatives who live in any county constituting the Corridor, with one member who has knowledge and experience of the New York State Canal Recreationway Commission. The National Park Service is also involved with the commission, providing one full-time executive director and professional staff to assist the commission with implementing its goals.
The mission of the Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor Commission is to plan for, encourage, and assist historic preservation, conservation, recreation, interpretation, tourism, and community development along the Erie Canalway Corridor in a manner that promotes partnerships among the Corridor's many stakeholders, and reflects, celebrates, and enhances the corridor's national significance for all to use and enjoy.2
One of its largest recent projects reflecting this mission was preparing the Preservation and Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Erie Canalway. New York State canals began receiving greater attention in 2000 when the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act was adopted by Congress, acting as legislation that affirms a
2 The Erie Canalway Mission Page. http://www.eriecanalway.org/mission.asp
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 11 II. Inventory and Analysis national interest in the preservation and interpretation of the Corridor‟s important historic, cultural, recreational, educational, scenic and natural resources. The ECNHC realized that developing a plan to guide commissions and organizations with vested interest in the canal system was a necessary step to ensure this mission was carried out.3
The Management Plan links regional and community development with heritage and cultural tourism. The plan identifies a set of goals and actions that can be used to assist local communities with making heritage tourism accessible, persuasive and logical. The goals that were developed best summarize the Plan and are enumerated below:
Goal 1: The Corridor‟s historic and distinctive sense of place will be widely expressed and consistently protected.
Goal 2: The Corridor‟s natural resources will reflect the highest standards of environmental quality.
Goal 3: The Corridor‟s recreation opportunities will achieve maximum scope and diversity, in harmony with the protection of heritage resources.
Goal 4: Economic growth and heritage development in the Corridor will be balanced and self-sustaining.
Goal 5: The Corridor will be a „must-do‟ travel experience for regional, national and international visitors.
Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission
The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission (MVHCC) is a public benefit corporation that was created by the New York State Legislature in 1997 to improve historic preservation, recreation, education, and the economic future of the Mohawk Valley region. The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission (MVHCC) is one of 19 State Heritage Areas created pursuant to the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law. The Heritage Areas System was created to preserve, protect, and
3 The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission Home Page. http://www.eriecanalway.org/
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 12 II. Inventory and Analysis promote the heritage of the State. MVHCC‟s three main objectives include building regional identity, strengthening historic sites and stories, and developing the region as a leisure destination for area residents, vacationers and heritage tourists worldwide. The Commission and staff act as facilitators, partnership brokers, information providers and keepers of the region-wide vision.
All commission programs are focused on both community development and tourism in order to revitalize local communities while attracting new investment to the area. The region is rich in history and culture, which offers substantial economic development and community building opportunities. (The Travel Industry of America has found that visitors to cultural and historic attractions are more likely to stay longer, spend more money, and travel longer distances than other types of leisure travelers.4) Realizing the opportunity this affords, the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission helps create tourist destinations and programs to improve local economies throughout the region.
MVHCC‟s programs broadly include preparing publications, improving and maintaining area signage, and developing scenic byways. Currently, MVHCC publishes a regional map targeted for the car traveler, which is available at stores, hotels, restaurants, museums, historic sites and information centers. The Commission plans to publish thematic tour booklets, bike route maps, audiotapes and regional guidebooks in the future. Another task undertaken by MVHCC in partnership with respective corridor communities including Amsterdam, Little Falls and Waterford, was the creation of a standard design grid to be used for interpretive signs, wayside exhibits, trail markers, and orientation kiosks. The design grid recommends the use of a certain type and style of sign in designated areas according to its intended function. MVHCC and its respective corridor communities created this program to allow tourists to explore the area with as much ease as possible.
In addition to its publications and signage responsibilities, the MVHCC also promotes and supports scenic byways throughout the region. A scenic byway is a road corridor that is of regionally outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, cultural, historic or archaeological importance. These scenic byways create alternative travel routes that allow visitors to appreciate the region‟s cultural heritage and beauty. Currently, MVHCC
4 “The Empire State Experience: Cultural & Heritage Tourism = Diversity and Dollars” (see Fultonville Red Rope research).
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 13 II. Inventory and Analysis is working on two scenic byway projects which include the Mohawk Towpath byway, linking Waterford to Schenectady, and the Revolutionary Trail, linking Schenectady to Port Ontario.5
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) also plays an important role in the continued use of the Canal System by operating and maintaining park and recreation facilities and historical sites along the canal. Eight parks and four historic sites along the Erie Canal are operated by the NYSOPRHP. The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation also provides grants to local governments for park, historic preservation, and heritage development projects. (See Section II-D for additional information on local Cultural Tourism and Recreational Resources).
NYS Department of State
The NYS Department of State provides a variety of technical and financial assistance programs to local governments. Through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, which is administered by the Division of Coastal Resources, communities prepare strategies to manage waterfront resources which establish a consensus between local and State agencies on actions needed to revitalize local waterfronts. The Environmental Protection Fund provides grants to municipalities to prepare and implement LWRPs.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
The NYS Department Environmental Conservation (DEC) also represents an important entity involved with the maintenance and protection of the canal system. Specifically, the Department regulates dredging, conducts water quality control, and oversees the protection of wildlife and natural resources.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Many responsibilities and tasks associated with the protection and upkeep of the NYS canal system are held and carried out by multiple entities, including canal dredging. In cooperation with the NYS DEC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also regulates canal-
5 The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission Official Site. http://www.mvhcc.org/.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 14 II. Inventory and Analysis dredging projects. The DEC claims greater responsibility for the administration of projects while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contributes greater technical expertise to this process.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 15
C. Community and Economic Profile
Highlights
Between 1990 and 2000, the population decreased by 19.56% in the Village of Fonda and 1.86% in the Town of Mohawk. It is projected that both the Town and Village will continue to gradually decrease or remain stable through 2011.
Between 1990 and 2000, the population in the Town of Glen increased by 13.95% and by 7.90% in the Village of Fultonville. Both the Town and Village are projected to continue growing slowly through 2011.
The median age of the study area communities ranges from 35.4 years to 38.1 years.
Montgomery County has a large percentage of residents ages 65 and over at 19.2%, compared to the statewide percentage of only 12.8%. The majority of these older residents reside in the Village of Fonda.
The Village of Fonda showed the lowest median income in 2000 at $26,314 while the Town of Glen showed the highest at $41,043. New York State median income is $43,582.
All communities within the WRA have a lower percentage of households living below poverty level than the statewide rate of 13.9%; however, at 12.4% the Village of Fonda closely follows the State poverty level.
The un-employment rate for Montgomery County in October 2007 was 4.6%, only slightly higher than the statewide un-employment rate of 4.4% as of November 2007.
The Villages of Fultonville and Fonda have a relatively older housing stock when compared to the State and neighboring communities. Housing units constructed before 1969 represent 85.1% and 77.8% of the building stock in these Villages, respectively.
The median housing value in the study area is significantly lower than the State average. Housing value ranges from $46,583 in the Village of Fonda to $74,248 in the Town of Glen, while the State median value is $147,596.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 16 II. Inventory and Analysis
Residents of the towns of Glen and Mohawk are employed largely in Management and Professional Services occupations, at 28.5% and 34.4% respectively, while Office and Administration positions and Production/Transportation/Materials occupations represent the leading jobs in the Village of Fultonville (24.5%) and the Village of Fonda (26.9%).
According to an analysis of supply and demand, industry groups currently demonstrating potential for new business development in the Town of Mohawk and Village of Fonda include electronics & appliances, health & personal care stores, clothing & clothing accessories, and motor vehicle & parts stores.
Industry groups currently demonstrating potential for new business development in the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville include motor vehicle & parts dealers, furniture & home furnishings stores, electronics & appliances stores, food & beverage stores, health & personal care stores, clothing & clothing accessories stores, sporting goods/hobby/book/music stores, general merchandise stores and non-store retailers.
Regional Setting
The Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda are respectively located on the north and south shores of the Mohawk River in Montgomery County, about 45 miles northwest of Albany. Surrounding municipalities include the Town of Amsterdam, Town of Johnstown (Fulton County), Town of Palatine and the Town of Charleston.
The Mohawk River is a major water feature that runs through all of the involved communities. The Mohawk River is coterminous with the Erie Canal in this location, connecting to Lake Erie in the west and the Hudson River in the east. The river and Erie Canal have provided the involved communities with waterpower and employment since the early 1800s. The New York State Thruway runs along the south side of the river. With access via Exit 28, the Thruway offers a major commuter route to the Capital Region. The location on the New York Thruway, the Mohawk River, and the railroad are major assets for business and industry within the involved communities.
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Economic and population decline in the Mohawk Valley region in the last half-century has spurned discussion on revitalizing the waterfront to promote economic development and reinvigorate area communities. Waterfront revitalization includes the planning and implementation of strategies designed to improve local economy, community identity, quality of life, and to protect natural resources including waterways, wetlands, and habitats.
Demographic Inventory
This section provides information about the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) under a variety of subject headings, outlining the region‟s current social, physical and economic conditions. By examining the population, housing and employment trends, recommendations can be made concerning the future land use and socioeconomic make- up of the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA). In addition to data from the Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville provided in this section, comparisons to Montgomery County and the State of New York have been made when appropriate. These comparisons will provide the necessary context required to assimilate an understanding of past and future estimated growth patterns for the participating communities and the waterfront area as a whole.
The information has been compiled utilizing data from the 1990 United States Census, 2000 Census Population and Housing, and ESRI forecasts for 2006 and 2011. The data presented is the most up to date available at the time of printing and sources have been documented under each table and chart. Most data is from the 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census. Population projections were obtained from ESRI Business Information Solutions.
Population Trends
Local population growth or decline is often dependent upon several factors, including economic expansion, environmental capacity, housing suitability, varying generational needs, and overall regional desirability. The Towns of Mohawk and Glen, Villages of Fonda and Fultonville, Montgomery County, and New York State have been experiencing both positive and negative population trends in recent years. Table 1 below shows that the populations in the Town of Mohawk and Village of Fonda have decreased by 1.86% and 19.56%, respectively, between 1990 and 2000. By 2011 it is projected that both the Town and Village will continue to experience a decreasing population; however, the rate at which this happens in the Town is projected to increase while the Village population is projected to decline more slowly than in the previous decade.
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Table 1: Population Growth %Change Municipality 1990 2000 2006 2011 1990-2000 Village of Fultonville 658 710 735 743 7.90% Village of Fonda 1,007 810 793 790 -19.56% Town of Glen 1,950 2,222 2,301 2,327 13.95% Town of Mohawk 3,976 3,902 3,706 3,678 -1.86% Montgomery County 51,981 49,708 49,546 48,618 -4.37% New York State 17,990,455 18,976,457 19,532,703 19,953,521 10.91% Source: 1990 & 2000 U.S. Census, Projections: ESRI Business Information Solutions
On the south shore of the river in the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville, the opposite trends are observed. Between 1990 and 2000, the Town grew by 13.95% while the Village experienced a 7.90% increase in population. Both the Town and Village are projected to continue growing through 2011 although the rate at which this occurs in these communities will be slower than the previous decade.
Figure 1: Population Growth and Projections
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0 1990 2000 2006 2011 Village of Fultonville Village of Fonda Town of Glen Town of Mohawk
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 19 II. Inventory and Analysis
Montgomery County as a whole proves to have a steadily decreasing population according to Table 1, showing a population decline of 4.37% between 1990 and 2000. The County‟s population is projected to continue decreasing more slowly through 2011. Conversely, New York State‟s overall population has been growing in recent years, showing an increase of 5.48% between 1990 and 2000 and the population is projected to steadily continue growing through 2011.
Age Distribution
An examination of the trends in age distribution is an important factor in the creation of a revitalization strategy. Understanding this characteristic of the population informs program development in the area to be revitalized.
Comparing the median age within each population in the involved municipalities is a helpful introduction to understanding the age distribution respective to each. Figure 2 reveals that Montgomery County has the highest median age at 39.6 years, while the Village of Fultonville shows the lowest at 35.4 years. The remaining communities and State are spread fairly equally between these extremes. Although the Village of Fultonville proves to have the lowest median age, the Village of Fonda closely follows at 35.7 years, demonstrating that the youngest median populations live closest to the Mohawk River.
Figure 2: Median Age
Median Age Comparison
New York State 35.9
Montgomery County 39.6
Town of Mohawk 38.1 Town of Glen 37.1 Village of Fonda 35.7 Village of Fultonville 35.4
33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 20 II. Inventory and Analysis
As depicted in Table 2, the population between the ages of 25 and 54 are very similar for all involved communities, with the Village of Fonda at 41.2% and the Village of Fultonville at 39.9%. The towns of Mohawk and Glen also have similar proportions of residents between the ages of 25 and 54, with 44.9% in the Town of Glen and 43.4% in the Town of Mohawk, while the statewide proportion between the ages of 25 and 54 is 44.2%. At 19.2%, Montgomery County has a very large number of residents ages 65 and over, compared to the statewide percentage of only 12.8%. At 19%, the Village of Fonda also has a large proportion of residents age 65 and over, while the Town of Glen has the lowest proportion of 65 and over residents, at 13.4%. See Table 2.
Table 2: 2000 Age Distribution Comparison Village of Village of Town of Town of Mont. NYS Fultonville Fonda Glen Mohawk Co. Male 46.6% 45.2% 52.3% 48.5% 47.8% 46.6% Female 53.4% 54.8% 47.7% 51.5% 52.2% 53.4% Under 5 4.9% 6.0% 5.0% 5.7% 5.9% 6.5% 5 to 9 8.9% 8.5% 7.5% 7.2% 6.8% 7.1% 10 to 14 8.3% 6.5% 8.1% 7.8% 7.3% 7.0% 15 to 19 8.0% 7.8% 7.8% 8.0% 6.7% 6.8% 20 to 24 7.0% 4.6% 5.5% 4.1% 4.9% 6.6% 25 to 34 12.1% 15.4% 12.6% 12.1% 11.6% 14.5% 35 to 44 14.8% 12.7% 17.0% 16.0% 14.7% 16.2% 45 to 54 13.0% 13.1% 15.3% 15.4% 13.8% 13.5% 55 to 64 8.5% 6.3% 8.0% 9.4% 9.0% 8.9% 65 to 74 6.6% 8.4% 7.2% 7.8% 8.5% 6.7% 75 to 84 5.9% 7.8% 5.0% 5.0% 7.7% 4.5% 85 and over 2.0% 2.8% 1.2% 1.3% 3.0% 1.6% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: U.S. Census 2000
Females make up a substantially larger portion of the population in all communities including the County and State except for the Town of Glen. Within this community females represent only 47.7% of the population. The percentage is significantly higher in the Village of Fultonville (53.4%), the Village of Fonda (54.8%) and the Town of Mohawk (51.5%). The County and State‟s populations are 52.2% and 53.4% female respectively.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 21 II. Inventory and Analysis
Median Household Income
Income is often co-dependent with education, skill levels, and employment opportunities. As seen in Figure 3 below, the median household income for both villages was lower than the respective towns they are located within the WRA. The south side of the Mohawk River, represented by the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville, proves to be more prosperous than the north side. In 2000, the median income for the Town of Glen was $41,043, while in the Village of Fultonville it was nearly $10,000 less at $32,670. The Town of Mohawk showed a median income of $38,406 in 2000 while that of the Village of Fonda, was approximately $12,000 less at $26,314. There is clearly an economic development opportunity for the villages to attract wealthier outside patrons to future waterfront businesses. New York State showed the highest median income in 2000 at $43,582, reflecting the higher wages prevalent in New York City, the Capital District, and other large urban areas.
Figure 3: 2000 Median Household Income
$38,408 $43,582 $45,000 $41,043
$40,000 $32,670 $32,235 $35,000 $26,314 $30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $0 Village of Village of Fonda Town of Glen Town of Montgomery New York State Fultonville Mohawk County
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
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Households Below Poverty Level
Another indicator of a community‟s economic status is the percent of its population that is living in poverty. According to the 2000 Census, the largest percentage of households living below poverty level was 12.4% in the Village of Fonda, which also has the lowest median income level. See Figure 4. The Town of Mohawk showed the next highest level of poverty at 10.1%, while the percentage of households living below the poverty level in the Village of Fultonville and Town of Glen was approximately half the total of its neighbors across the river at 5.2% and 3.9% respectively.
Figure 4: Households Below Poverty Level
16.0% 13.9% 14.0% 12.4% 11.8% 12.0% 10.1% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 5.2% 3.9% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% Village of Village of Town of Glen Town of Montgomery New York State Fultonville Fonda Mohawk County
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Household Trends
Table 3 compares housing trends between the Villages, Towns, County and State in the year 2000. The two towns, Mohawk and Glen, had the highest percentage of owner- occupied housing with 74.7% and 73.8% respectively. Both villages showed a lower percentage of owner-occupied housing units, and naturally this characteristic was coupled with a greater percentage of renter-occupied housing than the towns. The Village of Fonda and Village of Fultonville were respectively 38.6% and 27.8% renter-occupied. Relatively large percentages of renter-occupied housing are typically found in communities that are densely developed, less prosperous, or a combination of the two.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 23 II. Inventory and Analysis
Table 3: Housing Occupancy Village of Village of Town of Town of Montgomery Characteristics NYS Fultonville Fonda Glen Mohawk County Housing Tenure Owner-Occupied housing 62.5% 47.2% 73.8% 74.7% 59.9% 48.7% Renter-Occupied housing 27.8% 38.6% 16.7% 18.2% 29.1% 43.2% Housing Occupancy Occupied housing units 90.3% 85.8% 90.5% 92.8% 89.0% 91.9% Vacant housing Units 9.7% 14.2% 9.5% 7.2% 11.0% 8.1% Household Type Average household size 2.5 2.29 2.64 2.6 2.42 2.61 Average family size 2.96 2.9 3.06 3.05 2.98 3.22 Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Also illustrated in Table 3, the average household size in the Villages, Towns, County and State were comparable. The smallest average household was found in Fonda at 2.29 persons while the largest was in the Town of Glen with 2.64 persons. Although this represents a notable difference, the next smallest average household was found in Montgomery County at 2.42 persons, significantly reducing the range of average household sizes.
The average family size was similar in the Villages, Towns, County and State as well. Once again, the Village of Fonda presented the smallest average family size at 2.9 persons; however, in this case the State claimed the largest average family size at 3.22 persons. Additionally, both villages showed a smaller average family size than the Towns.
Housing Resources
The availability, affordability, and condition of housing within a community are important factors that residents and employers consider when determining re-location. In addition, home ownership is directly linked to individual spending on services and supplies for home improvements, home furnishings, and other home-related items. Therefore, housing is a key factor in a community revitalization plan, as it contributes to the overall image and desirability of the community.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 24 II. Inventory and Analysis
This section includes an overview of the housing inventory, including a discussion of the age and value of housing units in the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda, the Towns of Glen and Mohawk, while also including comparisons with the County and the State when appropriate.
Table 4 shows the year housing structures were built. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the overwhelming majority of all structures in the Villages, Towns, County and State were built before 1969. The Village of Fultonville claimed the highest percentage, with 85.1% of structures built during or earlier than 1969. At 77.8%, Fonda also has a large number of older structures built in 1969 or earlier. A higher percentage of new construction, built between 1990 and 2000, was found in the towns of Glen and Mohawk at 16% and 15.4% respectively.
Table 4: Year Structure Built Village of Village of Town of Town of Montgomery Year Structure Built NYS Fultonville Fonda Glen Mohawk County 1999 to March 2000 0.9% 0.5% 2.1% 3.0% 0.7% 0.9% 1995 to 1998 1.9% 2.2% 4.5% 3.4% 2.2% 2.6% 1990 to 1994 4.4% 5.7% 9.4% 9.0% 4.3% 3.4% 1980 to 1989 2.5% 5.9% 11.4% 11.3% 6.5% 7.7% 1970 to 1979 5.1% 7.9% 11.0% 12.7% 9.4% 11.3% 1969 or earlier 85.1% 77.8% 61.6% 60.5% 76.9% 74.1% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Montgomery County and New York State fell between the Villages and Towns for the percentage of structures built prior to 1970; however, the State also proved to have the lowest percentage of houses recently constructed between 1990 and 2000 (6.9%) while Montgomery County tied with the Village of Fultonville (7.2%).
Figure 5 represents the median housing unit value for the Villages, Towns, County and State. The Town of Mohawk showed the highest value ($74,248) of the four waterfront communities. The Village of Fonda showed a substantially lower median value at $46,563, a difference of close to $30,000 in comparison to the Town of Mohawk. On the south side of the Mohawk River, a closer relationship between the housing unit value in Glen and Fultonville were found. The median housing unit value in the Town of Glen was listed as $67,711 while in the Village of Fultonville the value was $55,106. Even in
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 25 II. Inventory and Analysis this comparison, a difference of more than $12,000 was still found. Clearly, the two villages do not represent the wealthiest areas of their respective Towns. Montgomery County as a whole reported a median housing unit value of $64,340 while New York State showed the highest median housing unit value of $147,598, reflecting the value of structures in New York City and other urban areas.
Figure 5: Median Housing Value
$147,598 $160,000 $140,000 $120,000 $74,248 $100,000 $55,106 $67,711 $64,340 $80,000 $46,563 $60,000 $40,000 $20,000 $0 Village of Village of Town of Glen Town of Montgomery NYS Fultonville Fonda Mohawk County
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Employment Trends
Analyses of employment trends will help identify segments of the economy that have potential for growth or for decline. The following analysis uses data from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, which profiles those individuals that live within the WRA but do not necessarily work at industries located within the respective Villages, Towns, County and State.
As depicted in Table 5, occupations in management and professional services make up the largest percentage of the labor force in the Town of Glen (28.5%), Town of Mohawk (34.4%), Montgomery County (28.1%) and New York State (36.7%). The two Villages were the only communities that differed. Sales, office and administration positions represented the majority of the workforce in the Village of Fultonville (24.5%) while production/transportation/material jobs made up the largest percentage of the labor force
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 26 II. Inventory and Analysis in the Village of Fonda (26.9%). The fewest number of workers held positions related to farming/fishing/forestry in all communities.
Table 5: 2000 Employment by Occupation Village of Village Town of Town of Montgomery Occupation Type NYS Fultonville of Fonda Glen Mohawk County Management/Professional 21.8% 23.8% 28.5% 34.4% 28.1% 36.7% Service industry 20.6% 24.9% 15.1% 17.6% 15.5% 16.6% Sales/Office and Admin Support 24.5% 17.4% 23.7% 20.6% 25.2% 27.1% Farming/Fishing/Forestry 3.6% 0.5% 4.8% 1.2% 1.4% 0.3% Construction/Extraction/Maintenance 6.3% 6.4% 11.0% 7.0% 9.3% 7.6% Production/Transportation/Material 23.3% 26.9% 17.0% 19.2% 20.5% 11.7% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: 2000 U.S. Census
When considering only the Villages and Towns, Financial, Insurance, and Real Estate (FIRE) rental and leasing related jobs made up the lowest percentage of jobs in the Village of Fultonville (1.2%) and Village of Fonda (0.5%) while information related jobs made up the lowest percentage in the Town of Glen (1.4%) and wholesale trade was least represented in the Town of Mohawk (1.3%). Most industries were similarly represented in these four communities although notable discrepancy was seen in the agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting/mining sector. In the Village of Fonda only 1.0% of total jobs were represented by the industry while the sector made up 8.4% of jobs in the Town of Glen.
Table 6 illustrates the sectors of employment by industry in the Villages, Towns, County and State in the year 2000. In all locations, the greatest percentage of workers held service-related jobs, ranging from 37.1% for the Village of Fultonville to 46.1% for the Village of Fonda. Manufacturing and retail trade represent the next largest industries in all communities, although a large gap separates these sectors from the dominant services industry. Apart from the State, manufacturing jobs represented between 15.1% (Town of Glen) and 19.4% (Village of Fultonville) of total jobs in all communities. Only 10% of all jobs in the State are related to manufacturing. Retail jobs then composed between 9.2% (Town of Glen) and 12.8% (Village of Fultonville) of total employment in the WRA.
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Table 6: Employment by Industry Village of Village of Town of Montgomery Classification Town of NYS Fultonville Fonda Glen Mohawk County Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing/ Hunting/Mining 5.1% 1.0% 8.4% 4.7% 3.5% 0.6% Construction 4.8% 4.4% 8.1% 5.6% 6.6% 5.2% Manufacturing 19.4% 16.9% 15.1% 16.3% 18.1% 10.0% Wholesale trade 5.1% 3.3% 4.1% 1.3% 3.0% 3.4% Retail trade 12.8% 10.0% 9.2% 10.0% 11.7% 10.5% Transportation/Warehousing/Utilities 4.8% 8.5% 4.1% 7.3% 4.5% 5.5% Information 1.8% 2.3% 1.4% 1.7% 2.2% 4.1% FIRE, rental and leasing 1.2% 0.5% 2.7% 2.5% 5.1% 8.8% Services 37.1% 46.1% 40.8% 43.7% 39.2% 46.8% Public Administration 8.1% 6.9% 6.1% 7.0% 6.2% 5.2% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing, 2000.
Analysis of Supply and Demand
A Retail Market Place Profile for the Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda and Montgomery County can be found in Appendix A. Using data from ESRI Business Information Solutions (ESRI BIS), this table compares the supply of retail sales available in the Villages, Towns and County to the local demand respective to each, or demand for those retail goods and services from residents. Data for ESRI BIS estimates of sales (supply) originated with the 2002 Census of Retail Trade from the U.S. Census Bureau. The database is updated via additional information from a variety of demographic and business databases, including InfoUSA business database, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Current Population Survey, and NPA Data Services. Supply estimates also incorporate data from the Census Bureau‟s Non-employer Statistics (NES) division. Consumer spending (demand) is estimated from the Bureau of Labor Statistic‟s annual Consumer Expenditure Surveys, which provides consumer-spending information for households.
In comparing the supply with demand, a “Leakage/Surplus Factor” is identified. This is the difference between what local area residents buy and what local area retailers sell. If residents are buying more than what is sold locally, they must be traveling outside the
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 28 II. Inventory and Analysis area to shop. A factor of (+100) is considered a total “Leakage” of all local dollars outside the local area. If the amount area residents are purchasing is less than the amount actually being sold by local retailers, the difference is referred to as “Surplus”. A factor of (-100) is considered a total “Surplus”, which indicates local retailers are attracting shoppers from outside the community to their stores. Industries with factors close to zero indicate that businesses within this sector best balance supply and demand within the community.
Many communities across the country have researched consumer-spending behaviors to understand local trends. In general, consumers prefer to shop for everyday items close to home. These items include goods and services such as groceries, home cleaning supplies, personal care items, alcohol, cigarettes, automobile repair, beauty salon services, and restaurants. In contrast, consumers are willing to travel farther from home for larger ticket items such as furniture, furnishings, appliances, electronics, clothing, entertainment, automobiles, recreational vehicles and medical services. Finally, consumers are willing to take longer day trips from home in search of specialty shopping experiences that may include dining, entertainment, and recreation.
Businesses that successfully understand and respond to growing consumer demands must know where to find area demand for their products and services. A Retail Marketplace Profile database is designed to help retailers analyze retail sales generated in a given area, and to see if customers are traveling outside the area to shop. The Profile also highlights retail sectors that represent the area‟s biggest demand. Capitalizing on this information, retailers can make smarter decisions about site selection, product offerings, and more. More importantly, the availability of this information can assist Village, Town and County officials in making educated decisions when reviewing plans for new commercial development, and to encourage the establishment of long-term sustainable businesses.
The analysis that follows includes commentary on the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville, Towns of Mohawk and Glen and Montgomery County. A significant amount of data is analyzed in this section and in order to make the information manageable, the Village of Fonda and Town of Mohawk are often discussed as one group while the Village of Fultonville and Town of Glen appear together. Montgomery County will primarily be considered as its own entity although comparisons will be made to the Villages and Towns.
The ESRI Retail Marketplace Profile lists both industry groups and industry subgroups in its retail summary. Thirteen major industry groups are listed while twenty-eight industry subgroups are included within these category headings. The thirteen industry groups will be discussed first in order to gain an overall understanding of the retail marketplace,
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 29 II. Inventory and Analysis followed by a more detailed analysis of the local retail marketplace with discussion on the twenty-eight subgroups.
Village of Fonda and Town of Mohawk Major Industry Groups
In the Village of Fonda, five of the thirteen given industry groups showed some factor of sales leakage while eight demonstrated sales surplus. The Town of Mohawk demonstrated the opposite trend, with eight of its thirteen industry groups represented by sales leakage.
Table 7: Retail Surplus/Leakage by Industry in the Village of Fonda and Town of Mohawk Village of Fonda Town of Mohawk Leakage / Leakage / Industry Surplus Industry Surplus Factor Factor Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers 58.2 Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers 88.3 Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores -17.8 Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores 49.7 Electronics & Appliance Stores 100 Electronics & Appliance Stores -32.5 Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply -92.6 Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply -70.9 Food & Beverage Stores -72.3 Food & Beverage Stores -27.6 Health & Personal Care Stores 100 Health & Personal Care Stores 100 Gasoline Stations -51.8 Gasoline Stations 13.3 Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores 100 Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores 100 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Book/Music -30.3 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Book/Music 36.6 General Merchandise Stores -79.9 General Merchandise Stores -37 Misc. Store Retailers -7.7 Misc. Store Retailers 56.9 Nonstore Retailers 100 Nonstore Retailers 100 Food Services & Drinking Places -73.4 Food Services & Drinking Places -24.8 Source: ESRI Business Solutions Retail Marketplace Profile. A factor of (+100) is considered a total “Leakage” of all local dollars outside the local area. A factor of (-100) is considered a total “Surplus”, which indicates local retailers are attracting shoppers from outside the community to their stores. Industries with factors close to zero indicate that businesses within this sector best balance supply and demand within the community.
While none of the industries in either the Village or Town demonstrated complete sales surplus (-100), four of the categories in the Village and three in the Town show complete leakage (+100). In the Village of Fonda this included electronics & appliances, health & personal care stores, clothing & clothing accessories and non-store retailers. All of these
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 30 II. Inventory and Analysis industry sectors, excluding electronics & appliances, were included in the list of industries showing complete leakage for the Town of Mohawk as well. In fact, while there is complete leakage in the electronics & appliances industry group for the Village, a surplus of -32.5 in this sector was found in the Town, indicating that Village residents likely travel to the Town to meet their electronic and appliances needs. A number of other disparities exist between the Village and Town in terms of industry surpluses and leakages including furniture and home furnishings, gasoline stations, and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores. Since each of these sectors represented market leakage in one location while experiencing market surplus in its neighboring location, it is likely that local citizens are not traveling far from their residences to meet their needs within these categories.
Industry Subgroups
The ESRI Business Solutions Retail Marketplace Profile lists twenty-eight industry subgroups that appear beneath the thirteen main industry group headings. Analyzing the subgroups provides more specific information about where market surpluses and leakages are occurring. Some of the subcategories showed complete market leakage but did not necessarily belong to an industry group that showed leakage, and conversely, other industry subgroups that showed a surplus were not necessarily part of an industry group that showed a market surplus. For further details, please refer to the Retail Market Place Profile located in Appendix A.
Potential Business Opportunities in the Town of Mohawk & Village of Fonda Industry groups currently experiencing leakage of a factor between +75 and +100 (complete leakage) demonstrate tremendous potential for new business development. Since residents currently travel outside the Village or Town to meet their needs within these respective industries, businesses could capitalize on the opportunity to meet local demand and establish a branch closer to residents. In the Village of Fonda this opportunity includes the previously mentioned sectors with a factor of +100 (complete leakage); represented by electronics & appliances, health & personal care stores, clothing & clothing accessories, while the Town of Mohawk contributes the previously mentioned sectors with a factor of +100 as well as motor vehicle & parts (+88.3).
Similarly, industry groups experiencing a surplus between -75 and -100 demonstrate limited potential for the development of new businesses since supply already exceeds the current local demand. In the Village of Fonda, new businesses within the sectors of building equipment, garden equipment and supply stores (-92.6) and general merchandise
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 31 II. Inventory and Analysis stores (-79.9) have a diminished chance of surviving in the marketplace. No industry groups in the Town of Mohawk experience a surplus at this level.
Miscellaneous store retailers with a surplus factor of –7.7 represented the most stable industry group within the Village of Fonda in terms of balancing supply and demand for local residents. In the Town of Mohawk, gasoline stations appeared to be most stable, showing a leakage factor of +13.3.
Village of Fultonville and Town of Glen Major Industry Groups
In the Village of Fultonville and the Town of Glen, twelve of the thirteen industry groups experienced market leakage while only one experienced market surplus. Gasoline stations represented the only industry sector showing a market surplus in both the Village (-94.4) and Town (-90.1). For further details, please refer to the Retail Market Place Profile located in Appendix A.
Table 8: Retail Leakage/Surplus by Industry in the Village of Fultonville and Town of Glen Village of Fultonville Town of Glen Leakage / Leakage / Industry Surplus Industry Surplus Factor Factor Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers 100 Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers 32.7 Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores 100 Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores 100 Electronics & Appliance Stores 100 Electronics & Appliance Stores 51.2 Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply 23.3 Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply 49.9 Food & Beverage Stores 100 Food & Beverage Stores 15.6 Health & Personal Care Stores 100 Health & Personal Care Stores 100 Gasoline Stations -94.4 Gasoline Stations -90.1 Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores 100 Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores 100 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Book/Music 100 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Book/Music 100 General Merchandise Stores 100 General Merchandise Stores 100 Misc. Store Retailers 40.5 Misc. Store Retailers 62.5 Non store Retailers 100 Non store Retailers 100 Food Services & Drinking Places 13.8 Food Services & Drinking Places 40.8 Source: ESRI Business Solutions Retail Marketplace Profile A factor of (+100) is considered a total “Leakage” while a factor of (-100) is considered a total “Surplus”.
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Potential Business Opportunities in the Town of Glen & Village of Fonda A substantial number of industry sectors showed complete sales leakage (+100), indicating complete loss of retail sales to locations outside the Village and Town respectively. Within the Village of Fultonville, motor vehicle & parts dealers, furniture & home furnishings stores, electronics & appliances stores, food & beverage stores, health & personal care stores, clothing & clothing accessories stores, sporting goods/hobby/book/music stores, general merchandise stores and non store retailers all experience complete sales leakage. In the Town of Glen, six of the nine sectors listed for the Village experienced complete market leakage as well, including furniture & home furnishings, health & personal care stores, clothing & clothing accessories stores, sporting goods/hobby/book/music stores, general merchandise stores and non store retailers.
None of the industry groups experienced a complete sales surplus (-100) in either the Village or Town; however, gasoline stations in both locations nearly met the demand for gas by local residents. The surplus factor for the Village of Fultonville was -94.4 and -90.1 in the Town of Glen. Although gasoline stations held nearly the entire market in the Village and Town, it represented the only sector showing a surplus factor.
Food services and drinking places with a leakage factor of +13.8 represented the most stable industry group within the Village of Fultonville in terms of balancing supply and demand for Village residents. In the Town of Glen, food and beverage stores (+15.6) best balanced local supply and demand.
Montgomery County Major Industry Groups
Within Montgomery County as a whole, five industries represented retail leakage while eight represented retail surplus. The greatest leakage factor was found in the electronics and appliances sector (+31.6), which also represented one of the greatest leakage factors in both the Village of Fonda and the Village of Fultonville (+100). The Town of Glen also showed leakage in this industry (+51.8) while the Town of Fultonville helped meet some of the demand of County residents, showing a surplus factor of –32.5. The greatest surplus factor in the County was represented by miscellaneous store retailers (-33.7) and closely followed by gasoline stations (-33.3).
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Table 9: Retail Surplus/Leakage by Industry Montgomery County Leakage / Industry Surplus Factor Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers -19.4 Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores 14.7 Electronics & Appliance Stores 31.6 Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply -29.4 Food & Beverage Stores -9.8 Health & Personal Care Stores -29.5 Gasoline Stations -33.3 Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores 12.1 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Book/Music -29.5 General Merchandise Stores 1.3 Misc. Store Retailers -33.7 Non store Retailers -20.2 Food Services & Drinking Places 4.9 Source: ESRI Business Solutions Retail Marketplace Profile. A factor of (+100) is considered a total “Leakage” of all local dollars outside the local area. A factor of (-100) is considered a total “Surplus”, which indicates local retailers are attracting shoppers from outside the community to their stores. Industries with factors close to zero indicate that businesses within this sector best balance supply and demand within the community.
Miscellaneous store retailers only showed a surplus in the Village of Fonda (-7.7), while the remaining Village and Towns showed leakage in this sector. This indicates that other locations in the County outside the Villages and Towns better serve miscellaneous store retail needs. The majority of Villages and Towns did however demonstrate a surplus in the gas stations industry group, the other sector showing the largest surplus in the County. The only location that did not show this surplus was found in the Town of Mohawk, which experienced a leakage of +13.3. General merchandise stores represented the industry group that was most balanced in terms of meeting the supply and demand of County residents, with a leakage factor of only +1.3. For further details, please refer to the Retail Market Place Profile located in Appendix A.
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D. Cultural Tourism & Recreational Resources
Highlights
The preparation for the arrival of the Erie Canal system during the nineteenth century induced growth to the areas north and south of the Mohawk River in the form of land, people and industry. The villages and towns included in the study area reached their peak of economic development by the early twentieth century.
In the 1970s and 1980s, regional employers began to downsize, close, or relocate their businesses. An economic decline settled over the Mohawk Valley that has endured, and many of the small Main Street retail shops closed in the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda
A total of six sites within the WRA have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Erie Canal, the Caughnawaga Indian Village Site, the Old Courthouse Complex, and the Glen Historic District.
Local commitment to historical preservation is demonstrated by the protection and maintenance of many historic structures in the area. There are numerous other historic buildings and sites within the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville and Towns of Mohawk and Glen that are not yet listed on the National Register, but remain historically important.
The Mohawk River/Erie Canal is the most dominant natural feature that has shaped the land and the development of the communities within the WRA. The Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor is one of 24 national heritage areas in the United States and is a very important asset to the region in terms of its scenic and recreational attributes.
The Erie Canalway Trail, which runs through the WRA, represents the longest multi- use recreational trail in the United States. Upon completion, the trial will stretch 348 miles between the Hudson River and Lake Erie.
The 188-mile Adirondack Scenic Byway Trail begins at the intersection of Route 30a and Route 5 in Fonda. It runs through the core of the Adirondacks, skirting mountain ponds, wild forest areas, and beautiful lakes.
Roughly 2.5 miles east of the study area, on the Schoharie Creek, the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Visitors Center is dedicated to the preservation and
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interpretation of the Erie Canal. The Visitors Center offers exhibits that trace the history of the canal and the impact it had on New York State’s growth and development.
New York State Bike Route 5 is approximately 360 miles long and travels parallel to the Erie Canal from Niagara Falls to Albany. The section of the route that passes through Fultonville is on-road, and cyclists must share the road with motor vehicles.
The Fonda Fairgrounds is 60 acres in size and located on a key riverfront property east of Bridge Street (Route 30A) in the Village of Fonda. Although a variety of events are hosted at this site, the property remains largely underutilized.
The Fonda Speedway is located within the Fonda Fairgrounds complex and draws large crowds to the area to watch modified stock car racing.
The Section 3 Canal Maintenance Facility, located along the waterfront in the Village of Fonda, allows private boats to tie-up for the day. Currently, the property is underutilized, but it has great potential to draw visitors to the area if improvements are made.
The Kateri Shrine and the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs offer additional attractions to the WRA and draw a large number of visitors each year.
Historical & Cultural Resources
Historical Overview
The earliest inhabitants in the area were Algonquin and Mohawk Indians, who were first introduced to white settlers in the early 1700s as British expeditions were led further west though the present day State of New York. Irish settlers moved into the Town of Glen in the 1740s, but many returned to their homeland as violence increased between the Indians of New York and Canada. The Mohawk Valley region was the scene of many battles during the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, as well as repeated skirmishes between local and
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 36 II. Inventory and Analysis northern Indian tribes. 6 Many settlements suffered as a result of the continuous violence.
Auriesville, Mill Point and the Hamlet of Glen were settled in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The Village of Fultonville was the most recent settlement in the Town, incorporated in 1848. John Evert Van Epps initiated development in the area by purchasing 900 acres of marshy land known as the “Van Epps Swamp” during the Revolution. The first establishments were an inn and tavern located on the Mohawk River developed by John Starin in 1795. Starin also built the lavish estate, “Prospect Hill” and developed a 600-acre model farm.
French Jesuits who had come to the area as missionaries wrote the earliest known records on the Town of Mohawk and Village of Fonda, which were primarily concerned with missionary efforts. The Town was then officially settled under the authority of several patents issued during the late 18th century. The Kayaderosseras Patent forced the Mohawks from the land, which then allowed a series of land grants to be offered to prominent families who would leave lasting impressions on the area. Douw Fonda and her three sons were among this elite group who moved to the area, and her family eventually bestowed their name on the community.
The French Jesuit effort to convert local Indians was largely successful, and many were relocated to a town near Montreal to be more fully exposed to Christianity. Eventually, this resulted in substantial population loss with further unsettlement in the area at the onset of the Revolutionary War. Bitterness and suspicion were common among neighbors according to respective political alliances, and much of this tension was not dispelled until years after the war.
The construction and opening of the Erie Canal in the early 1800s brought stability to the area once again. The Town of Mohawk was officially founded in 1837, while the Village of Fonda was eventually incorporated in 1851.7
The preparation for the arrival of the Erie Canal system brought more growth to the areas north and south of the Mohawk River in the form of land, people and industry. Industry, manufacturing and related commercial development prospered when the Erie Canal
6 Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan, July 2000 7 Town of Mohawk Comprehensive Plan, April 2001.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 37 II. Inventory and Analysis opened in 1825, which led to the invention of the steamboat by Robert Fulton, for whom the Village of Fultonville was eventually named. With this new commercial water route, Fultonville was considered the center of trade in the region, handling freight for Fonda, Johnstown, and northern Montgomery County. The Erie Canal System was expanded in 1841 and the construction of the Barge Canal system further improved the canal in 1903.8 Today the canal is primarily used by recreational boaters.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the towns of Glen and Mohawk continued to develop as farming communities with a mixture of agricultural supportive businesses and industries. Agriculture-based industries dotted the fertile hillsides surrounding the Villages and locally produced products were shipped throughout the northeast using the new transportation routes.
Between 1950 and 1954 the New York State Thruway was built with an exit near the heart of the Village of Fultonville, accessible from Riverside Drive (NYS Route 920P), a road that runs parallel to the Mohawk River. In the 1970s and 1980s, regional employers began to downsize, close, or relocate their businesses. An economic decline settled over the Mohawk Valley, and many of the small retail shops closed in the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda.9 Today, residents of the towns of Mohawk and Glen and the villages of Fonda and Fultonville are primarily automobile dependent in order to reach jobs and services in surrounding communities and the Capital Region.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources, which include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect historic and archeological resources.10 The National Park Service administers the National Register. Generally, properties eligible for listing in the National Register are at least 50 years old. Properties less than 50 years of age must be exceptionally important to be considered eligible for listing.
8 Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan, July 2000. 9 Village of Fultonville Strategic Plan , April 2006. 10 National Register of Historic Places, http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/. Accessed August 6, 2007.
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The following table lists sites that have been named to the Register of Historic Places that are located within the communities involved in this plan. It is important to note that there are numerous other historic buildings and sites within these communities that are not yet listed on the National Register, but remain historically important.
Table 10: National Register of Historic Places Historic Period of Historic Site Name Location Current Function Significance Significance Function Butler, Walter, Fonda Person 1700-1749 Domestic Domestic Homestead Caughnawaga Indian Information Fonda 1650-1699 Domestic Recreation and Culture Village Site Potential
New Courthouse * Fonda Architecture 1892- Domestic Domestic
Architecture/ Old Courthouse Event, Domestic, Recreation Fonda 1836 – 1892 Domestic Complex * Information and Culture Potential Architecture/ Agriculture/Subsistence Glen Historic District Glen Engineering, 1750-1899 Commerce/Trade, Event Domestic, Religion 6 miles west Information Erie Canal Also of Potential, known as Schoharie Amsterdam Architecture/ 1800-1859 Transportation Transportation Crossing State on Engineering, Historic Site NYS Rt. 5S Event Source: National Register of Historic Places, http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ny/Montgomery/state.html * Montgomery County Department of History and Archives www.co.montgomery.ny.us/website/resources/nrlistings.asp
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Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Visitors Center
Located in Fort Hunter on the Schoharie Creek bordering the Town of Glen, the Schoharie Crossing Site and Visitors Center is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal. The Visitors Center offers exhibits that trace the history of the canal and the impact it had on New York State‟s growth and development. The remains of the historic Schoharie Aqueduct, which carried water from the enlarged Erie Canal across the Schoharie Creek is located on the site.
In addition, a restored trading post, a historic canal lock and mule-drawn wagon-rides along the towpath are available for the enjoyment of visitors. The Schoharie Crossing Aqueduct Historic Site is connected by a bicycle and hiking path to the Schoharie Aqueduct and boat launch. Three additional historic structures are found in the area between Yankee Hill and Schoharie Crossing as well, including Emery‟s Culvert, Lock 29 and Lock 34. This area also offers additional facilities such as a picnic area and fishing area to boaters and other tourists.
The Little Red School House
The Little Red School House is currently located on Cemetery Street on the grounds of the Fonda-Fultonville Central School in the Village of Fonda. The schoolhouse was first located on Route 30A and Old Trail Road. The building was constructed by 1870 and was closed in 1949. The schoolhouse consists of one room that is furnished with original historic desks, artifacts and memorabilia. There is a potbellied stove and a bell tower that now is a part of the school and are added attractions. The schoolhouse is open by appointment only
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National Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
The Kateri Shrine is located a quarter mile west of the Village of Fonda on Route 5, and is open daily, May 1 to Oct. 31, 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. It is the site of a former Indian village that was discovered in 1950 by a Conventual Franciscan Friar named Father Thomas Grassman. After its discovery, volunteers and professionals worked to unearth the remains, and today it represents the only completely excavated Iroquois Indian village in the country.
Catherine Tekakwitha, an Iroquois woman, was baptized on the site and lived there for most of her life. Kateri Tekakwitha was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980. The shrine includes a rustic chapel made out of an 18th -century Dutch barn, bell tower, friary, retreat house, candle chapel, Stations of the Cross, and a museum. Museum displays include artifacts from an on-site archeological excavation of the Mohawk Indian Village.
Visitors can also see outlines of the twelve longhouses and stockade that were built more than three hundred years ago by the Iroquois. A picnic grove and pavilion are also located on the site and visitors can relax here during their stay. The shrine grounds are maintained by the Franciscan friars, who originally took over the site in 1938 before the excavation of the Indian village.11
While many events are held at the Kateri Shrine each year, the biggest celebration is the Kateri Pow-wow. It lasts for five days in early July from noon until sunset. The Pow- wow is a celebration of American Indian culture open to all ages, and includes arts, crafts, music, and dancing.
National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs
The Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, located just east of Fultonville in the Hamlet of Auriesville, is the historic site of the Mohawk Indian Village of Odderneon, and the birthplace of the blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the lily of the Mohawks, born in 1656. In addition, the shrine is the center of devotion to Mary as the first recorded recitation of the
11 The National Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha official site: http://www.katerishrine.com/ “The History of Kateri‟s National Shrine”. Accessed August 9, 2007.
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Rosary took place on the grounds. The shrine is a monument to martyred Jesuit missionaries and is the site of the America‟s first and only canonized Martyrs.12
In 1885 the shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Martyrs and consisted of only a wooden cross and a tiny chapel on 10 acres of land. Over the years the shrine site has been expanded to 600 acres of land with buildings and facilities capable of housing thousands of people. Unique to the site is the Coliseum Church, one of the first circular churches in the United States built in 1931. The interior of the church accommodates 6,500 worshippers and has a alter that was built to resemble the palisaded barriers that once surrounded Mohawk Villages.
This shrine is open from early May to mid October, Monday thru Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Masses are held Monday through Saturday at 11:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Saturday at 4:00 P.M., and Sunday at 9:00 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30, and 4:00 P.M. There are no public Masses during the winter months of November through April. According to Father Peter Murray, the shrine attracts an average of 40,000 to 50,000 visitors a year. Visitors often make consecutive day trips to visit the Auriesville Shrine and the National Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda. Visitors have expressed the desire for a greater variety of eating establishments and additional lodging accommodations in closer proximity to the shrine.13
Recreational Resources
Mohawk River & Erie Canal
The Mohawk River/Erie Canal is used as a transportation artery for both commercial and pleasure boating. Each year, boaters from across the United States travel the New York State Canal system, enjoying the activities of the river and “more than 450 years of American history in sights and scenes along the way”14. The Waterfront Area Boundary is located between Canal Locks 12 and 13.
12 The Shrine of our Lady of Martyrs official site: http://www.martyrshrine.org/ Accessed October 2, 2007. 13 Village of Fultonville Strategic Plan, April 2006. 14 Canalside Pleasures - http://www.montgomerycountyny.com/tourism/river.asp
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The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor travels the path of the old Erie Canal. The Erie Canal is known world wide as the most historically significant and influential canal system in North America. The canal system is seen as a scenic and cultural treasure, and as such, the Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor Act was signed on December 21, 2000. The Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor is one of 24 national heritage areas in the United States.
The canal corridor includes the 524 miles of navigable canal that compromises the New York State Canal System, including the Erie, Cayuga- Seneca, Oswego and Champlain Canals plus the 234 cities, towns, and villages that lie immediately adjacent to the waterway. The corridor consists of 4,834 square miles and travels through 23 counties.
Pleasure boating is increasing on the Mohawk River/Erie Canal and along with it, so is the demand for services for boaters such as full service marinas, fueling stations, camping areas and supply stores. The nearest marina and pump out facility is located in St Johnsville. The nearest boat launch that has a concrete ramp that affords float-off and float-on launching for most trailered boats is located at Schoharie Crossing on the southern side of the river. Other hard surface ramps are located in Amsterdam and in Canajoharie.
NYS Canal Corporation Property
The NYS Canal Corporation property, located along the waterfront in the Village of Fonda, allows boats to tie-up for the day. This represents one of the few places along the Mohawk River that allows boats to dock for free. The Canal Corporation property is ideal for picnicking since it has a large open grass area that is well maintained and a few grills available for public use along the waterfront. Boaters also have the option of leaving the property and walking to the Fonda Speedway since it is just across the street, or even walking to the Village downtown area. The gates to the Canal Corporation property close at 3:30, and boaters must check in at the office before leaving and borrow a key to gain access to the property after hours. Throughout the public participation process of this plan, a number of citizens have mentioned the difficulty boaters have in getting to the villages once docked, and the citizens on land feel they do not have ready access to the facility‟s waterfront. Currently, the property is underutilized
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 43 II. Inventory and Analysis by the public, but with its existing infrastructure, which could quickly and inexpensively be enhanced, there is great potential to draw visitors to the area if improvements were made to ensure the maintenance facility‟s security and access needs.
Erie Canalway Trail
The Erie Canalway Trail is a National Recreational Trail that is designed to support recreation uses such as, hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and horseback riding. The Trail is 60% complete, with 27 miles of new trail recently added in the Mohawk Valley; it will eventually link Lake Erie to the Hudson River following current or past channels of the Erie Canal. Upon completion the Canalway Trail will stretch 348 miles, representing the longest multi- use recreational trail in the United States.
The Canalway Trail has been completed within the designated waterfront area, and in the whole of Montgomery County nearly the entirety of the trail has also been completed with the exception of the section east of the Town of Florida. A 20-mile segment connecting Fort Hunter, Fultonville and Canajoharie and a 7- mile segment from Fort Plain to Minden was most recently completed within the County. The trail crosses the Village of Fultonville‟s Main Street between Erie Street and Church Street and runs parallel with NYS Route 5S. Aesthetic improvements in the area present an invitation to the Village‟s commercial district.
The Trail has been divided up into major segments, and the section that runs through the waterfront area is known as the Mohawk-Hudson bikeway, connecting Little Falls in the west to Waterford in the east. Trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating and cross-country skiing. The trail surface is stone dust in Montgomery and Herkimer Counties and asphalt in the remaining sections. Although motorized vehicles are not normally allowed to be used on the trail, snowmobiles are allowed from December 15 to March 20, bringing much needed winter activity to the waterfront area Villages and Towns.
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New York State Bike Route 5
The New York State Bike Route 5 is approximately 360 miles long and travels parallel to the Erie Canal Route from Niagara Falls to Albany. Starting east of Syracuse, Bike Route 5 follows the Mohawk River to Fultonville where it travels along Route 5S. An on-road route, cyclists must share the road with motor vehicles. Users are able to experience the Erie Canal using linkages between Bike Route 5 and off-road Canalway Trail segments.
Adirondack Scenic Byway Trail
The Adirondack Scenic Byway Trail begins at the intersection of Route 30a and Route 5 in Fonda. The 188-mile trail runs along Route 30A from Fonda, just below the southern border of the Adirondack Park, to Malone, a few miles south of Canada, traveling through Johnstown, Gloversville, Northville, Speculator, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths. The Adirondack Trail runs through the core of the Adirondacks, skirting mountain ponds, wild forest areas, and beautiful lakes.15
The Adirondack Trail features historic sites such as the Johnstown Battlefield; colonial history at Johnson Hall, Burke's Tavern, and the Historic Quadrangle; the Fulton County Museum, which features a great glove making exhibit celebrating the leather making history of the area; Great Sacandaga Lake, the largest body of water in the Adirondack Park, with endless opportunities for recreation; the Tamarack Bird and Wildlife Museum; endless opportunities for boating, golfing, camping, hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, cross country and downhill skiing; breathtaking scenery as the trail weaves its way through the Blue Ridge Mountain Wilderness and the Siamese Pond Wilderness, and Blue Mountain Lake, home of various artisan gift stores and the nationally acclaimed Adirondack Museum; the Adirondacks Lakes Center for the Arts offering a colorful array of concerts, theatre productions, films, gallery exhibits, and workshops; Long Lake, Tupper Lake and linkages to the Central Adirondack Scenic Byway Trail and the Roosevelt-Marcy Scenic Byway Trail.
Fonda Fair
The Fonda Fairgrounds are located on a key riverfront property east of Bridge Street (Route 30A) in the Village of Fonda. The fairgrounds contain 60 acres of fenced land, 5 barns for
15 http://visitadirondacks.com/attract/viewAllByways.cfm
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 45 II. Inventory and Analysis horses, cattle, goats and sheep; 4 enclosed buildings, a covered grandstand that seats 2000, restrooms, 2 campgrounds, portable stage, inside arena, outside horse show ring, a sound system throughout most areas and winter storage space. The Fonda Fair is held each year from the end of August through Labor Day weekend. There are many events that are held during the week of the fair. In addition to displays, crafters, food, games and rides, there are horse and tractor pulls, 4-H competitions, The Miss Fonda Fair Contest, and a baby contest each year. The Fairground Board also leases a large area of the property to the Fonda Speedway. In addition, the fairgrounds are leased for horse shows and a variety of trade shows throughout the year. The fairgrounds have also been used for Fourth of July firework celebrations and other holiday events.
Fonda Speedway
The Fonda Speedway is located on a large riverfront property east of Bridge Street (Route 30A) within the Fonda Fairgrounds complex. The speedway provides entertainment and excitement for families throughout the region. The first automobile race at the speedway was an American Automobile Association event on September 10, 1927. NASCAR became involved in the track in 1948 and since has been known as the “Track of Champions”. The ½ mile long, flat clay racing oval brings drivers from all over N.Y. State to race in one or more of the regular classes. The main use of this facility is modified stock car racing, racing every Saturday night from April – October. The regular Saturday night racing classes include, Big Block Modifieds, 358-Small Block Modifieds, sportsman, Pro Stocks, IMCA Modifieds and Street Stocks.
Over the years the Speedway has undergone a number of improvements including, new concession stands, a VIP tower, new bleachers, moving the pit to turns three and four and a concrete wall built to replace the famous Fonda boards. In addition, there are 2 campgrounds with facilities available for those wishing to stay on busy race weekends.
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E. Municipal Resources
Highlights
A public sewer district encompasses the entirety of both the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville. The plant has adequate capacity to handle predicted residential growth, although large-scale industrial growth would require system expansions.
The Towns of Glen and Mohawk rely on septic systems to treat sewage. The Town of Glen reported that some system failures occurred during the flood of 2006, but few to date have occurred under ordinary circumstances. No system failures have been recorded in the Town of Mohawk to date and local officials are not concerned about the effects of future growth.
All residents of the Village of Fultonville and Fonda are supplied with public drinking water that is in compliance with all State health standards.
There is no public water system in either the Towns of Glen or Mohawk. Residents and businesses retrieve groundwater from wells that are privately owned and no significant issues have been reported.
During peak hours, traffic delays, conflicts between cars and tractor trailers, and pedestrian safety issues on Riverside Drive (NYS Route 920P), NYS Route 30A, Route 5 and Route 5S are a major concern that requires further detailed study.
There are two at-grade railroad crossings over the CSX rail lines within the Village of Fonda, one at the intersection of Center Street and the other at the intersection of Broadway. Automobile and pedestrian safety of these two at-grade crossings has been of great concern to local residents and the NYS Department of Transportation for many years. This issue requires a more detailed study.
Public Sewage Disposal
A public sewer district encompasses the entirety of both the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville. The sewer treatment facility that serves these municipalities is a diffused air treatment plant that was updated approximately 5-7 years ago. The plant consists of three
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 47 II. Inventory and Analysis levels of treatment, including primary, secondary and tertiary phases. In the last stage of treatment, the water is treated with chlorine and released into the Mohawk River.16
The wastewater treatment plant is able to handle approximately 1.2 million gallons of wastewater per day. Currently, the Village of Fultonville contributes approximately 130,000 gallons per day and the Village of Fonda contributes approximately 220,000 gallons for a combined total of approximately 400,000 gallons of waste treated per day. The plant has adequate capacity to handle predicted residential growth, although large- scale industrial growth would require system expansions. In the near future, the treatment facility will require some updates including a new generator, new clarifier and clarifier drives, and new sludge water pumps.17
On-Site Sewage Systems
Most development outside the village limits rely upon on-site sewage systems. The Towns of Glen and Mohawk have similar on-site septic system approval processes, requiring residents of both Towns to go through the Code Enforcement/Building Inspection Department for approval. Initially, Montgomery County‟s Soil and Water Conservation District completes a site test in two parts to best engineer the proposed septic system. The first part is a soil investigation and deep whole test in order to ascertain the type of soil present at the site and the water table level. This information determines the type of system to be installed, which could be categorized as four general types. These types include a standard system, system with a partial sand filter, system with a full sand filter, or a shallow trench system. The second part of the site test is described as a percolation test, which determines the size of the leech field that will serve the septic tank. In order to complete the approval process, the Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector in the Towns of Glen and Mohawk review the test conducted by the Soil and Water Conservation District, in addition to the proposed tank size, location, and type of facility that will be served by the tank to complete the approval process. Some key regulations in the location of a septic tank in the Towns of Glen and Mohawk are that it must be one hundred feet from any well, one-hundred-fifty feet from any water body or wetland, and ten feet from all property lines.18
16 Village of Fultonville Strategic Plan, 2006. 17 Personal correspondence with Timothy Healey, Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator. July 17, 2007. 18 Personal correspondence with Ronald Henkel, Town of Mohawk Code Enforcer, and John Thomas, Town of Glen Supervisor. July 17, 2007.
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The Town of Glen reported that some system failures occurred during the flood of 2006, but few to date have occurred under ordinary circumstances. Although this is rare, some housing sales have been transacted that result in more people living in a unit than during previous ownership, and the system was pushed beyond its limit to cause a system failure.19 No system failures have been recorded in the Town of Mohawk to date and local officials are not concerned about the effects of future growth in the Town on septic systems since percolation tests have been good. Neither Town conducts on-going inspections of on-site sewage systems and only assesses problems as they are reported.20
Public Water Supply
Village of Fultonville
All residents of the Village of Fultonville are supplied with public drinking water. The water originates from two 190-foot deep groundwater wells that are located within the Village. Pumping capacity for each well is 170 gallons per minute. The drinking water system has a pumping capacity of 300,000 gallons per day and currently the Village is only using between 120,000 - 150,000 gallons per day. The public water system has adequate capacity for future expansion.
The water is treated with chlorine and softened at the water plant. Following treatment, the water is pumped into the distribution system and stored in a 632,000-gallon tank. In 2006, the daily demand averaged 100,000 gallons per day, with the single highest day reaching a distribution of 250,000 gallons. A total of 36,500,000 gallons were distributed in 2006, which served approximately 740 people.
The Village of Fultonville routinely tests the public drinking water for inorganic contaminants, radiological contaminants, lead and copper, nitrate, volatile organic contaminants, and synthetic organic contaminants. No contaminant violations were recorded for the year of 2006 meaning the Village was in compliance with the State‟s Department of Health regulations.
Improvements were made to the water system about 10 years ago that included updating pumps, wells, the treatment system and additional equipment. The Village does have a plan in place for the emergency supply of water; however, there are several water mains that still need to be upgraded from 4” mains to 6”-8” mains for improved flow capacity.
19 Personal correspondence with John Thomas, Town of Glen Supervisor. July 17, 2007. 20 Personal correspondence with Ronald Henkel, Town of Mohawk Code Enforcer. July 17, 2007.
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According to Village residents and business owners, the public water in Fultonville is hard, and therefore contributes to the corrosion of some plumbing and restaurant equipment. Residents also complain about the taste of the water. Although the water passes all Department of Health water quality tests taken from the plant, it is possible that the old water distribution pipes are causing the bad taste.21
Village of Fonda
Similar to the Village of Fultonville, residents of the Village of Fonda are also served by a public water supply system. Water is drawn from the naturally fed Fonda Reservoir located approximately five miles outside the Village. The water then travels east until it nearly reaches Winner‟s Circle, and divides among 12 laterals that carry the water to side streets. Two tanks are capable of storing 300,000 and 550,000 gallons each, for a total storage capacity of 850,000 gallons. One tank is located at the Fonda Reservoir while the other is established behind the local school.
On average, the Village supplies 500,000 gallons of water per day with a maximum capacity of twice that amount. Although this maximum capacity cannot be guaranteed during the drier summer months, local officials report the public water system is capable of handling substantial economic and residential growth. Currently, 1,150 residents are served by the water system with nearly one-third being located outside the Village boundaries and subject to differential fees.
The Village regularly tests for contaminants in the public water supply including coliform, turbidity, inorganic compounds, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper, volatile organic compounds, total trihalomethanes, and synthetic organic compounds. In 2006 the Village was in compliance with New York State‟s Department of Health public water regulations.
Recent improvements to the Village‟s public water system included new waterlines through the lower half of the Village and a new water storage tank located behind the local school. In the near future the Village will continue to focus on updating its current system while the expansion of the system will not be necessary for many years to come. Currently no emergency water supply plan is in place, but the allocation of resources to the development of this plan should be considered in the future.22
21 Village of Fultonville Strategic Plan, 2006. 22 Personal correspondence with John Wiltey, Village of Fonda Public Works Supervisor and Chris Ashbey, Village of Fonda Water Treatment Facility Operator. July 17, 2007.
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Private Water Supply
There is no public water system in either the Towns of Glen or the Town of Mohawk. Residents and businesses retrieve groundwater from wells that are privately owned.
Transportation Systems
Transportation systems are vital to the overall movement of people, goods and services within the WRA. A well-planned and designed transportation system is important to the economic growth and prosperity of each community. The transportation system generally functions well and the roadways are well maintained within the WRA. Pedestrians are generally accommodated via concrete sidewalks along the various roadway segments. Crosswalks and physically impaired access are provided at some of the major intersections within the Villages and pedestrian scale lighting is provided on Route 5 (Main Street) in Fonda. The New York State Thruway (I-90) entrance and exit ramps (Interchange 28) are located in the Village of Fultonville, which can be accessed from Riverside Drive. Many residents traveling to various destinations east and west of the WRA can easily utilize the Thruway. According to the 2005 NYSDOT Traffic Volume Report, Interchange 28 of the Thruway has an estimated Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of 22,970 vehicles.
During the public participation process, some significant traffic flow concerns were identified within the villages of Fonda and Fultonville. During peak hours, traffic delays, conflicts between cars and tractor trailers, and pedestrian safety issues on Riverside Drive (NYS Route 920P), NYS Route 30A, Route 5 and Route 5S are a major concern that requires further detailed study. These routes are major arteries connecting the WRA with the surrounding region. A summary of the characteristics and/or features of these major transportation routes follows.
Riverside Drive (Route 920P)
NYS Route 920P, locally known as Riverside Drive, traverses the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville in an east-west direction. It intersects with Route 30A in the Village of Fultonville. This route is the primary access to Interchange 28 of the Thruway. The route runs parallel to the Mohawk River. NYSDOT has classified it as a Rural Major
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Collector Road. Double yellow pavement markings are provided that separates eastbound and westbound traffic. Edge line markings are not provided in either direction.
The section of 920P between NY Route 30A to a point 0.2 miles east of I-90 (Thruway Exit 28) in the Town of Glen and the Village of Fultonville is considered an Access Highway, which is defined as a highway designated for use by STAR vehicles and 53' trailers. Unlike a Qualifying Highway, these vehicle combinations may not travel off the access highway for any distance.23 Parking is prohibited along the entire section of Riverside Drive. The posted speed limit is 40 MPH within the Village of Fultonville.
According to traffic data obtained from the NYSDOT 2005 Traffic Volume Report, the estimated Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of Route 920P between the intersection of Route 30A to the Thruway entrance is approximately 6,600 vehicles with 3,515 eastbound and 3,081 westbound. According to 2005 traffic counts, of this total traffic volume, twenty seven percent (27%) is represented by truck traffic, with 31.76% traveling eastbound and 20.99% traveling westbound.24 This is a significant increase in truck traffic since 2003, when only fifteen percent (15%) was represented by truck traffic, an increase in truck traffic of 12% in a span of only two years. From the intersection with the Thruway west to the intersection of Route 5S the estimated AADT is 1,200 vehicles. The road is paved in asphalt for its entire length, and the surface condition has been rated as good, although distress symptoms are beginning to show.
The roadway segment within the Village of Fultonville includes travel lanes with a curbed edge on the north side, and with some intact curbs and sidewalks that accommodate pedestrian traffic on the south side. The north side of the road borders the Mohawk River, while the south side includes numerous commercial driveways. The driveways are generally wide with no consistency in their design. As a result, access to the various establishments does not appear to be
23 Official Description of Designated Qualifying and Access Highways of New York State, April 2006
24 New York State‟s 2005 Highway Sufficiency Ratings
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 52 II. Inventory and Analysis managed well. Land use adjacent to Riverside Drive includes a Travel Center that provides parking and other amenities for trucks and tractor-trailers. Circulation within this complex appears to be less than adequate.
In addition to the commercial driveways, there are several side streets on the south side that connect to Riverside Drive. They include Route 30A, Washington Street, Franklin Street and Scholte Avenue. The intersections are controlled by a “STOP” sign located on the side streets, except for Route 30A, which is controlled by a traffic signal system.
The Village of Fultonville applied for and was granted a grant through the NYSDOT Transportation Enhancement Program for a sidewalks and beautification project on Riverside Drive. The Village proposes to: improve the overall streetscape of Riverside Drive and Main Street; improve parking and pedestrian access; promote the Village through the use of attractive community gateways, and create needed pedestrian facilities along Riverside Drive.
New York State Route 5
New York State Route 5 is the major east-west arterial to the north of the Mohawk River, serving the Town of Mohawk and Village of Fonda. At a regional level Route 5 links the Town of Glen with Utica, Amsterdam, and Albany. Additionally, it is a designated bikeway and provides scenic vistas of the Mohawk Valley corridor.
The Towns and Villages on opposing sides of the Mohawk River are linked by the Route 30A bridge over the river, which connects to Riverside Drive in the Village of Fultonville and Route 5 in the Village of Fonda. NYSDOT reported that the AADT on Route 5 west of the intersection of Route 334 was 3,480 vehicles25.
In the Village of Fonda, between the intersection of Route 334 and where Route 5 overlaps with Route 30A the AADT is 9,496. According to 2005 traffic counts, of this total traffic volume, close to fourteen percent (13.75%) is represented by truck traffic, with 13.95% traveling eastbound and 13.55% traveling westbound. In 2003, only nine percent (9%) was represented by truck traffic. According to NYSDOT, Route 5 is a designated Access Highway, or a “highway designated for use by STAR vehicles and 53 foot trailers. Unlike a Qualifying Highway, these vehicle
25 NYSDOT 2005 Traffic Volume Report
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 53 II. Inventory and Analysis combinations may not travel off the access highway for any distance. Heavy truck traffic along this route through the Village of Fonda where Route 5 connects with Route 30A north to Johnstown is a major concern of local residents which is briefly discussed in a section to follow.
New York State Route 5S
New York State Route 5S is located to the south of the New York State Thruway (I-90) and traverses the Town of Glen and the Village of Fultonville in an east-west direction. Within the Village of Fultonville, Route 5S is known as Prospect Street to the west and Church Street to the east of its intersection with Route 30A. Parking is prohibited along the entire section of Route 5S. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has classified this route as a Rural Major Collector Road. The route is not part of a Qualifying or Access highway designated for use by special dimension vehicles.
Route 5S is part of New York State Bike Route 5. Bicycle route markers indicating as such are provided along the road. However, bicycle accommodations via bike lanes are not provided. The Canalway Trail system, located to north and running parallel with Route 5S, provides for a safe and adequate access for bicycle traffic, as well as pedestrians.
Available 2005 NYSDOT traffic counts for Route 5S estimate the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) at the intersection of Route 30A to be 2,160 vehicles and the AADT at the intersection with Route 920P to be 2,660 vehicles. According to the NYSDOT 2003 Highway Sufficiency Ratings, eight percent (8%) is represented by truck traffic.
Motorists traveling on Route 5S experience a significant change in the character of the road. The roadway segment west of its intersection with Conable Drive includes wide travel lanes and shoulders that are typical of rural highways, which tend to encourage high rate of speed with the emphasis on moving traffic as efficiently as possible through a corridor. Pedestrian accommodations are not provided along this segment of the road.26
26 Village of Fultonville Community Development Strategic Plan, 2006.
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From Conable Drive to Route 30A, the character of the road changes to an urban setting. Pedestrian accommodations via concrete curb and sidewalks are provided along the south side of the road. This area includes numerous landscaping amenities such as a public green area consisting of well-maintained landscaping amenities that include, benches, trees and historic styled monument that enhance the visual environment. The north side includes curbing, but no sidewalks. From Conable Drive to Upper Mohawk Street, there are numerous residential driveways on the north side with direct access to Route 5S.
From Route 30A to the east end of the Village, the character of the road changes back to a rural setting, with wide travel lanes and shoulders that tend to encourage a high rate of speed with the emphasis on moving traffic as efficiently as possible through a corridor. Pedestrian accommodations are not provided along this segment of the road.
New York State Route 30A
Route 30A traverses the Town of Glen, Village of Fultonville, Village of Fonda and Town of Mohawk in a north-south direction. NYSDOT has classified it as a Rural Minor Arterial Road. The route is also part of a Qualifying and Access highway designated for use by special dimension vehicles. Route 30A overlaps with Route 5 in the Village of Fonda and is a major north – south route used by trucks traveling to the Johnstown Industrial Park causing both Village downtowns a significant amount of truck traffic.
Within the Village of Fultonville, Route 30A is known as Main Street and it crosses the bridge over the Mohawk River to the Village of Fonda. Parking is allowed between its intersection with Route 5S and Union Street.
According to traffic data obtained from the NYSDOT 2005 Traffic Volume Report, the estimated Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of Route 30A at the intersection of Route 5S was 3,430. From the middle of the bridge over the Mohawk River to where Route 30A overlaps with Route 5 in the Village of Fonda, the AADT was 6,338 northbound and 6,481 southbound, or a total of 12,819. In 2003, only nine percent (9%) of this volume was represented by heavy vehicle truck traffic, although according to the NYSDOT 2005 Highway Sufficiency Ratings, of this total traffic volume, over twelve percent (12.43%) was represented by truck traffic.
Motorists traveling northbound on Route 30A experience a significant change in the character of the road. The roadway segment in the Town of Glen includes wide travel
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 55 II. Inventory and Analysis lanes and shoulders that are typical of rural highways, which tend to encourage high rate of speed with the emphasis on moving traffic as efficiently as possible through a corridor. Pedestrian accommodations are not provided along this segment of the road.27
From Franklin Street to Riverside Drive in the Village of Fultonville, the character of the road changes to an urban setting. Pedestrians along the east side of the road are accommodated via concrete curb and sidewalks. On the west side of the road, pedestrian accommodations via curb and sidewalks are provided beginning south of the intersection with Ann Street in the Village of Fultonville.
At the intersection of Riverside Drive (Route 920P), traffic is controlled by a traffic signal system with pedestrian amenities such as push buttons at Riverside Drive and northbound Route 30A approaches. Pedestrian push buttons are not provided on the southbound Route 30A approach. A crosswalk is only provided for the Riverside Drive crossing. Route 30A crosses over the Mohawk into the Village of Fonda where it overlaps with Route 5 and continues north in to Fulton County. This section of Route 30A/Route 5 is heavily used by trucks traveling to and from the Johnston area.
New York State DOT has a planned bridge replacement on Route 30A over the railroad track, north of fairgrounds that will go out to bid November 12, 2009. The project may entail the construction of a temporary bridge in order to keep traffic moving and may improve mobility because of the new alignment.
Truck Traffic
Truck traffic differs from passenger cars and light trucks by their size, weight, and operational characteristics. Due to the excessive weight of truck traffic and the difficulty encountered when maneuvering, the amount of truck traffic can significantly affect the longevity of pavement, curbing, driveway entrances and other features of the roadway system if not properly designed. Truck
27 Village of Fultonville Community Development Strategic Plan, 2006
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 56 II. Inventory and Analysis traffic also imposes environmental concerns, such as noise and air pollution which detract from the attractiveness of operating or patronizing Main Street businesses in Fonda and Fultonville.
As previously noted, Riverside Drive (Route 920P) and Route 30A (Main Street) are designated as Qualifying Highways for larger dimension vehicles and as a result, a significant amount of truck traffic utilizes these roads for access. Pedestrian crossing on Main Street in Fultonville (Route 30A) or on Main Street in Fonda (Route 5) is a safety concern due to the large truck traffic. A large amount of truck traffic travel through the Village of Fultonville and Fonda because the truck drivers utilize the Thruway, Route 30A and Route 5 to get to and from the large industrial parks in the Johnstown and Amsterdam area. According to local residents, traveling by car to either of these downtown areas during peak travel times is nearly impossible because truck traffic clogs Route 5, Route 30A and Riverside Drive.
The Village of Fultonville has become a popular location for truck stops and related businesses due to its convenient accessibility off the Thruway as well as its relationship to other designated Qualifying and Access Highways (Route 5 and Route 30A). Truck stops provide many amenities for truck drivers including, motels with a convenient store, restaurant and hot showers, a truck wash, large parking areas for trucks and diesel gas. During public workshops, some residents voiced the opinion that the truck stops have an overall positive effect on the Village of Fultonville. However, residents in the Village of Fonda feel that truck traffic hinders growth in the Village and that a new truck route bypassing the downtown area should be considered. These opinions were driven by the environmental concerns such as noise and air pollution, the perceived high speed of traffic when traveling on Main Street, and safety issues due to the size of the trucks.
Train Traffic
The Village of Fonda and Town of Mohawk are bisected by railroad lines owned operated by CSX Transportation. The railroad is located between the north shore of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal and Route 5 and is used by both freight and Amtrak passenger trains traveling east and west through the communities. The nearest Amtrak station is located 12 miles east of Fonda, on Route 5 in the City of Amsterdam. Amtrak services the area with five passenger trains passing through the area daily, traveling between New York City and Toronto Canada. Approximately forty CSX freight trains travel through the area daily, running on a twenty-
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 57 II. Inventory and Analysis four hour a day schedule. Freight and passenger trains cause a great deal of noise, vibration and dust, as well as safety concerns to local residents.
There are two at-grade railroad crossings within the Village, one at the intersection of Center Street and the other at the intersection of Broadway. Safety of these two at-grade crossings has been of great concern to local residents and the NYS DOT for many years. Two recent fatal accidents occurred in Fonda at the Center Street at-grade crossing. The first accident in 2005, which was apparently caused by a CSX employee that had manually caused the safety gates to rise prematurely in error, and the second, in 2007, was caused by human error on the part of the elderly pedestrian. In 2006, the railroad petitioned to have the Center Street crossing closed; however, the result of a public hearing was for the crossing area to remain open, due to an outcry of local emergency personnel to keep it open in order to give emergency vehicles options to circumvent the traffic that backs up on Route 30A.28 The Route 30A bridge allows for safer travel over the railroad, passing over the tracks just north of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has plans to replace this bridge in 2009.
28 Telephone correspondence with Edward Rosen of NYSDOT, 12-31-07.
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F. Existing Land and Water Use
Highlights
The Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) contains 930 tax parcels totaling approximately 3,757 acres, or 5.9 square miles.
The total assessed value of land and structures within the WRA is approximately $51,670,000.
The largest land area within the WRA is covered by properties assessed as Agricultural, making up 44.8% of the total land area, or approximately 1,684 acres. Following agriculture, in second is Residential with 16.5%, third is Public Services with 10.5%, and the fourth largest land area is Vacant land with 8.6% of the WRA. Properties assessed as Industrial cover the smallest land area in the WRA, representing 36 acres or 1% of the total land area. (See Table 11 for a complete breakdown of land use in the WRA).
Land Use Patterns
General land use patterns in the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) developed as a result of historic settlement characteristics coupled with modern building codes, zoning ordinances, and subdivision regulations. Development patterns in the WRA have been greatly influenced by many factors, including its waterfront location, natural terrain, fertile farmland, streams, and the existing railroad, road and bridge network.
The existing land use pattern in the WRA is typical for Upstate New York villages and towns that were settled along the Mohawk River. The historic Main Streets in the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville currently consist of a mix of commercial and residential uses with commercial uses on the first floor and residential and professional uses on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Retail uses include local restaurants and take- out businesses, chain establishments, beauty salons, post offices, banks, hardware, convenience and automotive related shops. Most of the community and civic buildings are located in the villages, including Village Hall, Montgomery County Offices, Public
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Works departments, churches, libraries and museums. Residential areas generally surround the Main Street areas within the Villages. Fultonville has a highway commercial type of land use along Riverside Drive, which serves truck and automotive traffic entering and leaving the New York Thruway at exit 28. (See Map 2: Existing Land Uses).
The land uses for the surrounding towns are primarily agriculture to the east and west in areas that are primarily flood plains. To the north and south of the Villages are a mixture of agriculture and residential uses. Another interesting land use pattern is the large amount of public land along the Mohawk River. A major land use throughout the project area is transportation and includes the publicly owned New York State Thruway, State Highways 5 and 5S and the privately owned CSX Railroad. Another use on public land is recreation. The Canal Recreationway Trail and the Fonda Fairgrounds are primary examples of that. It is noteworthy that there are no public parks along the Mohawk River.
Village Main Street Conditions
While the Village‟s of Fonda and Fultonville once thrived as “canal towns” with vibrant commercial Main Streets, today both downtown areas on either side of the river are in need of commercial revitalization that integrates economic development; design improvements; including pedestrian access and safety; community image enhancement; and organization. Many of the key historic Main Street buildings in Fonda and Fultonville currently stand vacant and suffer from physical deterioration, decay, neglect, and disinvestment. Although the Village of Fultonville has experienced a slight increase in population over the last decade, like many other small villages across New York State, Fonda has experienced a population decline in recent years. The median household income of the Village of Fonda was only $26,314 with 12.4% of the population living below poverty level according to the 2000 Census. The Village of Fonda has the largest percentage of renter -occupied housing units and the largest percentage of vacant housing units.
Although many of the core historical Main Street buildings in the Village of Fultonville still suffer from physical deterioration and disinvestment, the Village is in the process of implementing and promoting a number of local revitalization efforts involving
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 60 II. Inventory and Analysis housing and Main Street improvements. Over the past four years, Fultonville completed a Community Development Strategic Plan, secured $1,174,000 in housing rehabilitation funds, $200,000 for Main Street façade rehabilitation, and over $600,000 for sidewalk improvements along Riverside Drive.
The Village of Fultonville also benefits from a large concentration of commercial activity along Riverside Drive including gasoline stations, truck stops, body shops and fast food establishments. Although this commercial development is key to the Village‟s tax base, because Riverside Avenue parallels the shoreline, it functions as a barrier to the Mohawk River from the Village's business and residential areas, effectively limiting residents‟ physical and visual access to the enjoyment of the river. Other than the NYS Canal Maintenance Facility in Fonda and the Fonda Fairgrounds, which are only semi-public properties, there are no other public access points to the Mohawk River within the WRA. In addition, there are currently no places within the WRA to launch a kayak or canoe without private landowner permission.
Pedestrian circulation and safety from the waterfront to the Main Street areas of both historic villages is also a great concern within the study area. In the Village of Fultonville, Riverside Drive (NYS Route 920P), is used primarily for access to the Thruway (I-90) interchange 28, and is also a NYSDOT designated truck route. The Fultonville Main Street (NYS Route 30A) and the Fonda Main Street (NY State Route 5) are also designated truck routes for use by special dimension vehicles. The Village of Fultonville has become a popular location for truck stops and related businesses due to its convenient accessibility off the Thruway (I-90), and a large amount of trucks travel through both the Village of Fonda and Fultonville to get to and from the large industrial parks in the Johnstown and Amsterdam area.
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Access to the majority of waterfront property in Fultonville is severely constrained because there is no on-street parking allowed on Riverside Drive and the current level of truck traffic makes pedestrian crossing of Riverside Drive very difficult. Although pedestrians are generally accommodated via concrete sidewalks along one or both sides of the major roadways, the sidewalk system is fragmented in areas, there are few pedestrian crossing signals and pedestrian crossing on the Main Streets in Fonda and Fultonville is viewed as unsafe due to the large amount of truck traffic. Furthermore, it is often even difficult for automobile drivers to exit the on-street parking spaces on Main Street in Fonda and Fultonville due to the truck traffic, making patronage of Main Street businesses slightly more undesirable. Truck traffic also imposes environmental concerns, such as noise and air pollution which detract from the attractiveness of operating or patronizing Main Street businesses in Fonda and Fultonville.
The Village of Fonda and Town of Mohawk are bisected by railroad lines owned operated by CSX Transportation. The railroad is located between the north shore of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal and Route 5 and is used by both freight and Amtrak passenger trains traveling east and west through the communities. The nearest Amtrak station is located 12 miles east of Fonda, on Route 5 in the City of Amsterdam. Approximately forty CSX freight trains travel through the area daily, running on a twenty-four hour a day schedule. Freight and passenger trains cause a great deal of noise, vibration and dust, as well as safety concerns to local residents.
There are two at-grade railroad crossings within the Village of Fonda, one at the intersection of Center Street and the other at the intersection of Broadway. Safety of these two at- grade crossings has been of great concern to local residents and the NYSDOT for many years. Two recent fatal accidents occurred in Fonda at the Center Street at-grade crossing. The Route 30A bridge allows for safer travel over the railroad, passing over the tracks just north of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
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Main Street Opportunities
Today both the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville are looking to expand upon their waterfront resources by linking the Main Streets to the waterfront. By focusing revitalization efforts on Main Street, existing housing conditions, and community facilities, the partnering communities can encourage development of a variety of uses, including retail shops and restaurants, that will be of quality design and could not only draw people to the Main Street areas, but support the regional economy and the proposed waterfront improvement projects. Coupling the revitalization activities with other efforts to promote the area‟s historic and cultural resources, the partnering communities can foster a vital and tangible connection between its existing Main Street business districts and the Mohawk River.
Water Use Patterns
The Mohawk River, also known as the Erie Canal, is currently used for both commercial shipping and recreational boating and fishing. The New York State Canal Corporation regulates activity on the Canal and operates a number of flood control gates and locks, although none are located within the project boundary. Although pleasure boating is increasing on the Mohawk River/Erie Canal, there are unfortunately no places within the WRA for boats to tie up and access land and nearby businesses and services. The nearest boat launch is located at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, about four miles east of the WRA. There are a variety of opportunities for waterfront uses due to the fact that there are a large number of state and locally-owned waterfront properties within the WRA. Waterfront access improvements such as boat launches, floating docks, and marinas would help generate tourism and promote the revitalization of the village‟s Main Street business districts by providing public access to and from the Mohawk River. In order to continue revitalization efforts within the downtowns, it is vital that the communities be accessible to tourist boater traffic. Local residents and tourists deserve new opportunities for public visual and physical access to the waterfront, areas for picnicking and relaxing by the water, as well as areas for active use of the water for a variety of recreation types, such as, motor boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
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Public Access & Public Land Ownership
Public access to the Mohawk River shoreline within the Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary (WRA) is severely limited. Although there are a number of publically-owned waterfront properties, there are currently no public parks, recreational fishing areas, boat launches, floating docks, marinas, or passive waterfront trails within the WRA. Although the Econo Lodge in Fultonville (formally known as The Poplars), owns and maintains a private boat launch, the nearest public boat launch is located at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, about four miles east of the WRA. The Poplars was once a very popular waterfront motel/restaurant and would be a good candidate for redevelopment. The only boat docking facility that exists in the WRA is the mooring wall at the Section 3 Canal Maintenance Facility in the Village of Fonda. Although some local boaters are aware that the mooring wall is open to the public, the opportunity is poorly advertised perhaps due to the fact that the primary use of the wall is reserved for necessary canal gate maintenance operations at the facility. In addition, the security gates to the Canal Corporation property close at 3:30 and boaters must check in at the office before leaving and borrow a key to gain access to the property after hours, making docking at this facility inconvenient.
Throughout the public participation process of this plan, a number of citizens mentioned the difficulty boaters have in getting to the villages once docked, and the citizens on land feel they do not have ready access to the waterfront. Currently, the Canal Maintenance Facility property is underutilized by the public, but with its existing infrastructure, which could quickly and inexpensively be enhanced, there is great potential to draw visitors to the area if improvements were made to ensure the maintenance facility‟s security and access needs.
The facility has a sizeable amount of underutilized land, which has potential for parkland and other water-based recreation activities. The Canal Corporation property is ideal for picnicking since it has a large open grass area that is well maintained and a few grills are currently available for public use. Boaters also have the option of leaving the property and walking to the nearby Fonda Fairgrounds/Speedway, or even walking to the Village downtown areas in Fonda or Fultonville, just across the bridge.
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A large amount of vacant waterfront land directly abutting the Mohawk River is publicly owned, either by the State, County or local municipalities. Public ownership is a significant factor in implementing future waterfront improvement projects. (See Map 3: Public Lands) A large strip of land representing nearly the entire waterfront area on the south side of the Mohawk River is owned by the Village of Fultonville and New York State. In addition to the large Canal Corporation Maintenance Facility property, the Village of Fonda and Montgomery County own the Fonda Fairgrounds and the Fonda Sewage Treatment Plant which are located on two large key pieces of underutilized riverfront property on the north side of the Mohawk River. Many other publically-owned properties are concentrated on the north side of the Mohawk River in the Village of Fonda‟s downtown area, including the Old County Courthouse, County Annex building and Town of Mohawk Public Works Department.
Analysis of Existing Land Use in the WRA
A detailed land use map was created to illustrate the existing land uses for each parcel in the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) (See Map 2: Existing Land Uses). The WRA‟s Existing Land Use Map was created by the Montgomery County Planning Department. Each individual parcel was assigned a land use category based on the New York State Real Property Type Classification Codes. The local tax assessors use these codes to complete real property tax assessment for the towns and villages. Accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed, as the information is only updated on an annual basis. The database will not always reflect the most current use of a particular parcel, especially if it has been abandoned or changed, and the local Assessor is not notified.
The following land use categories are depicted on the Existing Land Use Map:
Agricultural – Property used as a part of an operating farm that does not have living accommodations and is used for the production of crops and/or raising of livestock.
Residential – Property used for human habitation. Living accommodations such as hotels, motels, and apartments are in the Commercial category.
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Vacant – Property that is not in use, is in temporary use, or lacks permanent improvement
Commercial – Property that is used for the sale of goods and/or services
Recreation/Entertainment – Property used for parks, theaters, racetracks, bowling centers, health spas, beaches, campgrounds, etc.
Community Services – Property that is used for the well being of the community.
Industrial - Property used for the production and fabrication of durable and non- durable goods, mining, quarrying, etc.
Public Services - Property used for electric or gas power generation or transmission, public drinking water and water treatment facilities, communications, train, plane, and bus terminals, canals, waste disposal, sewer treatment, etc.
Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands & Public Parks - Includes State, Federal and privately owned forestlands, reforested lands, and preserves; Village, Town, County and State public parkland; and private hunting and fishing clubs.
Table 11 below breaks down the WRA properties into nine (9) classifications. The information listed in the table is based on the Montgomery County GIS system. According to Montgomery County GIS information, the WRA contains 930 tax parcels totaling approximately 3,757 acres, or 5.9 square miles. These figures are taxable parcels only and do not include land area covered by roads and rivers and hydrologic features. The total assessed value of land and structures within the WRA is approximately $51,670,000.
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Table 11: Land Use by Classification
Land Use Category # Acres % of Total # Parcels % of Total Agricultural 1,683.5 44.8% 35 3.8% Commercial 114.9 3.1% 106 11.4% Community Services 317.1 8.4% 35 3.8% Industrial 36.2 1.0% 5 0.5% Public Services 393.4 10.5% 23 2.5% Recreation & Entertainment 62.4 1.7% 6 0.6% Residential 618.6 16.5% 558 60.0% Vacant Land 322.5 8.6% 135 14.5% Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands & Public Parks 208.3 5.5% 27 2.9% Total 3,756.9 100.0% 930 100.0%
As indicated in Table 11, and visible on the WRA Existing Land Use Map, the largest land area within the WRA is covered by properties assessed as Agricultural, making up 44.8% of the total land area, or approximately 1,684 acres. Since agricultural activity requires large tracts of land, agricultural land comprises only a small number of parcels (35) relative to the total (930) as expected.
The second largest land use category is Residential, making up 16.5% of the total area, or approximately 619 acres. Residential parcels are scattered throughout the WRA with larger parcels being located along the borders and smaller parcels concentrated in the Villages. There are 558 residential parcels in the WRA representing 60% of the total parcels.
Properties designated as Public Services cover approximately 10.5% of WRA land, or 393 acres. This land represents a strip that covers nearly the entire waterfront area on the south side of the Mohawk River which is owned by the Village of Fultonville and a smaller area along the waterfront on the north side which is owned by the Village of Fonda and the railroad. There are also a few properties under this category that are owned by Niagara Mohawk. There are 23 public services parcels in Town, or 2.5% of the total number of parcels.
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Properties classified as Vacant Land occupy 8.6% of the WRA‟s total acreage and approximately 323 acres. The greatest concentrations of vacant land are located in the Village of Fultonville on the south side of the river and outside the Village of Fonda on the north side of the river. Vacant land totals 135 parcels, representing 14.5% of the total parcels in the WRA.
Community Services represent 8.4% or 317 acres of the WRA. Most of the community services parcels are concentrated on the north side of the Mohawk River in the Village of Fonda‟s downtown area, just west of the Village, and in an area stretching from the northeast corner of the Village into the WRA beyond the Village borders. There are 35 parcels in this category or 3.8% of the total parcels in WRA.
Property assessed as Wild, Forested, Conservation Lands, and Public Parks comprises 5.5% of the total land area, or approximately 208 acres. Single, large parcels are found along the waterfront in both the Village of Fonda and the Village of Fultonville, in addition to other areas on or near the waterfront outside Village boundaries. The large Canal Corporation Maintenance Facility falls within this category. This land use categories is comprised of 27 parcels, representing 2.9% of the WRA‟s total parcels.
Commercial properties make up 3.1% of 115 acres of the total WRA area. The majority of commercial properties are located in the villages, although a number of parcels are found outside of the villages to the east and west. The 106 commercial parcels represent 11.4% of the parcels in the WRA.
Properties assessed as Recreation and Entertainment represent only 1.7% of the total WRA, or approximately 62 acres. The largest recreation and entertainment parcel is the Fonda Fairgrounds, located on the north side of the river in the Village of Fonda, adjacent to three smaller parcels, which encompass the Fireman‟s Park. Two remaining small parcels are found in the Village of Fultonville on the south side of the river. These six parcels represent 0.6% of the WRA‟s total parcels.
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Properties assessed as Industrial cover the smallest land area in the WRA, representing 36 acres or 1% of the total land area. The two largest parcels are located in the northwest corner of the Village of Fonda and on the south side of the river to the east of the Village of Fultonville. There are 5 parcels representing 0.5% of the WRA‟s total parcels.
Land and Water Use Conclusions
The land use patterns in the WRA generally serve the needs of area residents with the exception of a lack of industrial land and lack of public waterfront access points. How existing land use patterns function and how land use is locally regulated deserves a closer look. Land use regulations (zoning) are discussed in the next section. The ability to integrate land and water uses needs to be addressed in order to improve public access to the water and from the land. Some general conclusions are:
The main street areas in the villages need economic revitalization and reinvestment.
While there appears to be ample residential land, there are significant amounts of vacant, underutilized and distressed residential properties, especially in the core of the villages.
The historic character of the area has been compromised by demolition and incompatible new development.
New development proposals should encourage the preservation of existing historic building stock or the construction of compatible new building design.
There is a lack of land available for water-related recreational land for boating, fishing and enjoyment of the river.
There are underutilized opportunities in developing a better-linked trail system between the two Villages and surrounding Towns.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 69 OLD TRAIL
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Existing Zoning
Highlights
The Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Village of Fultonville have all adopted zoning ordinances while the Village of Fonda has not yet adopted a zoning ordinance.
The Town of Glen’s zoning ordinance specifies only four districts and is the least specialized while the Town of Mohawk and Village of Fultonville specify seven and six districts respectively.
All three municipalities include residential, commercial, and industrial type districts.
The Town of Mohawk is the only municipality with a Natural Products district and an Agricultural district.
The Town of Glen is the only municipality with a Hamlet district.
Zoning Overview
Zoning is defined as the delineation of districts and the establishment of regulations governing the use, placement, spacing and size of land and buildings. New York State law gives local municipalities the authority to establish zoning and create zoning boards that make zoning, land use decisions as well as approve subdivisions of land. Zoning is an important component of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan in that the zoning regulations directly impact the implementation of LWRP projects and what type of land use is permitted.
Within the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA), the Towns of Glen and Mohawk and the Village of Fultonville have zoning; while the Village of Fonda does not. In order to simplify the description of the different zoning types for the project municipalities, they will be described in a merged, generalized way. Keep in mind that the actual zoning and permitted land uses may vary from municipality to municipality. (See Map 4: Existing Zoning)
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The basic zoning categories used in this section are as follows:
Agricultural (A): This zone allows most agricultural uses and single-family homes.
Commercial (C): This zone is for general business and retail sales.
Industrial (I): The industrial zone is for general light manufacturing and warehousing.
Natural Park (N-P): This zone allows open space or public lands and parks.
Residential 1- (R-1): Residential 1 is low-density residential development, usually single-family homes.
Residential 2 (R-2): Residential 2 is a medium-density residential zone and may include duplexes and apartments.
Mobile Home (R-M): This zone is reserved for mobile homes.
Existing Municipal Zoning District Descriptions
Village of Fultonville: The Village is zoned primarily residential (R-1) to the south of the New York State Thruway and commercial (C) in the village center area and along the Riverfront Drive area; an area that is a highway commercial type businesses zone with uses such as motels, gas stations and truck stops. A more dense, residential zone R-2 is located to the south of Riverside Drive. An industrial zone is located along the Mohawk River on the northwestern shore and an area just north of the Thruway and the area surrounding the R-2 zone.
Town of Glen: The area within the Town of Glen located inside the LWRP boundary is primarily zoned agricultural with the exception of the Riverside Drive area; just to the west of Fultonville, which is zoned commercial. Riverside Drive is also the location where exit 27 of the New York State Thruway terminates, which funnels large amounts of tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles.
The Village of Fonda does not have zoning.
Town of Mohawk: The Town‟s zoning within the LWRP area is a mixture of agricultural, to the west and east, commercially zoned land along Route 5 just to the east and west of Fonda, and residentially zoned land (R-1 and 2) along Hickory Hill Road to the west, and on the hillside overlooking Fonda on the north east.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 74 II. Inventory and Analysis
Zoning Analysis and Conclusions
The “traditional” zoning regulations currently being used by the Towns of Glen and Mohawk and the Village Fultonville are generally adequate for the current level of development activity. However, it may be advantageous to consider creating or amending zoning codes that encourage and make redevelopment easier by allowing more flexibility for mixed-use redevelopments in the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda. While large amounts of the land along the WRA area is publicly owned, adding water based recreation as a permitted use for any zone that abuts the Mohawk River might remove land use restrictions that hinder its creation.
The Village of Fonda needs to implement zoning codes. The first step in creating a zoning code is to develop a comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan would include a vision statement, involve the stakeholder and public input, and generate an inventory and analysis of the existing conditions. All of that information would be put together and become the basis for a new set of zoning codes. The comprehensive plan would also include an action plan and timeline on how to implement the plan. Some zoning analysis conclusions are:
Allowing smaller lot sizes to the Village areas might create and encourage infill- housing opportunities.
Consider amending zoning code to allow mixed-use development, which allows first floor commercial and upper floor residential use.
Include water based recreation uses as a permitted use along waterfront property.
Consider design guidelines for new or re-development projects.
Develop a comprehensive plan and zoning for the Village of Fonda.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 75
G. Natural Resources & Environmentally Sensitive Features
Highlights
The Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda have a variety of natural resources such as the Mohawk River, Schoharie Creek, preserved and regulated wetland areas, scenic view sheds, wildlife habitats and geologic features, that are important contributors to the aesthetic, recreational, and economic assets of the involved communities’ quality of life.
The topography in the Villages of Fonda and Fultonville is relatively flat along the river and becomes steeper moving further from the river’s edge.
Watersheds within the Town of Glen include the Schoharie Creek, Auries Creek, and Van Wie Creek. The seven watersheds located within the Town of Mohawk include Briggs Run, Cayadutta Creek, Danascara, Kayaderosseras Creek, Knauderack Creek, Tekakwitha, and Tribes Hill Creek.
The Mohawk River and its tertiary streams contribute to the groundwater aquifers of the WRA communities.
The Mohawk River is classified by NYSDEC as either B or C within the WRA because two designated segments of the river meet at the Villages. These classifications represent water that is suitable for primary and secondary contact recreation, fishing, and fish propagation and survival (B), and water that is best suited for fish propagation and survival (C).
All of the Mohawk River tributaries located within the Town of Mohawk and Glen WRA are classified as C water bodies. Documentation by the NYS DEC indicates that aquatic life and aesthetics have been impacted, and the level of severity has been designated as “stressed” in some of these tributaries.
The Towns of Mohawk and Glen participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Program.
The Flood of 2006 caused significant damage within the Village of Fultonville. Grant funding has been awarded to help repair the main Village pump, pump station, and emergency utility pump.
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Three large Class II wetlands are located in both the Town of Mohawk and Town of Glen, five of which are located on private property.
Within the WRA, three species and two ecological communities have been classified as either rare or endangered by NYSDEC.
The Towns of Mohawk and Glen and the Villages of Fultonville and Fonda are fortunate to have a variety of natural resources and features that have a positive influence on the local economy and are also enjoyable for both aesthetic and recreational purposes. Natural resources such as the Mohawk River, Schoharie Creek, preserved and regulated wetland areas, scenic view sheds, wildlife habitats and geologic features are important contributors to the aesthetic, recreational, and economic assets of the involved communities‟ quality of life.
In some sections of the following discussion, specific information is only included about the Towns of Mohawk and Glen; however, it can be assumed that this information also applies to their respective Villages.
Geology
About 550 million years ago much of New York State was a low-lying, gently rolling expanse of land only slightly above sea level. During the Ordovician period (490-430 million years ago) the area sank and was covered by salt water for approximately 325 million years. During this time, great quantities of sand, mud, lime and salt accumulated under marine conditions. These sediments hardened into the bedrock that underlies the communities within the WRA today.
The present day landscape is due to the glacial stage in New York State, which began approximately 50,000 to 100,000 years ago during the Pleistocene ice age. The glaciers transformed the landscape of the State by changing river patterns, reshaping mountains and depositing rock debris known as glacial till. Throughout the ice age there were a series of glacial advances and retreats.29 The final glacier retreat, the Wisconsin Glacier, occurred about 8,000-10,000 years ago.30
The vast majority of the area is underlain by soft Canajoharie and Utica Shales, which have eroded to elevations about 1,000 feet below the surrounding highlands of the
29 Town of Mohawk Comprehensive Plan, April 2001. 30 Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan, July 2006.
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Adirondack Mountains and Appalachian uplands. A narrow strip along the Mohawk River is underlain by Glens Falls, Amsterdam, and Lowville Limestones.
Topography and Slope
When considering areas suitable for development, the topographic conditions of an area become a main factor in influencing the type of development that is feasible in that area.
Development on hillsides can reduce groundwater percolation and thus lead to increased runoff, destruction of water quality, and increased erosion, flooding, possibly even landslides. The cost associated with developing on steep slopes increases because of the extra measures that need to be taken to combat the problems listed above. Lack of slope, on the other hand, retards the drainage of surface water and limits the effectiveness of sanitary sewage disposal systems. Development may be prohibited by the presence of wetlands or seasonally wet soils in some areas.
Slopes of 0-3% are generally poorly drained and are likely to contain wetlands, seasonally wet soils or flood prone areas. Slopes of 3-8% are the most suitable for development providing there is careful consideration of site-specific features, such as ground cover, soils, and water features. Development on moderate slopes (8-15%) should be analyzed carefully and the necessary erosion control techniques should be practiced. Large commercial and industrial structures should be discouraged from building on lands with a moderate slope. In general, all development should be avoided on severe slopes (greater than 15%) because development of these slopes will most likely result in severe erosion.
The elevation of the Town of Mohawk within the WRA begins at 200 feet above sea level along the river and reaches its highest point of approximately 410 feet along its northern border only half a mile from the riverbank. The change in elevation is gradual between the river‟s edge and Route 5, which was carved out of the hillside. Beyond Route 5 to the north, the topography changes suddenly from relatively flat ground into a hill. This hill has not prohibited development however, and many houses are actually located here. The second highest point in the WRA of just over 400 feet is also located along the Village‟s northern border but slightly west of the previously described hill.
The elevation of the Town of Glen within the WRA, which includes the Village of Fultonville, changes from 200 feet along the riverbank to just over 500 feet in the
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 78 II. Inventory and Analysis southwest corner. Although this elevation change is greater than within the WRA on the north side of the river, it is more gradual.
Naturally, all land becomes steeper as the distance from the river increases; however, the elevation in the southeast corner of the WRA as opposed to the southwest corner only reaches approximately 400 feet. Similar to the WRA within the Town of Mohawk on the north side of the river, most of the land on the western side of the Village of Fultonville shows a gradual change in elevation.
Unlike the portion of the WRA to the north of the river, the majority of development to the south has occurred at the foot of the hill and throughout the floodplain zone along the river.
Surface Waters
Watersheds
The geographical features that determine where water from rivers, streams, and stormwater runoff collects define a watershed. A watershed is a catchment area of a stream, river or other water body, and entails all the land uphill from the water body. It is important for municipalities to consider these watersheds when making development decisions, because a project in one area has the potential to affect wildlife habitats and residents that are not in the immediate vicinity of the new development activity. The Montgomery County Water Quality Committee has identified three primary watersheds in the Town of Glen and seven in the Town of Mohawk.
Watersheds within the Town of Glen include the Schoharie Creek, Auries Creek, and Van Wie Creek. The Schoharie Creek Watershed covers an area of 27,269 acres in the County, with a large percentage represented in the Town. The Auries Creek watershed is also prominent in the Town of Glen, covering half its land area. Finally, the Van Wie Creek represents a relatively small watershed by comparison, located entirely within the County.31 Some sections of these watersheds are found within the WRA.
(See Map 5: Natural Features)
31 Town of Glen Comprehensive Plan, July 2006.
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The seven watersheds located within the Town of Mohawk include Briggs Run, Cayadutta Creek, Danascara, Kayaderosseras Creek, Knauderack Creek, Tekakwitha, and Tribes Hill Creek. All of these watersheds with the exception of Knauderack Creek and Cayadutta are significantly smaller than the watersheds present in the Town of Glen. Both the Schoharie Creek and Auries Creek remain larger than all of the watersheds in the Town of Mohawk. The Briggs Run Watershed represents a watershed of particular importance to the residents of Fonda, located within the Town of Glen. Fonda Reservoir is the primary source of water for the residents of Fonda, which is located within this watershed. Some sections of these watersheds are found within the WRA.
Mohawk River
The primary surface water resource that represents the focal area of this revitalization program is the Mohawk River. This river and its tertiary streams contribute to the groundwater aquifers of the involved Towns and Villages. The Mohawk River provides a number of amenities to the residents, including, but not limited to: recreation, aesthetics, wildlife habitat, aquifer recharge, and drinking and commercial water supplies.
New York State uses a water quality index represented by letter categories to classify water bodies, which has been applied to the Mohawk River. The water quality ratings range from class A to class D. Class A represents those waters that are suitable for drinking water, culinary or food processing purposes, primary and secondary contact recreation, and fish propagation and survival. Class B represents those waters that are suitable for primary and secondary contact recreation, fishing, and fish propagation and survival. Water that is classified as C is best suited for fish propagation and survival. And finally, class D water bodies are suitable for fishing, but due to conditions of intermittency of flow and other water quality conditions, the survival of fish may be limited. Classified waters are protected and a permit is required for any stream disturbance due to development.
The Mohawk River is classified as either B or C within the WRA because two designated segments of the river meet at the Villages. The 3.7-mile segment between the Villages of Fonda/Fultonville and Auriesville to the east is designated as class C, while the 26.6-mile segment between the Villages of Fonda/Fultonville and Little Falls to the west is
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 81 II. Inventory and Analysis designated as class B.32 To reiterate, Class C waters are best suited for fish propagation and survival, and Class B waters are suitable for primary contact recreation and any other uses, except as a source of water supply for drinking, culinary or food processing. The DEC does not provide more specific testing information that could be applied to this WRA, which represents a much shorter distance than the 30.3-mile total tested segment that encompasses the WRA. Therefore, some of the documented information is applicable while some may not be relevant to the WRA.
The segment of the Mohawk River between Auriesville and Fonda/Fultonville classified as “C”, categorized as having “Minor Impacts”, and contains suspected aquatic life and recreation impacts at a stressed level. Suspected pollutants include nutrients and silt/sediment with possible pesticide and pathogen pollutants as well. Agriculture and urban runoff are speculated to be the source of the pollutants in this water segment, categorized as having minor impacts. Livestock waste loadings, improper manure application to fields, and nutrient and pesticide crop applications are the specific activities that have been associated with pollutant contribution. However, the most recent biological assessment completed in the year 2000 concluded that the water was non-impacted. Based on consecutive tests that were conducted in the past that yielded impacted results, an additional non-impacted assessment is required to change the status of the river segment from minor impact to no known impacts.33
The river segment between Fonda/Fultonville and Little Falls that is classified as B, and contains the same pollutants associated with the same pollutant sources as the previous river segment. NYS DEC categorizes this segment as “Needing Verification” in contrast to “Minor Impacts” because an adequate amount of testing has not yet been completed.34
Town of Mohawk Tributaries
All of the creeks in the Town of Mohawk WRA are classified as C water bodies by the NYS DEC, which designates a set of conditions best suited for fish propagation and survival. These include the Cayadutta Creek and two minor tributaries of the Mohawk River. According to the Priority Water bodies List prepared by the NYS DEC, there are
32 NYS Water Quality Report 2002, 2002 Mohawk River Basin Waterbody Inventory Priority Waterbodies List, and correspondence with NYS DEC, July 16, 2007. 33 Correspondence with NYS DEC, July 16, 2007. 34 Correspondence with NYS DEC, July 16, 2007.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 82 II. Inventory and Analysis no known impacts to the Cayadutta Creek, or at least not an amount that is large enough to warrant an alternative designation.35 Biological assessments have been completed on the Cayadutta Creek in 1986, 1992, and 1996 to determine the creek‟s water quality. Significant improvements were recorded in the 1992 tests, which were attributed to the construction of the Johnstown-Gloversville Waste Water Treatment Plant in 1991. Prior to the construction of the plant, severe water quality impacts were recorded at many testing locations; however, since its construction, only three sites have yielded even minimum impact test results.
The remaining two Mohawk River minor tributaries in the WRA within the Town of Mohawk are also designated as class C streams; however, the water quality is suspected to be lower than the Cayadutta Creek. Documentation by the NYS DEC claims that aquatic life and aesthetics have been impacted, and the level of severity has been designated as “stressed”. Agriculture and stream bank erosion have been suspected as a source of pollutants, which include nutrients, pathogens, silt/sediment, and pesticides. It is speculated that management practices at surrounding farms is poor, and livestock waste loadings coupled with improper applications of manure in crop fields represent contributing factors to the relatively poor water quality. In addition, nutrient and pesticides are currently applied to these fields in the absence of approved nutrient and pesticide management plans, and may also have an impact on the water quality of these minor tributaries. Only minimal specific monitoring data on these waters has been collected to date and the impact on these waters needs to be further verified.
Town of Glen Tributaries
The only other water body in the Town of Glen WRA other than the Mohawk River is an un-named stream that is a minor tributary of the river. It is also designated as a class C water body, similar to the streams found in the Town of Mohawk. Documentation by the NYS DEC again claims that aquatic life and aesthetics have been impacted, and the level of severity has been designated as “stressed”. Agriculture, stream bank erosion, and poor farm management practices are similarly suspected as the source of pollutants that
35 2002 Mohawk River Basin Waterbody Inventory Priority Waterbodies List and Correspondence with NYS DEC, July 16, 2007
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 83 II. Inventory and Analysis contribute to the relatively poor water quality. The condition of this creek needs further verification since only minimal specific monitoring data has been collected to date.
Floodplains
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program has delineated the flood hazard areas for the Mohawk River and its tributaries. FEMA generally identifies floodplain boundaries based on official FEMA maps. Development within FEMA floodplains is restricted because they function as water recharge areas, water storage areas during periods of heavy rains or snow thaw, and because the likelihood of water damage to homes and businesses located on them is great. In addition to the danger associated with flooding, floodplain boundaries are good indicators of sensitive environmental areas. Thus, efforts to restrict development in floodplains will usually have the added benefit of protecting other important natural resources and the hydrologic system. (See Map 5: Natural Features)
Any development within 100-year floodplain requires the purchase of mandatory flood insurance. According to the FEMA Flood Insurance Program, in areas exposed to 100-year floods, new or substantially improved dwellings are required to construct the lowest floor at a minimum height of the base flood level. The purpose of these restrictions is to provide protection against the perils of flood losses and encourage sound land use by minimizing exposure of property to damage. Clearly, the impact of erosion and flooding can be mitigated by the exclusion of permanent structures from the Flood Hazard Area. Allowing the removal of vegetation and the creation of impermeable area adds to erosion and flooding potential. Restrictions on flood zone development are necessary not only in the interest of protecting the integrity of natural ecosystems, but also to protect life and property.
Town of Mohawk & Village of Fonda
The Town of Mohawk and the Village of Fonda participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Program. The Natural Features Map shows the 100-year and 500-year flood zones combined, although more detailed maps of the flood zones are available from FEMA. According to FEMA, areas that have been
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 84 II. Inventory and Analysis designated as Zone A, are 100-year floodplains, meaning that statistically, it has a one- percent chance of being flooded in any given year.36
Within the Town of Mohawk and Village of Fonda, the floodplains more than one thousand feet from the water‟s edge into the WRA. There are several classifications of floodplains found within the Waterfront Revitalization Area (WRA) north of the Mohawk River, including Zones A, A6, A9, B, and C, with the majority of the floodplains designated as Zone A9. Table 12 summarizes these classifications.
Table 12: Floodplain Zones Zone Description Level of Risk Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Because High detailed analyses are not performed for such areas; no depths or A base flood elevations are shown within these zones. Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. In most High instances, base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses A6, A9 are shown at selected intervals within these zones. Areas outside the 1% annual chance floodplain, areas of 1% annual chance sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot, areas of 1% annual chance stream flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square miles, Moderate to Low or areas protected from the 1% annual chance flood by levees. No Base Flood Elevations or depths are shown within this B, C zone. Insurance purchase is not required in these zones. Source: FEMA Map Service Center
The majority of the north portion of the riverbank is classified as the 100-year floodplain (Zone A, A6 and A9). Based on the topography of the land, pockets of floodplains classified as 500-year floodplain (Zones B and C) are found at slightly higher elevations along the river‟s edge. Zone A and A6 are located along the local streams that flow into the Mohawk River, which are beyond the main floodplain corridor that directly abuts the river. As a result, flood insurance in the Town of Mohawk is sometimes required for properties that are located a considerable distance from the river.
36 Town of Mohawk Comprehensive Plan, April 2001.
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Town of Glen & Village of Fultonville
The Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville also participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Program; however, the total acreage of delineated floodplains is significantly less than the Town of Mohawk. While the lands adjacent to the Mohawk River in the Village of Fultonville have been designated as 100-year floodplains (Zone A and A9), they only represent a narrow strip of land rather than extending far from the water‟s edge as observed in the Village of Fonda. Floodplains in the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville have been classified as Zone A, A9, B or C. Descriptions of these zones can be found in Table 12. The largest floodplain area is located along the Mohawk River, just west of Main Street. This area extends approximately 400 feet into the Village from the riverbank between Main Street and Mohawk Street. The 500-year floodplain (Zone C) extends approximately 800 feet into the Village from the rivers edge.
Flood of 2006
Thirteen counties in the State of New York were severely flooded in late June of 2006 after days of unrelenting rain storms. Initially, a total of 275 miles of interstate highways, including the New York State Thruway, which runs through the Village of Fultonville, were closed to traffic. President Bush approved Federal Individual Assistance for 12 of the 13 flood-ravaged counties. The Individual Assistance Program provided assistance to homeowners, renters and small businesses through the Individual and Households Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling and Small Business Administration Disaster loans. The disaster aid included grants for rental assistance, home repairs, and other disaster-related needs and low- interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration were also made available for those who qualified. 37
The Flood of 2006 was the worst flooding the New York State Canal System experienced during a navigation season since construction of the barge canal began in 1905. Due to the heavy damage, including significant debris and erosion at many locks, the Mohawk River section of the Erie Canal remained closed for several weeks. Within the LWRP
37 NYS Executive Chambers George Pataki, Governor Press Office, Press Release, “Governor Announces Federal Aid for Flood Victims”, July 3, 2006
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WRA, the Village of Fultonville received the greatest extent of the damage, and programs are still in place to assist in the area‟s continued recovery. The Montgomery/Fulton Faith and Community Response Team serves as the primary information and referral agency for people who were impacted by the flooding and helps to determine the area‟s needs and priorities throughout this recovery process. This committee works in partnership with SEMO and FEMA to ensure local residents and communities as a whole receive necessary assistance. The Village of Fultonville has received funding to help repair the main Village pump, the pump station, and the emergency utility pump. A substantial amount of funding was also dedicated to the immediate clean up of debris and to dispose of structural damage waste. Other major projects have included cleaning storm water lines and repairing the Village‟s water control facility.
Wetlands
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), wetlands perform numerous functions, such as removing excess nutrients from water. These functions in turn provide benefits to the environment and to area residents. For example, the benefit derived from nutrient removal is improved or maintained water quality, which is valued as clean drinking water, safe recreation, and a stable fish and wildlife habitat. The Fresh Water Wetlands Act, Article 24, Part 664 of the Environmental Conservation Law requires NYSDEC to rank wetlands in one of four classes ranging from Class I, (the highest rank) which provide the most benefits to the environment, through Class IV, which provide the fewest benefits to the environment. It is more difficult to get a permit to alter a Class I wetland than it is to alter a Class IV wetland. (See Map 5: Natural Features)
Town of Mohawk
The Town of Mohawk contains three large wetlands in the WRA, all of which are on private property. These wetland areas are classified as type II, meaning they provide extensive environmental benefits, although not to the extent offered by type I. for the following discussion. The following wetland areas are described according to their associated Town from east to west when looking at Map 5, Natural Features Map.
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The first wetland area is located just south of the railroad tracks close to the intersection of Mohawk Drive and Route 5. It is 30.4 acres large and spans the area between the railroad tracks and the Mohawk River. Another wetland in the Town is more centrally located within the WRA, occurring just north of the railroad tracks while also abutting the intersection of Switzer Hill and Route 5. Although sizable at 17.0 acres, this wetland is not quite as large as the previously described area. And finally, the largest wetland in the Town and within the WRA is 51.9 acres in size and runs along the railroad corridor. It begins slightly east of the intersection of Martin Rd. and Route 5 and continues outside the WRA. The wetland area abutting this intersection bulges outside the narrow railroad corridor strip that characterizes the remainder of this wetland area, and reaches south to the Mohawk River shoreline.38
Town of Glen
Three large wetlands are located in the Town of Glen within the designated WRA, two of which are on privately owned property, and one of which is on public property. All are classified as type II wetlands. The first wetland is bordered by the New York State Thruway to the north and the Canalway Trail to the south. It is laid out as a narrow strip, a common characteristic of wetlands, with a small eastern portion of the wetland area falling within the Village of Fultonville‟s boundaries. This wetland totals 36.1 acres in size. The second wetland area is located on either side of the Canalway Trail near the intersection of Borden Rd. and Route 5S. In total, this wetland area is 40.6 acres in size. The third wetland is 32.2 acres in size and is located just west of the Village of Fultonville, lying between the Mohawk River and the New York State Thruway.
Rare & Endangered Species and Habitats
According to NYSDEC, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, Natural Heritage Program, the WRA provides habitat for a number of rare and endangered plants and animals, and houses several rare ecological communities. An Endangered Species is any native species in imminent danger of extirpation or extinction in New York, or any species listed as endangered by the U.S. Department of the Interior. A Threatened
38 New York State DEC Freshwater Wetlands CUGIR: Cornell University Geospatial Information Repository. http://cugir.mannlib.cornell.edu/. Accessed July 11, 2007.
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Species is any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future in New York, or is listed as threatened by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The endangered and threatened species and significant habitats are recorded by NYSDEC and grouped into several categories, Communities, Amphibians, Reptiles, Vascular Plants and Mammals. The specific location of where a species has been documented is considered confidential. Table 13 summarizes the NYS Heritage Program database findings.
Table 13: Rare Species and Ecological Communities Classification Scientific Name Common Name NYS Legal Status NYS Rank Species Reptile Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake Threatened S3-Vulnerable Mammal Myotis leibii Eastern Small-footed Myotis Special Concern S2-Imperiled Mammal n/a Bat Colony Unlisted Rank not assigned Ecological Communities n/a n/a Calcareous cliff community Unlisted S3 n/a n/a Calcareous talus slope woodland Unlisted S3 Source: NYS DEC Letter of Correspondence, June 2007.
The Mohawk River, Schoharie Creek and other creeks within the Towns and Villages are important habitats for fish, birds, and mammals that rely on river ecosystems, including a variety of migratory species. Wetlands and woodlands support complex animal communities that are intrinsically important and may not be tolerant of nearby development. Unique habitats should also be preserved for scientific and educational reasons. Deer, wild turkey, blue heron and northern harrier are some of the common animal populations that inhabit the WRA.
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H. Community Outreach Process
Highlights
Due to the size and unique make up of the Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary, a new approach to citizen engagement called Concept Mapping (CM), was utilized to confirm existing information and move forward in prioritizing actions and projects.
One of the tremendous benefits of the CM process is that it is a structured process that can be conducted at different times and places with different people – and yet every participant is still focusing on the same issues.
Respondents ranked Main Street, Environment, and Boating as the top three categories of importance and feasibility during the Concept Mapping Exercise.
Breaking the respondents into two groups, citizens and elected officials, revealed different priorities. Citizens ranked Main Street, Environment, Amenities, Trails and Boating, as the top five categories of importance, while elected officials chose Main Street, Boating, Trails, Environment and Amenities as the as the top five categories of importance. See Figure 9.
The results of the CM process helped determine the goals and specific recommendations for projects. The CM results will also be incorporated into the Implementation Plan to determine priorities of each strategy or action statement.
Concept Mapping Overview
The foundation of a good Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan is the incorporation of public input early and often throughout the Plan‟s development. In order to develop an action plan built on a foundation of common goals, receiving feedback from the four involved community‟s elected and appointed leaders, business owners, and residents is imperative.
The community outreach process included a significant effort by the County, Towns and Villages to introduce the community to the planning process and inspire them to get involved. For any planning effort to be successful, it is integral that community residents, property owners, and business owners “buy in” to the plan. The need for this is two-fold: (1) it engages the community in the planning process; and (2) it ensures the consultant
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 90 II. Inventory and Analysis team will have a clear understanding of the issues that are important to residents and stakeholders.
Due to the size and unique make up of the Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary, a new approach to citizen engagement called Concept Mapping (CM), was utilized to confirm existing information and move forward in prioritizing actions and projects. Concept Mapping (CM) is an effective “tool” that reflects the true goals and priorities of the community residents within the Waterfront Area Boundary. It combines an inclusive, confidential and participatory process with detailed quantitative data and graph analyses in order to achieve consensus among the participants and to easily set project priorities.
The CM approach helps community leaders and their consultants better understand the public‟s issues, as well as develop an overall community vision for the future. During a series of CM workshops, participants were given the opportunity to provide input on a wide range of community issues.
One of the tremendous benefits of the CM process is that it is a structured process that can be conducted at different times and places with different people – and yet every participant is still focusing on the same issues. The CM process allowed people who were unable to attend the public workshops to be actively engaged in the planning process in a meaningful way.
Methodology
Step 1 The beginning steps in the Concept Mapping process were undertaken by the Advisory Committee. After being given an overview of the CM process, members were involved in determining which types of public participation (public workshops, smaller focus groups, direct delivery) would be most effective and possible locations, logistics, and advertising of the process.
The next step was for the Committee to finalize the “prompt” question, which would be used for brainstorming ideas for potential projects as well as “drive” the entire CM process. The following “prompt” question was developed to help capture a wide range of ideas and actions to address community needs:
“In order to enhance usage along the Mohawk River waterfront and to revitalize the core of our communities, a specific activity or action you feel is needed or should be done is….”
The Advisory Committee was asked to generate a list of responses to the “prompt” question and to reach out to other community members for their ideas as well. Included in
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 91 II. Inventory and Analysis this outreach process were a number of high school students who provided a decidedly different perspective on issues and needs. One of the benefits of the CM process is that all of the ideas utilized in the process come from the local community itself and are expressed in the language of local citizens. This helps to directly capture pertinent, local concerns or ideas.
One hundred and thirty-five (135) responses to the Prompt question were submitted. The responses were synthesized into a smaller list of 85 statements, as many of the responses were duplicates and others were combined into a more comprehensive and inclusive statements. Material packets were produced for use in public meetings and direct distribution using the final list of 85 statements.
Step 2 Two public workshops were held, one in the Town of Glen on July 12th and the second in the Town of Mohawk on August 15th. Additional outreach efforts included direct distribution to Town and Village staff, elected officials, and “main street” business – owners in both villages. Additional citizen participation was solicited at a booth at the Fonda Fair.
In this step of the process, participants are asked to “sort” and “rate” the 85 statements into “piles” of similar ideas in a way that is meaningful to them to express how the ideas fit together. Participants then “rate” the statements (on a scale of 1/low to 5/high) as to how important an idea is to them, and how feasible they feel that idea is to implement.
In addition, participants were asked to anonymously answer three demographic questions used later in the analysis: 1) their age, 2) which municipality they resided in, and 3) their primary affiliation or role within their community. Examples of all process worksheets illustrating the CM steps are included in Appendix B, Reports P1, P2, and P3.
A total of 37 individuals participated in the CM process. Their responses were entered into the CM software and database from which the various maps, reports, and analyses are generated.
The Advisory Committee was shown a preliminary presentation of the results which allowed for interpretation of the findings and fine-tuning of the maps and analyses. The results of the CM process helped determine the goals and specific recommendations for projects. The CM results will also be incorporated into the Implementation Plan to determine priorities of each strategy or action statement. See Reports 1 - 8 included in Appendix C.
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Results
As mentioned previously, participants were asked to answer three demographic questions to identify their age, place of residence, and primary affiliation within their communities. The demographic criteria are used illustrate the number and types of participants as well as used to construct the comparative analysis. The results of each demographic question are explained more fully below.
Age
All 37 respondents answered the question on age. As depicted in Figure 6, the two largest age cohorts were between 36 and 49 years of age and between 50 and 65 years of age. These two age groups are generally the most active in local political issues and generally represent the largest age groups owning homes, businesses, and having children in a community.
Residency
The CM process is unique because it allows for participants outside of the involved local communities to be represented. This is especially useful when determining the needs or desires of visitors or tourists to a community.
As shown in Figure 7, the CM process involved a broad and fairly balanced representation from all groups. The Town of Mohawk and Village of Fonda were best represented followed by Village of Fultonville. Participants, who placed themselves in the two categories of Montgomery County (other than above) and Other, most likely represent individuals who conducted the rating process while attending the Fonda Fair.
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Figure 6: Age Distribution of Concept Mapping Participants
Questions Variable Frequency % Age 18 - 35 4 10.81% 36 - 49 13 35.14% 50 - 65 15 40.54% 65 - above 5 13.51% 16 37 100% 14 65 - above 18 - 35 12 10 8 6 4 36 - 49 2 0 50 - 65 18 - 35 36 - 49 50 - 65 65 - above
Source: Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Process, 2007. See Appendix C
Figure 7: Residency of Concept Mapping Participants
Frequency % Residency Montgomery Co. (other than above) 4 10.81% Other 5 13.51% Town of Glen 3 8.11% Town of Mohawk 10 27.03% Village of Fonda 9 24.32% Village of Fultonville 6 16.22% 10 37 100% 8 6 4 2 0 Montgomery Other Town of Town of Village of Village of Co. Glen Mohawk Fonda Fultonville (other than above)
Source: Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Process, 2007. See Appendix C
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Community Affiliation
The purpose of this category is to allow the Concept Mapping process to closely identify the views of specific stakeholders and how they rate suggested ideas without individually identifying themselves. The CM software allows a comparative analysis between respondent groups. As shown in Figure 8, the largest group was Village or Town Citizens (15 respondents – 40.54%), followed by County or State Employees (7 respondents – 18.92%) and Local Business Owners (5 respondents – 13.51%).
Figure 8: Affiliation of Concept Mapping Participants
Frequency % Community Affiliation County or State employee 7 18.92% Did Not Respond 1 2.70% Local Business owner 5 13.51% other 3 8.11% Village or Town citizen 15 40.54% Village or Town elected official 4 10.81% Village or Town employee 2 5.41% 16 37 100% 14 12 Village orVillage or County or 10 Town Town State 8 6 elected employee employee 4 official Did Not 2 Respond 0 County Did Not Local other Village Village Village Local or State Respond Business or or or Business employee owner Town Town Town Village or owner citizen elected employee Town official citizen other
Source: Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Process, 2007. See Appendix C
Clusters, Labels, and Ratings
Upon completion of the data entry and analysis, the CM software allows the ability to generate a wide variety of “maps” and reports. Each of the 85 statements is given an average rating in both Importance and Feasibility. As one could expect, some ideas are believed to be very important and very feasible, while others are not important and not feasible, and some are somewhere in-between. Report #1 in Appendix C shows the entire list of 85 statements by identification number. Reports #2 and #3 show the statements by Importance Rating Descending and Feasibility Rating Descending.
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The CM process and software analyzes the strength of the relationship between statements based on how often the participants grouped them into the same “pile” during the sorting process. A numerical value is given to this relationship strength and the statements are then “clustered” together by this value. This initial placement of statements and their relationship is known as a “point map” which can be seen in the Project Results presentation contained in Appendix C.
The next step is grouping the statements into a manageable number of clusters for closer analysis. It was determined that grouping the 85 statements into 10 clusters was the optimal “solution” for efficiently and effectively viewing and utilizing the rating and sorting of the statements. The CM analysis averages the ratings for each statement and then “averages the averages” of all statements within a cluster and arrives at an average rating for the clusters themselves. This provides for the ability to represent a broader valuation of ideas by the participants. The cluster names and average ratings are shown in Table 14 below:
Table 14: Average Cluster Importance & Feasibility Rating Cluster Label Importance Rating Feasibility Rating Main Street 3.81 3.52 Environment 3.69 3.49 Boating 3.64 3.54 Trails 3.61 3.36 Amenities 3.56 3.45 Commercial/Business Issues 3.25 3.21 Parks 3.13 2.95 Recreational Activities 2.67 2.82 Community Improvements 2.64 2.74 Attractions 1.83 1.81 Source: Mid-Montgomery Co. LWRP CM Process, 2007. See Appendix C
It is important to note that since each statement/idea can be rated differently in terms of Importance and Feasibility, these differences show up in the average of the clusters as well. This is why a particular cluster (such as Main Street) can be rated the overall highest in Importance, but it is not the highest in Feasibility. The interpretation of the difference is easily explained. The statements located within the Main Street cluster were considered very important to the participants, but they did not feel that those same ideas could be easily implemented. Participants felt that the topics in the “boating” cluster were more Feasible. This concept is further described in the section detailing the Go-Zones.
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The best use of Cluster ratings is to view them in the larger context of the issues. That is, when creating specific actions for the plan, consider those actions as they relate to the Clusters and prioritize most actions according to the higher rated clusters.
Ladder graphs / comparative analysis
Ladder graphs (also known as a comparative analysis) allow the comparison of cluster ratings between two combinations of the identified demographic criteria. At the top of each axis is the description of the demographic criteria used. For purposes of this example, we will look at the ladder graph represented in Figure 9 below, which compares Citizen ratings to Elected Official ratings.
Figure 9: Ladder Graph Comparative Analysis of Citizens vs. Elected Officials
Source: Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Process, 2007. See Appendix C
When looking at Figure 9, the ladder graph, each cluster is named and identified with a corresponding color. Looking at each axis, the higher rated clusters start at the top and work down. The rule of thumb is that the more horizontal the line between the axes are,
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 97 II. Inventory and Analysis the more similar the rating is, therefore, the more similar each of the two groups rated items within the cluster. The more vertical the line, the greater the difference between the two clusters. The value in using this type of analysis is the ability to identify disconnects before moving forward on a project. By identifying the differences between two groups, communication and discussion can take place to better understand the reasons behind the differing viewpoints, and to hopefully reach consensus on the issues.
In the ladder graph above, Main Street is the highest rated cluster for both groups, although the Elected Officials rated it slightly higher than the Citizens. The same is true for the Boating cluster. For most of the remaining clusters, the two groups rated clusters very similarly until Recreational Activities and Community Improvements. Those two clusters show the least similar ratings. Both groups rated Attractions the lowest and almost at the same rating value.
For interpretation purposes, the usefulness of this ladder graph would be to assist in understanding the differences between the two groups and using it to commence a dialog to understand why they rated statements (and therefore clusters) the way they did. Obviously, the Citizens felt that Recreational Activities are more important than did the Elected Officials. Citizens may ask why specific projects are not being planned when they valued them so highly. Elected Officials may need to explain why items in Community Improvements are being implemented even though Citizens didn‟t value them as highly. The following additional ladder graphs were produced and can be viewed in Appendix C.
Clusters Importance vs. Clusters Feasibility
Residents of Fonda vs. Residents of Fultonville
Residents of Town of Glen vs. Residents of Town of Mohawk
Citizens vs. Elected Officials
Citizens vs. Business Owners
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Go-Zones
The Go-Zones are the most important series of “charts” generated in the Concept Mapping process. A go-zone is the actual visual portrayal of an individual cluster, the statements within each cluster, and the average ratings of those statements. As depicted in Figure 10 below, the green upper right quadrant of the chart is considered the Go-Zone. For explanation purposes, the Boating Cluster and Go-Zone will be used.
Figure 10: Example of Cluster Importance and Feasibility Go Zone
Source: Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Process, 2007. See Appendix C
Creating a graph of the Importance Rating on the horizontal (X-axis) and the Feasibility Rating on the vertical (Y-axis) allows each statement to be plotted by grid coordinates in a 4 square matrix. The average rating of the cluster provides the internal centerlines of the graphs. Items which land in the green upper right quadrant (green for “go-zone”) are considered to be both above average in Importance and above average in Feasibility. Statements such as #7, #17, #85, #44, etc. are located in this zone. These items tend to have the greatest support and considered most important by the participants. While not always the case, items in the green quadrant are generally short or medium term priorities.
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Items in the salmon upper left quadrant (such as statements #34 and #6) are above average in Feasibility but below average in Importance. These are items that may be quickly or easily completed in short time horizon with a minimum amount of effort or resources. These are generally considered “low hanging fruit” or quick successes.
Any item located in the yellow lower right quadrant is rated above average in Importance but below average in Feasibility. (statements such as #21 and #53) These tend to be ideas or projects that could have significant impact on a community but which will probably require greater effort, resources, or additional time and research. These tend to be medium to longer-term projects.
The items located in the gray lower left quadrant (statements such as #13, #22, #72, etc.) are rated both below average for both Importance and Feasibility. These items do not garner a great deal of support from the community regardless of the project. One can speculate that these ideas are either not supported or are just not generally understood by the participants. These items may be considered longer term and lower priority.
As noted earlier, the results of the CM process helped to determine the goals and specific recommendations for projects that are recommended for the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, to a certain extent, the results of the CM process were utilized to establish the order of importance or “time frames” within the implementation matrix; however, it is likely that priorities may change with the availability of funding sources for particular projects.
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Section III. Plan Recommendations and Proposed Projects
Introduction
The key to a successful planning process is the merging of the existing conditions and the public input into a clear list of projects that can be implemented and bring the ideas and recommendations of the plan into reality. The projects contained in this section will become the visible, embodiment of the plan and will generate places for the public to enjoy and access the Mohawk River waterfront. The projects will also generate new economic revitalization to the Villages that is greatly needed.
The recommendations and projects developed for the Mid-Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan were all developed as a result of working with the Waterfront Revitalization Advisory Committee and the public input that was gathered through the series of Concept Mapping (CM) exercises and workshops. The CM process combines an inclusive, confidential and participatory process with detailed quantitative data and graph analyses in order to achieve consensus among the participants and to set project priorities. Many of the projects listed below are based on the Concept Mapping strategies, which are indicated with parenthesis. The incorporation of public input throughout the Plan‟s development helped to develop this plan of action that is built on a foundation of common goals of the four involved community‟s elected and appointed leaders, business owners, and residents.
This section begins by listing the overall Goals for the Waterfront Revitalization Area, followed by the Water and Land Use Projects. The first group of projects are Organizational projects, which are critical to establishing the multi-jurisdictional agreements that will help in coordinating grant proposals, funding, maintenance issues and collective force. Waterfront and Land Access Projects are listed with enough details to help guide the implementation of the specific projects, followed by a list of Other Projects that should be considered by the municipal partners as priority projects are completed. Finally, this section includes goals, and recommended projects and strategies for Downtown Revitalization and Access, strategies which are crucial to the future economic climate and well being and of the waterfront communities.
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A. Water and Land Use Goals and Projects
Goal 1: Develop and enhance public access to Mohawk River/Erie Canal to maximize the potential for a variety of types of water-dependent recreational activities, e.g., boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
Goal 2: Enhance waterfront open space areas that serve as important passive recreational resources within the towns and villages that serve as community gathering areas for local residents and attractions to tourists, e.g., waterfront pocket parks, nature trails, and picnic areas.
Goal 3 Foster a viable regional tourism economy and position the communities within the Waterfront Revitalization Area to benefit from increased tourism.
Goal 4: Inventory historic canal and river related resources and sites and implement an interpretive signage program for these unique waterfront resources.
Goal 5: Capitalize on the existing regional trails that run through the Waterfront Revitalization Area. Develop and maintain a safe and contiguous system of multi- purpose land and water trails for all seasons and improve trail linkages between existing trails, downtown business districts and the waterfront. Such trails will result in increased pedestrian access, bicycle traffic, and business patronage.
Organizational and Planning Projects
The following projects are very important as they create the needed decision making tools that can select and implement the actual built projects. (Note: Many of the following projects are based on the Concept Mapping strategies, which are shown in parenthesis)
Project 1 - The four municipal governments involved in the LWRP should consider entering into a multi-jurisdictional agreement to jointly cooperate in applying for and supplying local matching funds for grant applications as well as establishing maintenance agreements for all projects implemented within the LWRP area.
Project 2 - An LWRP Implementation Committee should be established that would meet on a regular basis for the purpose of implementing the LWRP. Each community will delegate one member who will report back to the Mayor and Supervisors on issues of importance to both the individual municipality and the Local Waterfront Cooperative. The Committee should submit an annual report to the local municipal boards and County Board of Supervisors with recommendations on future grant applications and an evaluation of the annual progress made by the group.
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Project 3 - The four municipal governments involved in the LWRP should consider adopting an LWRP overlay district with accompanying regulations that defines the boundaries, establishes conditions and criteria for implementing the LWRP and reviewing other significant development proposals within the overlay boundaries.
Project 4 - Conduct a land use study on the feasibility of redeveloping Park Street in Fonda to encourage commercial development that compliments new waterfront uses but does not compete with Main Street business. This study should be done in cooperation with the Montgomery County Government and the Town of Mohawk. (CM 59)
Waterfront and Land Access Projects
Project 1 - Create a new public waterfront park at the Canal Maintenance Facility in Fonda. Preliminary discussions with the Canal Corporation have taken place and indicate a willingness to work with the Waterfront Cooperative on a redevelopment plan for the Canal Maintenance Facility. This project is illustrated on the Conceptual Improvements map for the Village of Fonda and includes the following phases:
Phase 1
a) Acquire a Use and Occupancy Permit from the Canal Corporation which would allow the initial work to begin. b) Relocate the security fence surrounding the Maintenance Facility to allow public access to portions of the waterfront property. By setting the fence and gate back from Route 30A, public access to the existing boat launch on the eastern portion of the property would be dramatically improved. (CM 85) c) Plant new landscaping and trees to provide shade throughout the property and screening for the maintenance facility. d) Utilize temporary barriers and signage to keep the mooring wall free of private boats and to keep pedestrians out of harms way when Canal Corporation needs to use the mooring wall is necessary. (CM 43) e) Enhance the existing boat mooring area with new interpretive signage describing the history of the canal and the current canal maintenance facility operations. Utilize the large barge crane (steel girders) for a unique display of flags and/or banners. (CM 40 and CM 17) f) Cooperate with the Canal Corporation to make necessary improvements to the Canal Maintenance Facility for the safe docking of tour boats and other large vessels such as the historic canal vessel “Day Peckenpaw” and the schooner “Lois McClure”. A facility with the potential to host these types of vessels is in demand as canal borne tourism increases. (CM 78) g) Improve the boat launch for canoes and kayaks (car-top boats). (CM 7)
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h) Provide infrastructure for canoe and kayak users such as wooden racks near the water to store kayaks when they are not being used. (CM 7) i) Provide site amenities such as grills and picnic tables. (CM 30 and 75)
Phase 2
a) Create new parking areas along Route 30A that will accommodate vehicles and boat trailers. (CM 56) b) Create pedestrian pathways between the parking areas, the boat launch and other proposed recreation areas. c) Improve the existing boat launch to accommodate larger boat trailers. (CM 85 and 57) d) Install removable floating boat docks near the boat launch. e) Improve the access driveway to facilitate the launching of boats. f) Construct an entertainment pavilion and/or band shell and public picnic area. Provide a kiosk for posting information about events and depicting the history of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal. (CM 12 and 75)
Phase 3
a) Develop a trail for hiking and cross-country skiing that utilizes the wooded western portion of the property and connects with the proposed FJ& G Rail Trail. b) Develop the western wooded area of the property as a formal community park. The area around the confluence of the Cayadutta Creek and the Mohawk River is a beautiful wooded area. It is currently being used (informally) as a fishing area. Vehicular access to this park could be made through property owned by the Town of Mohawk that is currently being used by their Public Works Department. This area could potentially be developed in the future as a public waterfront park, campground, and fishing area. (CM 81)
Project 2 - Complete a regional trail system by doing the following:
a) Connect the Canalway Trail through the Village of Fultonville into the Village of Fonda and the F J & G (Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville Railroad) abandoned rail trail.
b) Apply for a Transportation Enhancement Grant to develop a multi-use trail on the F J & G abandoned railroad bed to link into Fulton County. The trail should be a multi-purpose trail for hikers, bikers, cross country skiers and snowmobilers. Continue to use it for multiple purposes including various seasonal uses. This is a very crucial component of the project that could link trails in Fulton County with
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the increasingly popular Erie Canalway Trail on the southern side of the Mohawk River. (CM54)
Project 3 - Develop the existing waterfront property in the Village of Fultonville east of Route 30A with river access and an improved gateway to the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville. This project is illustrated on the Conceptual Improvements map for the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville and includes the following actions:
a) Develop a small riverfront pocket park with amenities such as an observation deck for waterfront viewing, benches and picnic tables. (CM 35 and 75)
b) Clean up the riverbank of invasive plant species and replace with appropriate plantings to stabilize the riverbank.
c) Work with the owners of Dunkin‟ Donuts to replace the dilapidated stairway at the rear of the restaurant‟s property.
d) Provide a flexible movable ramp (gangway) that will be able to adjust to the varying height of the river that will lead to a floating dock.
e) Develop a small parking area or work with the owners of Dunkin‟ Donuts to share some parking spaces for park users.
f) Provide landscaping and a masonry wall to screen the existing small sewer treatment plant pump house.
g) Provide a newly designed interpretive and information kiosk depicting the history of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal; posting information about local events and to inform park users of what businesses are in the area, and what attractions are nearby e.g., restaurants, and historic sites of special importance to visitors.
h) Enhance the façade and roofline of the sewer treatment plant pump house building. Add an overhang for shaded benches. (CM 35)
i) Create a pedestrian walkway linking the proposed riverfront park near Dunkin Donuts with the sidewalk system in the Village of Fultonville and Village of Fonda. (CM 55)
j) Construct an observation deck/fishing pier with pedestrian access to Bridge Street (Fonda) and Main Street (Fultonville). Locate it on the Mohawk River at the corner of Riverside Drive and the Route 30A bridge. Project 3 is illustrated on the Conceptual Improvements map for the Town of Glen and Village of Fultonville. (CM 40)
Project 4 - Evaluate potential sites for a marina with a pump-out facility to service the area. The nearest marina and pump out facility is located in St Johnsville. The EFC Clean Vessel Program, New York State's Clean Vessel Assistance Program (CVAP), was
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 106 III. Plan Recommendations and Proposed Projects established to protect and improve water quality in New York's navigable waterways. The CVAP provides federally funded grants of up to 75% of eligible project costs with a current maximum of $35,000 per project. The grants are to assist municipalities and not- for-profit organizations install pump-out and dump station facilities to receive sewage from recreational marine vessels. (CM 61)
Project 5 - Develop a Way-finding System for the LWRP project area through the following:
a) Cooperate with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the Parks & Trails NY, the Canalway Trails Association New York (CTANY), the NYS Canal Corporation and the Department of State Division of Coastal Resources to develop an Interpretive Waterfront Signage Program for kiosks at proposed park sites that are coordinated with other signage throughout the Waterfront Revitalization Area and Montgomery County river front communities as a whole. The program should include interpretive, way finding and waterfront gateway signage to link users of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal and the Canalway Trail to the services and amenities available on Main Street in Fonda and Fultonville. The signage program should ensure that boaters are aware of the communities they are passing through. The locations of public docking and launching areas, the distance/mileage between important points of interest, in addition to the businesses, services and attractions that are available on shore in the nearby Main Street areas. (CM 15 and 74)
b) Establish a “Blueway trail” connecting the attractions in the study area communities to the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Visitors Center, which is roughly 2.5 miles east of the study area boundary. The development of the blueway trail should include interpretive signage at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site that encourages boaters to travel west on the Mohawk River and stop off at various points of interest along the way. Stopping points should be mapped and identifiable from the waterway.
c) Create an informative trail guide that provides users with information on historical elements and interesting sites within all of the Waterfront Revitalization Area communities. (CM 15 and 74)
d) Seek out eligible grant funding opportunities to fund this project.
Project 6 - Work with the Fairground Board to develop a coordinated plan to make improvements to the Fonda Fair Grounds. This could be done through the following actions:
a) Improve and relocate the existing fence surrounding the Fonda Speedway and Fonda Fairgrounds. This will not only improve the aesthetics and security of the
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fairgrounds and sewer treatment plant, but could also allow public access to the riverfront. (CM 27)
b) Provide water-based access to the Fonda Fairgrounds by adding a removable floating dock, seasonal ticketing booth and signage. The addition of a new ticketing booth on the waterfront could control access to the fairgrounds during events that require admission. The Fonda Speedway could advertise the option of boat access to the speedway on its website. (CM 52)
c) Create a more formal public RV parking/camping area along the Fairgrounds waterfront property. (CM 52)
d) Develop a car-top boat launch at the western corner of the Fonda Fairground property near the Route 30A bridge. (CM 7)
e) Consider future relocation of the Fonda Speedway farther away from Route 30A and the waterfront to decrease noise and dust, and allow for increased use of available waterfront property for water dependent uses and expanded recreational uses. (CM 51)
f) Provide a pedestrian crosswalk over Route 30A between the Fonda Fairgrounds and the proposed Park Street parking area to improve pedestrian safety during fair season and other large events. (CM 79)
g) Utilize the Fonda Fairgrounds for holiday and community attractions such as Fourth of July celebrations, Fall Apple and Craft Festivals, Halloween events, and Christmas Light displays. (CM 70)
h) Take advantage of the Fonda Fairgrounds in the winter months for not-for- profit fundraising, winter carnivals, and events. Possible uses include ice- sculpting contests, snowshoe and cross-country skiing races, snowmobile races, ice-skating, and food related attractions such as chili and soup cook-offs, and pancake breakfasts. (CM 84)
Other Public Waterfront Access Projects
The following public waterfront access projects should be considered for future implementation by the LWRP partnership.
Project 1 - Improve the existing Fireman‟s Park parking area (owned by the Village of Fonda) with landscaping and construct a new building for public restrooms and concessions. Boaters, fair goers, and residents who use the parks and fields nearby could use this facility year-round. (CM 67 and 82)
Project 2 - Work with the NYS Canal Corporation to develop access to a marina through the State-owned waterfront property located at the end of Broad Street in the
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Village. Only a few blocks from Main Street, the marina could provide secure docking for transient boaters who wish to stop in the village, walk to stores for supplies and stay overnight at area hotels. (CM26)
Project 3 - Work with the NYS Canal Corporation to establish a small canoe/kayak launch site with a parking area for users on the State-owned waterfront property located at the end of Broad Street in the Village. A special hand launch could be developed; i.e. a deck or short pier. (CM 7)
Project 4 - Work with the owners of the former Poplars‟ Hotel to provide a marina and improve the existing boat launch with a concrete ramp that affords float-off and float-on launching for most trailered boats. In the past, the Poplars‟ Hotel was a popular place for boaters and locals to enjoy dining at a riverfront restaurant. It is also one of the few motels in the region and is a convenient location for tourists to stay during events, etc. (CM 44) Develop a pump-out facility and re-establish a fueling facility for boaters. (CM 21 and 61) The nearest marina and pump out facility is located in St Johnsville. Provide public floating docks and designate a public area for boat trailer parking. Improve the parking area with new landscaping, curbing and screening. Improve the parking area entrance with more attractive signage and define the access with curbing and landscaping to discourage tractor-trailers from parking on the street and blocking the entrance to the hotel.
B. Recommended Projects and Strategies for Downtown Access and Revitalization
Revitalizing the Village Downtowns and improving access into and out of them is the second of the primary goals of this Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. While the section on Waterfront Access and Land Use Projects is project oriented, the recommendations needed to revitalize the Village Downtowns and improve access are based more on a mixture of strategies designed to achieve six goals. The following goals and strategies for Downtown Access and Revitalization will require an ongoing, coordinated effort by the municipal governments, the business community and citizens in general to reach success. It is suggested that working committees be established whose mission will be to implement this important work. The LWRP Implementation Committee (the 4 municipal partners) should create a Downtown Revitalization Sub- committee who would evaluate the strategies recommended to implement the six Downtown Revitalization and Access goals. The Downtown Revitalization Committee would meet on a regular basis to develop an implementation strategy and report back to
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 109 III. Plan Recommendations and Proposed Projects the LWRP Implementation Committee. This process is discussed further in the Implementation section.
Downtown Access and Revitalization Goals
Goal 1: Encourage the formation of public-private partnerships and projects that will lead to an increase in tourism and the revitalization of the Downtown areas for businesses and its residents.
Goal 2: Encourage and facilitate the Village Main Streets to become a mixed residential and commercial district that provides and promotes a variety of necessary goods, services, entertainment venues, attractions and events for local and regional patrons.
Goal 3: Strengthen and diversify the economic base of the Waterfront Revitalization Area.
Goal 4: Encourage the preservation and enhance the charm of these historic canal communities and their unique sense of place through a combination of voluntary and regulatory means.
Goal 5: Improve access from the villages’ historic Main Streets areas to the waterfront.
Goal 6: Encourage the development of a safe, efficient and un-congested transportation network that encompasses modes of transportation other than the automobile to satisfy existing and future needs of the communities within the Waterfront Revitalization Area. Strategies to meet Goal 1:
Downtown Access and Revitalization Strategies
Goal 1: Encourage the formation of public-private partnerships and projects that will lead to an increase in tourism and the revitalization of the Downtown areas for businesses and its residents. Goal 1 Strategies
1. Assist the existing waterfront hotels and restaurants on Riverside Drive to improve their facilities to serve river and heritage tourism users. With their riverfront location, existing hotels have the potential to cater to more up market clients, including boaters and other tourists passing through the region. (CM 71)
2. Encourage the establishment of an outfitter on Main Street for rental of canoes and kayaks and fishing equipment.
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3. Establish a Visitor‟s Center near the Canalway Trail that offers bike and rollerblade rentals, as well as concessions for bikers traveling through the Town and Village. Potential locations for a new Visitor‟s Center include: the vacant building located on the corner of the Canalway Trail and Main Street, the old depot on Erie Street in Fultonville or the corner of Park Street and Route 30A in Fonda. The Visitor‟s Center could serve many purposes; it could be a place to disseminate information about local events, to display historical and cultural items, and to provide a small café and resting/picnic area for bike trail users and other visitors. Bike and roller blade rentals could also be made available during the summer months.
4. All involved local governments should cooperate with regional governments on mutual goals, coordinated efforts for waterfront improvements and economic development, and follow-through on implementation strategies. Cooperate with other adjacent towns, villages and Montgomery County to promote revitalization in the greater region. Continue to bring leaders together to discuss mutual concerns and goals.
5. Work with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and/or the proposed local business association to develop marketing materials. Create promotional materials such as a business directory and/or brochures that offer information about local services and products. The marketing materials can be distributed at visitor‟s centers and information kiosks placed in strategic locations. (CM 32, 59)
6. Enhance local websites to promote local businesses and tourism, as well as provide information on special events, seasonal activities and programs.
7. Foster relationships with the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District and area colleges to supplement local organizations and volunteers. High school and college students can be instrumental in offsetting the costs of many marketing efforts identified in this Plan. In return, students gain invaluable experience in their areas of study. For instance, students can assist in website development and maintenance as well as the development of marketing and promotional materials, such as logos, maps, and brochures. (CM 37)
8. Encourage a downtown farmers‟ market location: Residents and tourists enjoy visiting a community that offers sale of local produce and crafts. A farmers market would provide a local venue for local Amish farmers, provide residents with fresh produce, hand-made crafts and contribute to the tourism industry. Local farmers can benefit from involvement in a regional agri-tourism, eco and/or recreational tourism market, as well as expanded farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture Programs (CSAs or Co-ops).
9. Work with the NYS Canal Corporation, the Army Corps of Engineers and other involved agencies to study and solve the flooding issues of Back Alley Creek near the Town of Mohawk Public Works Department. (CM 28)
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Goal 2: Encourage and facilitate the Village Main Streets to become a mixed residential and commercial district that provides and promotes a variety of necessary goods, services, entertainment venues, attractions and events for local and regional patrons. Goal 2 Strategies
1. Keep the media informed of the activities, progress, and successes of the waterfront revitalization efforts. Appoint a public relations person to prepare media releases, provide interviews, and one-on-one contact in order to better keep the public involved and aware of successes.
2. Maximize local investment along the Main Streets for improvements to signage, upstairs housing, building façade, and interior improvements. Focus on making financial assistance available to existing and new businesses to rehabilitate and re- use commercial buildings on Main Street. (CM 60)
3. Assist developers with the creation of new housing opportunities and housing options in mixed-use buildings. (CM 63)
4. Participate in regional events, programs and services that appeal to tourists. A regional tourism industry already exists and it is important that all four local communities participate in every regional event to secure its place in a regional economy.
5. Continue to create and promote a variety of local cultural and recreational events in the LWRP area communities. Examples include: block parties, fall festivals, craft fairs, ice festivals, area-wide garage sales, and holiday parties that can attract tourists throughout the year. (CM 70)
6. The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce should actively participate in the economic revitalization within the LWRP area and should continue to act as the lead in developing and coordinating the scheduling of events and festivals so as to minimize competition between events held on the same day in different communities. (CM 70)
7. Foster relationships with local businesses to assist in sponsoring seasonal activities and events. (CM 70)
8. Provide on-going educational materials, as well as information on training, seminars, and conferences relating to Main Street activities to local businesses, organizations, boards, public officials, and citizens.
9. Develop special events that celebrate the importance of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal to the history of the towns and villages. (CM 70)
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10. Work with Adirondack Sports and Fitness to establish and advertise canoe and kayak paddling trips, bike tours, and triathlons that pass through the study area. Encourage the use of the river for qualifying for the Empire State games. (CM 72)
11. Cooperate with the County Chamber of Commerce, Scouts and other interested groups to sponsor an annual regional “Fishing Tournament” that includes all Montgomery County communities. (CM 34)
Goal 3: Strengthen and diversify the economic base of the Waterfront Revitalization Area. Goal 3 Strategies
1. Consider developing a Local Business Association. This group should spearhead marketing and promotion within the LWRP area. A membership drive will solicit funds from local businesses and will give them the opportunity to promote their product. This also creates an improved business climate. Initially, the organization may pursue sign, sticker, emblem, and a local business directory development.
2. Develop a Business Assistance Revolving Loan Program. It is recommended that the Revolving Loan Fund be designed and directed to new and existing businesses either located on, or considering a Main Street location. In addition, the program should target existing Main Street businesses seeking to strengthen and expand their current business. Examples of the Revolving Loan Fund‟s uses include, but are not limited to: relocation and start up expenses; purchase of equipment or inventory; the engagement of professional technical assistance, leasehold improvements; and working capital. (CM 59)
3. Encourage the creation of Business Improvement Districts (BID) for the businesses on Main Street and Riverside Drive in Fultonville, and on Main Street in Fonda. The purpose of a BID is to improve conditions for business in a specific area, attract and retain businesses, generate jobs and improve the quality of life for those who use the district. A BID enables property and business owners to decide which services to provide to meet the district‟s unique needs. Property owners in a geographically defined area agree to an extra fee (assessment) for improvements that will benefit the entire BID. The BID‟s district management association, which operates the BID, will use the assessment funds to enhance or supplement services provided by the municipality or to provide services that the municipality does not ordinarily provide. General Municipal Law § 980-c directs the funds generated from the BID assessment may only be used for three broad categories:
a) To provide district improvements on or within the BID which will restore or promote business activity;
b) To provide services for the enjoyment and protection of the public and the promotion and enhancement of the BID;
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c) To construct improvements on the properties of businesses located within the BID for the specific purpose of increasing access from public areas to the businesses for persons with disabilities.
4. Apply for grant funding to support a Capital Improvement Grant/Loan Program: Create a small business revolving loan program to assist with business attraction and/or expansion. A Capital Improvement Fund should be designed and directed to property owners and business owners for the purpose of making capital renovations to the external and/or internal components of either vacant or occupied commercial space. This program may be used to assist in defraying the costs associated with capital improvements to: building facades, full building envelopes, interior structural components, and signage. The program should be structured as a grant/loan with some form of requirement for owner equity. The Loan Program should be administered with oversight from a Revolving Loan Fund Committee, comprised of members from the banking and business community. (CM 60)
Goal 4- Encourage the preservation and enhance the charm of these historic canal communities and their unique sense of place through a combination of voluntary and regulatory means. Goal 4 Strategies
1. Appoint a qualified not-for profit entity such as the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission to administer existing grant moneys and apply for additional funding under the NY Main Street grant program through the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). Eligible activities include building renovations, façade and streetscape improvements. (CM 60)
2. Create and maintain a vacant land and building inventory to easily identify potential buildings and sites for adaptive reuse and marketing. The inventory should include the gross floor area of the building or size of the parcel, selling price, contact information, and development constraints (zoning or other). (CM 32, 59)
3. Recruit new businesses to fill up the empty storefronts. With the vacant land and building inventory, the communities can more easily identify potential redevelopment sites. In the short term, service businesses should be recruited that local markets can support, such as a drug store, bakery, florist, convenient stores, childcare, or medical offices. Utilize the Analysis of Consumer Spending Patterns and Supply and Demand provided in this Plan to determine appropriate business types. As the revitalization efforts gain momentum, recruit businesses that need the support of the regional market such as specialty gift shops, antique stores, restaurants, pubs, and bed and breakfast‟s to support the tourism market. (CM 32)
4. Maximize local investment along the Main Streets for improvements to signage, upstairs housing, building façade, and interior improvements. Focus on making
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financial assistance available to existing and new businesses to rehabilitate and re- use commercial buildings on Main Street. (CM 60)
5. Seek funding from federal and state sources to rehabilitate sub-standard housing, facilitate home-ownership and restore historic homes. (CM 63)
6. Consider establishing a system of recognition for homeowners and business owners who preserve and restore historic structures.
7. Develop Historic Walking Tours as a way to educate the public about historic homes, buildings and sites within the Waterfront Revitalization Area. (CM 71)
8. Implement or codify Historic Overlay District regulations to protect local historic structures and sites, as well as provide protection against potential impacts such as physical modifications or demolition of historic structures.
9. Develop a historic resources inventory to help the Community Planning Boards understand the important preservation features when making land use decisions. The inventory should include individual historic structures and sites, historic canal remnants and/or canal related tools and equipment.
10. All the municipalities in the Waterfront Revitalization Area should develop architectural design, building form, signage, landscaping, setbacks, façade renovations and parking area placement to foster new commercial and mixed-use development that retains the small town, historic and natural character of the area. These standards and sketches can serve as a guide toward achieving an acceptable urban pattern through building styles and typologies that reflect the local heritage. The design standards should be applicable to all proposed activities, including signage and franchise/chain businesses. (CM 37, 60)
11. Continue to improve the aesthetic appeal of the business districts. Some property owners have gone to great lengths to improve their properties and offer good examples of quality building improvements, signage and street appeal. Educate business owners on the value of appearance and aesthetics in relation to customer satisfaction. (CM 60)
12. Review the existing local zoning regulations to ensure that it is supportive of the goals of this LWRP, which are intended to revitalize the local waterfront and downtown business districts.
13. Review local Site Plan Review procedures for new commercial and industrial development to ensure that site plans are developed with abundant landscaping, trees, pedestrian amenities and attractive signage. Off-street parking lots should be well defined by signage, landscaped islands and pavement striping. Business owners and developers should be encouraged to design their site plan to include shared parking areas and parking at the rear of the building where feasible. (CM 37, 56)
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14. Strictly enforce existing building codes. Develop, expand, and enforce current codes regarding noise, trash and junk vehicle removal, and other violations of the building code. Establish procedures for enforcement and increase education opportunities for the code enforcement officer. (CM 38)
15. Sponsor annual or seasonal clean up days to remove trash and debris from the Mohawk River banks. For instance, each community could create an Adopt-a- River Program, similar to the Adopt-a-Highway program. (CM 16)
16. The Village of Fonda should develop a Comprehensive Plan followed by a zoning code. The overall effort should involve the Village citizens and address traffic, economic development, historic preservation and design guidelines, walkability, infrastructure, and a land use plan (existing and future).
17. The Village of Fonda should complete a Community Development Strategic Plan following the National Trust‟s National Main Street Center, Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization™. (CM 10 & CM 37). The Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization™ is a comprehensive strategy that can be tailored to different communities and is based on a Four Point Approach™. (See the end of this section for more details on the Main Street Approach).
Goal 5: Improve access for all mobility types into the Villages’ historic Main Street areas and to the Mohawk River waterfront. Goal 5 Strategies
1. Improve and enhance the Erie Canalway Trail within the Village of Fultonville and Town of Glen and areas within the Town and Village, off the Canalway Trail, to capitalize on the location of the trail and the many trail users that pass through these communities. Strategies to enhance the Erie Canalway Trail within the Village of Fultonville and Town of Glen include the following:
a) Establish kiosks to inform Canalway Trail users where they are, what businesses are in the area, and what attractions are nearby. Bathrooms, restaurants, and historic sites are of special importance to cyclists. The kiosk cost could be shared by local businesses or constructed with an in-kind donation. This is vital to selling the trail users the town and village as products. (CM 15)
b) Visually enhance the Canalway Trail access points. Items like planters, attractive safety features like gates and bollards, brick pavers, and flowering bushes and/or trees make the trail and area surrounding that much more inviting for trail users. Features like benches at areas with scenic views, attractive waste bins and picnic tables, sturdy grills, and well maintained lawns entice people to stop and picnic. (CM 10, 35 and 30)
c) Provide primitive campsites along the Canalway Trail for cyclists on long treks
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d) Continue ongoing maintenance of the Canalway Trail. Encourage Boy Scouts, students, and seniors clubs to the trail and access points for scheduled clean-ups. Kids and grandparents trail day (multigenerational events), Scouts pitch in (clean- ups), fitness challenges - all will help connect people to the trail. Remember that good ongoing maintenance will make the area more attractive and give trail users an added sense of security. Adopt-A-Trail programs may also be considered, similar to Adopt-A-Road.
e) Provide fitness courses and post mileage on the Canalway Trail.
2. Provide bike racks at strategic locations. Whether they are unique and artistic or a standard pipe in the ground, racks encourage cyclists and residents to stop.
3. Establish bike/pedestrian friendly connections between trail access points and the town and village.
4. Implement streets policies and infrastructure that make riding and walking around the main street area safer and more enjoyable. This will encourage people to leave the Canalway Trail and continue into town.
5. Encourage businesses to bring business outside when whether permits. Encouraging the use of sidewalk space or open lots by businesses will bring life back out to the streets. Cyclist‟s love eating and relaxing in outdoor cafes where they can see other cyclists pass by and keep an eye on their bikes.
6. Work with DOT to widen the sidewalks on Bridge Street (Route 30A) to improve pedestrian safety. (CM 77 and 79)
7. Construct new sidewalks or maintain and improve existing sidewalks in the Village. Areas to be considered for sidewalk construction or reconstruction should have 1) existing uses, 2) development patterns, and 3) traffic patterns supportive of sidewalks. Concentrate construction of new sidewalks on Village streets, where they currently do not exist, or where safety improvements are needed for children that walk to school. Improve crossing areas for the safety of children walking to school. (CM 20, 77)
Goal 6: Encourage the development of a safe, efficient and un-congested transportation network that encompasses modes of transportation other than the automobile to satisfy existing and future needs of the communities within the Waterfront Revitalization Area. Goal 6 Strategies
1. Implement traffic calming on Fonda‟s and Fultonville‟s Main Streets to assist with businesses attracting customers, and customer‟s ability to park, shop, and walk in the Village‟s downtown. Traffic calming mechanisms could include: high-visibility or textured crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, rumble strips,
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and landscaping enhancements to reduce traffic speeds and improve visual character. (CM 37, 56)
2. Enhance parking throughout the Villages‟ downtowns by various means, such as installing bulb-outs, protecting on street parking bays, prohibiting parking 20 feet from intersections, improve pedestrian circulation by reducing crossing times. (CM 56)
3. In locations with high pedestrian activity, pedestrian-scale lighting should be considered along with other street amenities, such as benches, bike racks, and trash bins. (CM 10)
4. Improve the overall streetscape on Main Street and Riverside Drive in Fultonville, and Main Street in Fonda. Add landscaping, street trees, street furniture and improve curbing and sidewalks. Continue to hang festive banners, flower baskets, holiday decorations and seasonal lighting. Work with local garden clubs to enhance green spaces downtown. (CM 4,10,37)
5. Perform a more in-depth study of the transportation issues of Route 30A and Route 5 in the Village of Fonda. A Corridor Study is also recommended that would provide specific actions needed to improve the overall transportation system. Issues that need further study are traffic congestion due to heavy truck traffic, turning movements, traffic speed, pedestrian safety, access, and parking for businesses located on Main Street. (CM 56 and 77)
6. Improve public parking in the Village of Fonda. Analyze residential and commercial streets, examine off-street parking conditions, and develop a plan for solving the associated parking problems. Potential solutions include establishing municipal parking, delineating existing on-street parking spaces with striping, enforcing parking regulations, and creating designated spaces for renters through a permit system. (CM 56)
7. Study and evaluate potential improvements to Riverside Drive to reduce pedestrian and vehicular conflicts, e.g., access management improvements and improved pedestrian facilities. (CM 23)
8. Consider re-establishing a train station in the Village of Fonda.
9. Partner with Fulton County on a traffic study that seeks a feasible by-pass from the Thruway exit in Fultonville north to the Johnstown Industrial Park to change the routing of trucks through the villages. (CM 59)
Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization
The National Trust‟s National Main Street Center has developed a Community Development Strategic Plan utilizing a “Main Street Approach to Downtown
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Revitalization”. The Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization™ is a comprehensive strategy that can be tailored to different communities and is based on a Four Point Approach™:
1. Organization: Building a consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals that play roles in the community. Many individuals and organizations have a stake in the economic viability of the community, including: bankers, property owners, government officials, merchants, residents, professionals, chamber of commerce representatives, local industries, civic groups, historical societies, schools, consumers, real estate agents and local media.
2. Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the existing local economic base, while diversifying it. Activities include helping existing businesses expand, recruiting new businesses to provide a balanced mix, converting un-used space into productive property and sharpening the competitiveness of local merchants. By strengthening the local economy, the community will be able to support the ongoing use of historic commercial buildings, and preserve unique community assets.
3. Design: Improving the community aesthetic by enhancing the physical appearance of public and private buildings, streetlights, window displays, storefronts, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, public open spaces, promotional materials, and all other elements that convey a visual message about the local business environment and what is has to offer.
4. Promotion: Marketing the community‟s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourists, and others. Effective promotion creates a positive image of the community. Promotion of retail activities, special events and ongoing programs can rekindle community pride.
The Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization also stresses the following 8 principles:
1. Comprehensive: A single project cannot revitalize a business district. For instance, design improvements alone will not stabilize or expand your economy. Effective marketing, organization, and solid economic development strategies are all necessary components of successful downtown revitalization.
2. Incremental: Small projects and simple activities enable those involved to see things happening. Small projects enable those involved to develop the skills and confidence needed to be successful at more complex, larger projects.
3. Identify and Capitalize on Existing Assets: Every community is unique and has special qualities that set it apart from all others. Local leaders should focus on a unique asset like a distinctive building or feature, and turn it into an opportunity.
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4. Implementation Oriented: Frequent visible changes and activities create confidence in the program and encourage greater levels of participation in the revitalization efforts.
5. Quality: From storefront design, to promotional campaigns, to special events, quality must be emphasized in every aspect of the revitalization program.
6. Self-Help: Local leaders must have the desire and will to make the project successful. Grant programs can help fund pieces of the work, planners and consultants can provide guidance, but without community involvement and commitment, the revitalization effort will not be successful.
7. Public-Private Partnerships: Public and private sectors have a vital interest in the economic health and physical viability of downtown. An effective partnership is one that recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of the other partner.
8. Changing Attitudes: Changing community attitudes and habits are essential to bring about downtown revitalization. Public perceptions must be shifted in order to support and sustain the economic revitalization effort.
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 120 Conceptual Improvements Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan
improve access road to park Park S improve construct a small community treet fj&g rail trail building at fireman’s park with restrooms and concessions relocate security create & improve fence public parking areas
potential rv park new security & campground fence
fishing dock
future car-top boat launch temporary barrier for canal maintanence access S. B
ridge future car-top boat launch
S
improve boat launch treet for trailored boats picnic grove and provide floating docks boat mooring & docking re-use old pier to support develop multi-use trail new structure for fishing, develop picnic pavillion docking or mooring and/or band shell
car-top boat launch potential public marina & small parking area
ohawk
M street
ower main
L
Broad
I-90
erie canalway trail
Drawing is not to scale- For illustrative purposes only.
Villages of Fonda and Fultonville Montgomery County, New York J:\27045\Design\FinalPDF\ImprovementsWest Conceptual Improvements Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan
provide landscaping & improve gateway signage to the town of glen/village of fultonville improve boat launch for public enhance facade & roofline of replace dilapidated use and provide flexible, movable small pump house building stairway and provide ramp (gangway) a flexible gangway & develop a cooperative floating dock interpretive waterfront signage program for mohawk, glen, fonda and fultonville. develop a small observation deck & riverfront pocket park with benches and picnic tables future pedestrian walkway riverside streetscape enhancement project. connecting to main street improve sidewalks, brick crosswalks, landscaping, lighting & access management construct an observation deck/ fishing pier with pedestrian develop small parking area access to bridge street (fonda) and main street (fultonville)
improve parking area for boat trailers
Drawing is not to scale- For illustrative purposes only.
Town of Glen & Village of Fultonville Montgomery County, New York J:\27045\Design\FinalPDF\ImprovementsEast
Section IV. Implementation Plan
Implementation Plan
All the inventory, analysis, and projects by themselves mean very little in terms of “making the plan happen”. What is most important in a plan like this is carefully planned strategy that can describe what steps need to be taken, when each step happens and who will make all the projects or phases work together to implement the plan‟s goals. Without an understanding of the plan and a multi-jurisdictional commitment to make it happen, the goals of the plan will never be reached.
The following key strategies for the successful implementation this plan should become the foundation of the LWRP Implementation Strategy.
A strong committed partnership by the local municipal governments, concerned citizens and the business community
A broad based organizational structure that will represent the interests of all partners and provide regular meetings where projects are prioritized and their implementation planned.
Integration of both the Land and Water Use Projects with the Downtown Revitalization and Access Strategies whenever possible. Every project considered for implementation should be reviewed in relation to other proposed projects for shared opportunities that can be tied into one project.
A regular process of reviewing and reporting on projects should be established.
Project Timeline
The timeline for implementing projects is broken down into of Short Term (immediate to one year), Intermediate (one to three years) and Long Term (three to five years). The projects listed within these timeframes are divided into three project types: Organizational, Water and Land Use, and Downtown Revitalization and Access Projects.
The intent of this section is to offer preliminary suggestions for prioritizing and selecting projects. The initial work of the Local Waterfront Implementation Committee should begin with Organizational and Planning tasks and then shift to projects and strategies listed in the Water and Land Use Projects and Downtown Revitalization Strategy sections. The projects and strategies listed in the project timelines is not a comprehensive listing found in the two previous sections but focuses on projects and strategies that were
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 123 IV. Implementation Plan discussed by the Waterfront Advisory Committee and considered to be significant in terms of generating the most “bang for the buck”. As time goes on, all the projects should be reevaluated and new ones considered. Note that project and strategy descriptions become more general and conceptual as the time periods increase from short to mid-term to long term.
Short Term Projects: (Immediate to one year)
The Organizational and Planning Projects should be addressed immediately upon the adoption of the LWRP Plan. Once the Local Waterfront Implementation Committee (LWIC) and the Downtown Revitalization Sub-committee (DRSC) are formed, the two Committees can begin evaluating which Water and Land Use Projects and Economic Revitalization Strategies should be implemented.
Organizational and Planning Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC )
1. Create a Multi-jurisdictional Partnership or Local Waterfront Implementation Committee (LWIC) and execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) whose mission is to implement the plan to the benefit of all the municipalities. The MOA should include:
a) Agreed upon shared goals, actions and responsibilities.
b) The establishment of a regular meeting schedule where LWRP projects are prioritized and selected for implementation.
c) A conceptual financial agreement for shared services, local matches for grant funding and other project related expenses needed for project implementation.
2. Create a Downtown Revitalization Sub-committee (DRSC) with public-private partnerships who will select projects that will lead to an increase in tourism and the revitalization of the Downtown areas for businesses and its residents. This sub- committee should establish strong communication link with the Local Waterfront Implementation Committee and work closely to make sure all projects are reviewed for overlapping issues.
Water and Land Use Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC)
1. Implement Phase 1 of the Canal Corporation Maintenance Facility Park project. An LWRP grant has been awarded for Phase 1 which will lead to the design, cost estimates and construction drawings for the access road, parking, boat launch, entertainment pavilion and various site amenities. Agreements on project specifics need to be executed between the municipal partners with Fonda acting as lead as well
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 124 IV. Implementation Plan
as a separate agreement between the LWRP partners and the Canal Corporation on the disposition of the proposed “waterfront park”. (Waterfront & LU Project 1).
2. Pursue grant funding for the F, J and G rail trail. A Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant was submitted for paving the 3-mile rail trail back in May of 2008. Continue applying for future TE grants if not awarded this round. (Waterfront & LU Project 2)
3. Work with the Village of Fonda to improve the “Fireman‟s Park” parking lot. This project will help the visibility of the new waterfront park proposal as well as help the Village of Fonda generate revenues from parking fees. (Other Public Waterfront Access Projects 1)
Downtown Access and Revitalization Projects (Responsible Party: DRSC)
1. Have the Downtown Revitalization Sub-committee develop a Local Business Association and Business Improvement District. (Downtown Revitalization Strategies Goal 3, Strategies 1 and 3)
2. Work with the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce to develop a marketing strategy for the LWRP area. (Downtown Revitalization Strategies, Goal 1, strategy 5)
3. Develop a working relationship with students of the Fonda Fultonville Central School District in assisting with website development and implementation process. (Downtown Revitalization Strategies Goal 1, strategy 7)
Mid-Term Projects (One to three years)
Organizational and Planning Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC)
1. Encourage the development of a comprehensive plan and zoning for the Village of Fonda. (Downtown Revitalization Strategies, Goal 4, Strategy 16)
2. Consider adopting a Local Waterfront Overlay Zone for the LWRP area. (Downtown Revitalization Strategies, Goal 4, strategy 10)
3. Evaluate the strategies of Downtown Revitalization Goals 5 and 6 for ways to improve mobility into the Villages historic main street and to the Mohawk River waterfront. Transition this effort into the Mid-Term Downtown Access and Revitalization Strategies as an implementation project.
Water and Land Use Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC)
1. Implement Phase 2 of the Canal Maintenance Facility Park. (Waterfront and Land Access Projects, Project 1, Phase 2)
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 125 IV. Implementation Plan
2. Work with the owners of the former Poplars Hotel to re-establish a boat launch and marina. (Other Public Waterfront Access Projects, 4)
3. Develop the waterfront in Fultonville by implementing Project 3 of the Waterfront and Land Access Projects section.
4. Develop a Way-finding system for the LWRP area. Coordinate this effort with the County, State DOT, Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. (Waterfront and Land Access Projects, Project 5)
Downtown Access and Revitalization Strategies (Responsible Party: DRSC)
1. The Downtown Revitalization Sub-committee should develop and promote a variety of goods, services, attractions and events. (Revitalization Goal 2)
2. Downtown Revitalization Sub-committee evaluates ways to encourage mixed-use development and to preserve the historic charm in the Villages. (Revitalization Goals 2 and 4)
3. Utilize the recommendations from Mid-term Organizational and Planning Project # 3 to create a Downtown and Waterfront Mobility Plan for the LWRP area.
Long Term Projects (Three to five years)
Organizational and Planning Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC)
1. It is anticipated that at this stage of the implementation process (3 years after adoption), that an effort should be underway to work with the Fonda Fairgrounds to develop a coordinated lines of communication and an improvement plan for the Fairground that will benefit the fairgrounds, the LWRP partners and the general population. Transition this planning effort into a Water and Land Use Project (Waterfront and Land Projects, Project 6)
2. Consider a small area redevelopment plan of Park Street in Fonda.
Water and Land Use Projects (Responsible Party: LWIC)
1. Implement Phase 3 of the Canal Maintenance Facility Park project.
2. Work with the Fonda Fairgrounds Board to implement Project 6 of the Water and Land Use Projects.
3. Consider developing additional marina and small boat launch facilities. (Water and Land Use Project 4 and Other Projects b, c)
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 126 IV. Implementation Plan
Downtown Access and Revitalization Strategies (Responsible Party: DRSC)
1. Work with Fulton County on a joint transportation study on the Rt. 30A corridor and potential mitigation options to reduce the effects of tractor-trailer traffic. (Revitalization Goal 6, Strategy 5)
2. Continue to work on promoting the historic and natural assets of the villages and Mohawk River
Recommended Partnership Members
Waterfront Implementation Committee
1. Town of Glen, Supervisor
2. Town of Mohawk, Supervisor
3. Village of Fultonville, Mayor
4. Village of Fonda, Mayor
5. Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Planning Staff
Downtown Revitalization Sub-Committee
1. Town of Glen, Designated Representative
2. Town of Mohawk, Designated Representative
3. Village of Fultonville, Designated Representative
4. Village of Fonda, Designated Representative
5. Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Planning Staff
6. Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Designated Representative
7. Canal Corporation Representative
8. Civic Group(s)
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 127 IV. Implementation Plan
Potential Funding Opportunities/Sources
The following State and Federal Agencies are potential sources of grant funding. Check with the agency for the current status as the administration and funding for grant programs have been frequently changing over the last few years.
1. NY Department of State, Coastal Resources Grants
2. New York State Environmental Protection
3. Empire State Development Corp
4. NYS Business Development Corporation
5. NYS Canal System
6. NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal
7. Office of Community Renewal
8. Community Development Block Grant
9. Main Street Programs
10. New York State Canal Corporation
11. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
12. Transportation Enhancement Grant Program
Mid - Montgomery County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Page 128
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Retail Market Place Profile
Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
Place: 3627859 Fultonville Village, NY
Summary Demographics 2006 Population 735 2006 Households 294 2006 Median Disposable Income $29,488 2006 Per Capita Income $20,079
Industry Summary Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Total Retail Trade and Food & Drink (NAICS 44-45, 722) $34,656,563 $6,771,421 $-27,885,142 -67.3 7 Total Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45) $34,100,634 $6,036,926 $-28,063,708 -69.9 4 Total Food & Drink (NAICS 722) $555,929 $734,495 $178,566 13.8 3
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers (NAICS 441) $0 $1,791,622 $1,791,622 100.0 0 Automobile Dealers (NAICS 4411) $0 $1,488,318 $1,488,318 100.0 0 Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (NAICS 4412) $0 $204,720 $204,720 100.0 0 Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores (NAICS 4413) $0 $98,584 $98,584 100.0 0
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 442) $0 $171,488 $171,488 100.0 0 Furniture Stores (NAICS 4421) $0 $118,761 $118,761 100.0 0 Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 4422) $0 $52,727 $52,727 100.0 0
Electronics & Appliance Stores (NAICS 443/NAICS 4431) $0 $110,897 $110,897 100.0 0
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores (NAICS 444) $158,529 $255,094 $96,565 23.3 1 Building Material and Supplies Dealers (NAICS 4441) $158,529 $247,164 $88,635 21.8 1 Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores (NAICS 4442) $0 $7,930 $7,930 100.0 0
Food & Beverage Stores (NAICS 445) $0 $1,257,891 $1,257,891 100.0 0 Grocery Stores (NAICS 4451) $0 $1,129,146 $1,129,146 100.0 0 Specialty Food Stores (NAICS 4452) $0 $69,333 $69,333 100.0 0 Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores (NAICS 4453) $0 $59,412 $59,412 100.0 0
Health & Personal Care Stores (NAICS 446/NAICS 4461) $0 $292,287 $292,287 100.0 0
Gasoline Stations (NAICS 447/4471) $33,887,765 $973,152 $-32,914,613 -94.4 2
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores (NAICS 448) $0 $258,116 $258,116 100.0 0 Clothing Stores (NAICS 4481) $0 $194,857 $194,857 100.0 0 Shoe Stores (NAICS 4482) $0 $46,141 $46,141 100.0 0 Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores (NAICS 4483) $0 $17,118 $17,118 100.0 0
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores (NAICS 451) $0 $41,793 $41,793 100.0 0 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores (NAICS 4511) $0 $35,964 $35,964 100.0 0 Book, Periodical, and Music Stores (NAICS 4512) $0 $5,829 $5,829 100.0 0
Data Note: Supply (retail sales) estimates sales to consumers by establishments. Sales to businesses are excluded. Demand (retail potential) estimates the expected amount spent by consumers at retail establishments. Supply and demand estimates are in current dollars. The Leakage/Surplus Factor presents a snapshot of retail opportunity. This is a measure of the relationship between supply and demand that ranges from +100 (total leakage) to -100 (total surplus). A positive value represents 'leakage' of retail opportunity outside the trade area. A negative value represents a surplus of retail sales, a market where customers are drawn in from outside the trade area. The Retail Gap represents the difference between Retail Potential and Retail Sales. ESRI uses the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to classify businesses by their primary type of economic activity. Retail establishments are classified into 27 industry groups in the Retail Trade sector, as well as four industry groups within the Food Services & Drinking Establishments subsector.
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 1 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
Place: 3627859 Fultonville Village, NY
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 452) $0 $496,904 $496,904 100.0 0 Department Stores Excluding Leased Depts.(NAICS 4521) $0 $357,374 $357,374 100.0 0 Other General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4529) $0 $139,530 $139,530 100.0 0
Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 453) $54,340 $128,220 $73,880 40.5 1 Florists (NAICS 4531) $0 $30,713 $30,713 100.0 0 Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores (NAICS 4532) $0 $58,331 $58,331 100.0 0 Used Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4533) $54,340 $3,761 $-50,579 -87.1 1 Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 4539) $0 $35,415 $35,415 100.0 0
Nonstore Retailers (NAICS 454) $0 $259,462 $259,462 100.0 0 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses (NAICS 4541) $0 $202,290 $202,290 100.0 0 Vending Machine Operators (NAICS 4542) $0 $26,694 $26,694 100.0 0 Direct Selling Establishments (NAICS 4543) $0 $30,478 $30,478 100.0 0
Food Services & Drinking Places (NAICS 722) $555,929 $734,495 $178,566 13.8 3 Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS 7221) $0 $462,422 $462,422 100.0 0 Limited-Service Eating Places (NAICS 7222) $555,929 $225,559 $-330,370 -42.3 3 Special Food Services (NAICS 7223) $0 $40,806 $40,806 100.0 0 Drinking Places - Alcoholic Beverages (NAICS 7224) $0 $5,708 $5,708 100.0 0
Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Subsector
-80.0 -60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores
Food & Beverage Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores NAICS Industry Subsector
General Merchandise Stores
Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Nonstore Retailers
Food Services & Drinking Places
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 2 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
Place: 3627859 Fultonville Village, NY Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Group
-80.0 -60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Automobile Dealers
Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores
Furniture Stores
Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Building Material and Supplies Dealers
Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
Grocery Stores
Specialty Food Stores
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing Stores
Shoe Stores
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores
Book, Periodical, and Music Stores
NAICS Industry Group Department Stores (Excluding Leased Depts.)
Other General Merchandise Stores
Florists
Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
Vending Machine Operators
Direct Selling Establishments
Full-Service Restaurants
Limited-Service Eating Places
Special Food Services
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 3 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
Place: 3626462 Fonda Village, NY
Summary Demographics 2006 Population 793 2006 Households 349 2006 Median Disposable Income $30,707 2006 Per Capita Income $20,355
Industry Summary Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Total Retail Trade and Food & Drink (NAICS 44-45, 722) $28,162,164 $6,834,933 $-21,327,231 -60.9 19 Total Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45) $22,469,169 $5,960,679 $-16,508,490 -58.1 11 Total Food & Drink (NAICS 722) $5,692,995 $874,254 $-4,818,741 -73.4 8
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers (NAICS 441) $423,010 $1,603,152 $1,180,142 58.2 2 Automobile Dealers (NAICS 4411) $0 $1,327,453 $1,327,453 100.0 0 Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (NAICS 4412) $251,219 $164,463 $-86,756 -20.9 1 Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores (NAICS 4413) $171,791 $111,236 $-60,555 -21.4 1
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 442) $296,931 $207,156 $-89,775 -17.8 1 Furniture Stores (NAICS 4421) $0 $145,328 $145,328 100.0 0 Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 4422) $296,931 $61,828 $-235,103 -65.5 1
Electronics & Appliance Stores (NAICS 443/NAICS 4431) $0 $126,608 $126,608 100.0 0
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores (NAICS 444) $5,778,942 $223,246 $-5,555,696 -92.6 1 Building Material and Supplies Dealers (NAICS 4441) $5,778,942 $217,975 $-5,560,967 -92.7 1 Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores (NAICS 4442) $0 $5,271 $5,271 100.0 0
Food & Beverage Stores (NAICS 445) $8,145,031 $1,310,871 $-6,834,160 -72.3 3 Grocery Stores (NAICS 4451) $8,145,031 $1,164,491 $-6,980,540 -75.0 3 Specialty Food Stores (NAICS 4452) $0 $71,701 $71,701 100.0 0 Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores (NAICS 4453) $0 $74,679 $74,679 100.0 0
Health & Personal Care Stores (NAICS 446/NAICS 4461) $0 $302,048 $302,048 100.0 0
Gasoline Stations (NAICS 447/4471) $2,830,187 $898,805 $-1,931,382 -51.8 1
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores (NAICS 448) $0 $298,020 $298,020 100.0 0 Clothing Stores (NAICS 4481) $0 $221,432 $221,432 100.0 0 Shoe Stores (NAICS 4482) $0 $52,731 $52,731 100.0 0 Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores (NAICS 4483) $0 $23,857 $23,857 100.0 0
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores (NAICS 451) $91,073 $48,754 $-42,319 -30.3 1 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores (NAICS 4511) $0 $40,045 $40,045 100.0 0 Book, Periodical, and Music Stores (NAICS 4512) $91,073 $8,709 $-82,364 -82.5 1
Data Note: Supply (retail sales) estimates sales to consumers by establishments. Sales to businesses are excluded. Demand (retail potential) estimates the expected amount spent by consumers at retail establishments. Supply and demand estimates are in current dollars. The Leakage/Surplus Factor presents a snapshot of retail opportunity. This is a measure of the relationship between supply and demand that ranges from +100 (total leakage) to -100 (total surplus). A positive value represents 'leakage' of retail opportunity outside the trade area. A negative value represents a surplus of retail sales, a market where customers are drawn in from outside the trade area. The Retail Gap represents the difference between Retail Potential and Retail Sales. ESRI uses the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to classify businesses by their primary type of economic activity. Retail establishments are classified into 27 industry groups in the Retail Trade sector, as well as four industry groups within the Food Services & Drinking Establishments subsector.
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 1 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
Place: 3626462 Fonda Village, NY
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 452) $4,762,560 $531,674 $-4,230,886 -79.9 1 Department Stores Excluding Leased Depts.(NAICS 4521) $0 $389,095 $389,095 100.0 0 Other General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4529) $4,762,560 $142,579 $-4,619,981 -94.2 1
Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 453) $141,435 $121,265 $-20,170 -7.7 1 Florists (NAICS 4531) $141,435 $19,952 $-121,483 -75.3 1 Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores (NAICS 4532) $0 $67,923 $67,923 100.0 0 Used Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4533) $0 $5,061 $5,061 100.0 0 Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 4539) $0 $28,329 $28,329 100.0 0
Nonstore Retailers (NAICS 454) $0 $289,080 $289,080 100.0 0 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses (NAICS 4541) $0 $242,984 $242,984 100.0 0 Vending Machine Operators (NAICS 4542) $0 $28,165 $28,165 100.0 0 Direct Selling Establishments (NAICS 4543) $0 $17,931 $17,931 100.0 0
Food Services & Drinking Places (NAICS 722) $5,692,995 $874,254 $-4,818,741 -73.4 8 Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS 7221) $5,186,047 $556,528 $-4,629,519 -80.6 2 Limited-Service Eating Places (NAICS 7222) $389,026 $261,949 $-127,077 -19.5 5 Special Food Services (NAICS 7223) $0 $47,584 $47,584 100.0 0 Drinking Places - Alcoholic Beverages (NAICS 7224) $117,922 $8,193 $-109,729 -87.0 1
Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Subsector
-80.0 -60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores
Food & Beverage Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores NAICS Industry Subsector
General Merchandise Stores
Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Nonstore Retailers
Food Services & Drinking Places
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 2 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
Place: 3626462 Fonda Village, NY Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Group
-80.0 -60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Automobile Dealers
Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores
Furniture Stores
Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Building Material and Supplies Dealers
Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
Grocery Stores
Specialty Food Stores
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing Stores
Shoe Stores
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores
Book, Periodical, and Music Stores
NAICS Industry Group Department Stores (Excluding Leased Depts.)
Other General Merchandise Stores
Florists
Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
Vending Machine Operators
Direct Selling Establishments
Full-Service Restaurants
Limited-Service Eating Places
Special Food Services
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 3 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
County: 36057 Montgomery County, NY
Summary Demographics 2006 Population 49,546 2006 Households 20,213 2006 Median Disposable Income $30,257 2006 Per Capita Income $20,769
Industry Summary Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Total Retail Trade and Food & Drink (NAICS 44-45, 722) $574,793,320 $421,468,983 $-153,324,337 -15.4 390 Total Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45) $527,869,519 $369,701,464 $-158,168,055 -17.6 282 Total Food & Drink (NAICS 722) $46,923,801 $51,767,519 $4,843,718 4.9 108
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers (NAICS 441) $150,528,049 $101,649,185 $-48,878,864 -19.4 49 Automobile Dealers (NAICS 4411) $105,683,937 $84,525,532 $-21,158,405 -11.1 23 Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (NAICS 4412) $32,610,777 $10,577,623 $-22,033,154 -51.0 9 Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores (NAICS 4413) $12,233,335 $6,546,030 $-5,687,305 -30.3 17
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 442) $9,116,455 $12,250,381 $3,133,926 14.7 11 Furniture Stores (NAICS 4421) $6,627,606 $8,557,273 $1,929,667 12.7 6 Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 4422) $2,488,849 $3,693,108 $1,204,259 19.5 5
Electronics & Appliance Stores (NAICS 443/NAICS 4431) $3,883,459 $7,469,903 $3,586,444 31.6 16
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores (NAICS 444) $26,819,227 $14,623,902 $-12,195,325 -29.4 25 Building Material and Supplies Dealers (NAICS 4441) $26,373,124 $14,242,610 $-12,130,514 -29.9 20 Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores (NAICS 4442) $446,103 $381,292 $-64,811 -7.8 5
Food & Beverage Stores (NAICS 445) $97,807,659 $80,308,067 $-17,499,592 -9.8 50 Grocery Stores (NAICS 4451) $84,409,223 $71,561,378 $-12,847,845 -8.2 30 Specialty Food Stores (NAICS 4452) $5,135,733 $4,408,843 $-726,890 -7.6 11 Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores (NAICS 4453) $8,262,703 $4,337,846 $-3,924,857 -31.1 9
Health & Personal Care Stores (NAICS 446/NAICS 4461) $33,618,709 $18,309,571 $-15,309,138 -29.5 15
Gasoline Stations (NAICS 447/4471) $113,774,016 $56,916,862 $-56,857,154 -33.3 20
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores (NAICS 448) $14,146,510 $18,040,579 $3,894,069 12.1 20 Clothing Stores (NAICS 4481) $8,724,224 $13,475,008 $4,750,784 21.4 12 Shoe Stores (NAICS 4482) $2,823,151 $3,210,043 $386,892 6.4 4 Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores (NAICS 4483) $2,599,135 $1,355,528 $-1,243,607 -31.4 4
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores (NAICS 451) $5,278,234 $2,876,222 $-2,402,012 -29.5 15 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores (NAICS 4511) $4,540,068 $2,408,964 $-2,131,104 -30.7 10 Book, Periodical, and Music Stores (NAICS 4512) $738,166 $467,258 $-270,908 -22.5 5
Data Note: Supply (retail sales) estimates sales to consumers by establishments. Sales to businesses are excluded. Demand (retail potential) estimates the expected amount spent by consumers at retail establishments. Supply and demand estimates are in current dollars. The Leakage/Surplus Factor presents a snapshot of retail opportunity. This is a measure of the relationship between supply and demand that ranges from +100 (total leakage) to -100 (total surplus). A positive value represents 'leakage' of retail opportunity outside the trade area. A negative value represents a surplus of retail sales, a market where customers are drawn in from outside the trade area. The Retail Gap represents the difference between Retail Potential and Retail Sales. ESRI uses the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to classify businesses by their primary type of economic activity. Retail establishments are classified into 27 industry groups in the Retail Trade sector, as well as four industry groups within the Food Services & Drinking Establishments subsector.
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 1 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
County: 36057 Montgomery County, NY
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 452) $31,565,286 $32,393,244 $827,958 1.3 12 Department Stores Excluding Leased Depts.(NAICS 4521) $17,778,928 $23,624,434 $5,845,506 14.1 10 Other General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4529) $13,786,358 $8,768,810 $-5,017,548 -22.2 2
Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 453) $15,446,772 $7,665,869 $-7,780,903 -33.7 44 Florists (NAICS 4531) $1,801,437 $1,460,009 $-341,428 -10.5 11 Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores (NAICS 4532) $8,079,334 $4,031,039 $-4,048,295 -33.4 14 Used Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4533) $768,528 $287,461 $-481,067 -45.6 8 Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 4539) $4,797,473 $1,887,360 $-2,910,113 -43.5 11
Nonstore Retailers (NAICS 454) $25,885,143 $17,197,679 $-8,687,464 -20.2 5 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses (NAICS 4541) $22,137,628 $14,037,244 $-8,100,384 -22.4 1 Vending Machine Operators (NAICS 4542) $1,946,661 $1,722,869 $-223,792 -6.1 3 Direct Selling Establishments (NAICS 4543) $1,800,854 $1,437,566 $-363,288 -11.2 1
Food Services & Drinking Places (NAICS 722) $46,923,801 $51,767,519 $4,843,718 4.9 108 Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS 7221) $30,024,481 $32,860,964 $2,836,483 4.5 6 Limited-Service Eating Places (NAICS 7222) $13,342,997 $15,603,845 $2,260,848 7.8 87 Special Food Services (NAICS 7223) $2,555,022 $2,832,020 $276,998 5.1 3 Drinking Places - Alcoholic Beverages (NAICS 7224) $1,001,301 $470,690 $-530,611 -36.0 12
Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Subsector
-30.0 -25.0 -20.0 -15.0 -10.0 -5.0 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0
Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores
Food & Beverage Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores NAICS Industry Subsector
General Merchandise Stores
Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Nonstore Retailers
Food Services & Drinking Places
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 2 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
County: 36057 Montgomery County, NY Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Group
-50.0 -40.0 -30.0 -20.0 -10.0 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0
Automobile Dealers
Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores
Furniture Stores
Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Building Material and Supplies Dealers
Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
Grocery Stores
Specialty Food Stores
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing Stores
Shoe Stores
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores
Book, Periodical, and Music Stores
NAICS Industry Group Department Stores (Excluding Leased Depts.)
Other General Merchandise Stores
Florists
Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
Vending Machine Operators
Direct Selling Establishments
Full-Service Restaurants
Limited-Service Eating Places
Special Food Services
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 3 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
CountySubDivisions: 3605729047 Glen Town, NY
Summary Demographics 2006 Population 2,301 2006 Households 823 2006 Median Disposable Income $35,339 2006 Per Capita Income $20,332
Industry Summary Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Total Retail Trade and Food & Drink (NAICS 44-45, 722) $59,839,086 $19,557,760 $-40,281,326 -50.7 17 Total Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45) $58,920,410 $17,374,869 $-41,545,541 -54.5 11 Total Food & Drink (NAICS 722) $918,676 $2,182,891 $1,264,215 40.8 6
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers (NAICS 441) $2,585,908 $5,100,089 $2,514,181 32.7 2 Automobile Dealers (NAICS 4411) $0 $4,236,275 $4,236,275 100.0 0 Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (NAICS 4412) $0 $576,945 $576,945 100.0 0 Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores (NAICS 4413) $2,585,908 $286,869 $-2,299,039 -80.0 2
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 442) $0 $519,593 $519,593 100.0 0 Furniture Stores (NAICS 4421) $0 $360,430 $360,430 100.0 0 Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 4422) $0 $159,163 $159,163 100.0 0
Electronics & Appliance Stores (NAICS 443/NAICS 4431) $105,052 $325,848 $220,796 51.2 1
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores (NAICS 444) $249,117 $744,926 $495,809 49.9 1 Building Material and Supplies Dealers (NAICS 4441) $249,117 $722,669 $473,552 48.7 1 Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores (NAICS 4442) $0 $22,257 $22,257 100.0 0
Food & Beverage Stores (NAICS 445) $2,642,738 $3,620,188 $977,450 15.6 3 Grocery Stores (NAICS 4451) $1,274,471 $3,244,403 $1,969,932 43.6 2 Specialty Food Stores (NAICS 4452) $1,368,267 $199,217 $-1,169,050 -74.6 1 Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores (NAICS 4453) $0 $176,568 $176,568 100.0 0
Health & Personal Care Stores (NAICS 446/NAICS 4461) $0 $831,943 $831,943 100.0 0
Gasoline Stations (NAICS 447/4471) $53,252,203 $2,762,824 $-50,489,379 -90.1 3
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores (NAICS 448) $0 $768,322 $768,322 100.0 0 Clothing Stores (NAICS 4481) $0 $578,944 $578,944 100.0 0 Shoe Stores (NAICS 4482) $0 $136,209 $136,209 100.0 0 Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores (NAICS 4483) $0 $53,169 $53,169 100.0 0
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores (NAICS 451) $0 $123,813 $123,813 100.0 0 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores (NAICS 4511) $0 $106,334 $106,334 100.0 0 Book, Periodical, and Music Stores (NAICS 4512) $0 $17,479 $17,479 100.0 0
Data Note: Supply (retail sales) estimates sales to consumers by establishments. Sales to businesses are excluded. Demand (retail potential) estimates the expected amount spent by consumers at retail establishments. Supply and demand estimates are in current dollars. The Leakage/Surplus Factor presents a snapshot of retail opportunity. This is a measure of the relationship between supply and demand that ranges from +100 (total leakage) to -100 (total surplus). A positive value represents 'leakage' of retail opportunity outside the trade area. A negative value represents a surplus of retail sales, a market where customers are drawn in from outside the trade area. The Retail Gap represents the difference between Retail Potential and Retail Sales. ESRI uses the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to classify businesses by their primary type of economic activity. Retail establishments are classified into 27 industry groups in the Retail Trade sector, as well as four industry groups within the Food Services & Drinking Establishments subsector.
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 1 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
CountySubDivisions: 3605729047 Glen Town, NY
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 452) $0 $1,450,783 $1,450,783 100.0 0 Department Stores Excluding Leased Depts.(NAICS 4521) $0 $1,048,695 $1,048,695 100.0 0 Other General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4529) $0 $402,088 $402,088 100.0 0
Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 453) $85,392 $370,590 $285,198 62.5 1 Florists (NAICS 4531) $0 $86,208 $86,208 100.0 0 Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores (NAICS 4532) $0 $173,156 $173,156 100.0 0 Used Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4533) $85,392 $11,477 $-73,915 -76.3 1 Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 4539) $0 $99,749 $99,749 100.0 0
Nonstore Retailers (NAICS 454) $0 $755,950 $755,950 100.0 0 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses (NAICS 4541) $0 $594,147 $594,147 100.0 0 Vending Machine Operators (NAICS 4542) $0 $77,112 $77,112 100.0 0 Direct Selling Establishments (NAICS 4543) $0 $84,691 $84,691 100.0 0
Food Services & Drinking Places (NAICS 722) $918,676 $2,182,891 $1,264,215 40.8 6 Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS 7221) $0 $1,377,573 $1,377,573 100.0 0 Limited-Service Eating Places (NAICS 7222) $918,676 $666,978 $-251,698 -15.9 6 Special Food Services (NAICS 7223) $0 $120,757 $120,757 100.0 0 Drinking Places - Alcoholic Beverages (NAICS 7224) $0 $17,583 $17,583 100.0 0
Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Subsector
-80.0 -60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores
Food & Beverage Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores NAICS Industry Subsector
General Merchandise Stores
Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Nonstore Retailers
Food Services & Drinking Places
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 2 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
CountySubDivisions: 3605729047 Glen Town, NY Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Group
-80.0 -60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Automobile Dealers
Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores
Furniture Stores
Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Building Material and Supplies Dealers
Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
Grocery Stores
Specialty Food Stores
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing Stores
Shoe Stores
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores
Book, Periodical, and Music Stores
NAICS Industry Group Department Stores (Excluding Leased Depts.)
Other General Merchandise Stores
Florists
Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
Vending Machine Operators
Direct Selling Establishments
Full-Service Restaurants
Limited-Service Eating Places
Special Food Services
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 3 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
CountySubDivisions: 3605747834 Mohawk Town, NY
Summary Demographics 2006 Population 3,706 2006 Households 1,438 2006 Median Disposable Income $35,624 2006 Per Capita Income $21,905
Industry Summary Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Total Retail Trade and Food & Drink (NAICS 44-45, 722) $35,486,425 $32,714,885 $-2,771,540 -4.1 29 Total Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45) $28,667,009 $28,606,988 $-60,021 -0.1 17 Total Food & Drink (NAICS 722) $6,819,416 $4,107,897 $-2,711,519 -24.8 12
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers (NAICS 441) $489,801 $7,874,978 $7,385,177 88.3 2 Automobile Dealers (NAICS 4411) $0 $6,522,010 $6,522,010 100.0 0 Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (NAICS 4412) $290,885 $829,966 $539,081 48.1 1 Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores (NAICS 4413) $198,916 $523,002 $324,086 44.9 1
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 442) $343,815 $1,021,997 $678,182 49.7 1 Furniture Stores (NAICS 4421) $0 $718,386 $718,386 100.0 0 Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 4422) $343,815 $303,611 $-40,204 -6.2 1
Electronics & Appliance Stores (NAICS 443/NAICS 4431) $1,164,256 $593,231 $-571,025 -32.5 3
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores (NAICS 444) $6,747,170 $1,148,321 $-5,598,849 -70.9 2 Building Material and Supplies Dealers (NAICS 4441) $6,691,407 $1,120,385 $-5,571,022 -71.3 1 Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores (NAICS 4442) $55,763 $27,936 $-27,827 -33.2 1
Food & Beverage Stores (NAICS 445) $10,861,146 $6,165,942 $-4,695,204 -27.6 5 Grocery Stores (NAICS 4451) $10,450,666 $5,485,811 $-4,964,855 -31.2 4 Specialty Food Stores (NAICS 4452) $410,480 $338,547 $-71,933 -9.6 1 Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores (NAICS 4453) $0 $341,584 $341,584 100.0 0
Health & Personal Care Stores (NAICS 446/NAICS 4461) $0 $1,391,107 $1,391,107 100.0 0
Gasoline Stations (NAICS 447/4471) $3,277,059 $4,283,208 $1,006,149 13.3 1
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores (NAICS 448) $0 $1,432,498 $1,432,498 100.0 0 Clothing Stores (NAICS 4481) $0 $1,064,906 $1,064,906 100.0 0 Shoe Stores (NAICS 4482) $0 $252,137 $252,137 100.0 0 Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores (NAICS 4483) $0 $115,455 $115,455 100.0 0
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores (NAICS 451) $105,452 $227,234 $121,782 36.6 1 Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores (NAICS 4511) $0 $190,185 $190,185 100.0 0 Book, Periodical, and Music Stores (NAICS 4512) $105,452 $37,049 $-68,403 -48.0 1
Data Note: Supply (retail sales) estimates sales to consumers by establishments. Sales to businesses are excluded. Demand (retail potential) estimates the expected amount spent by consumers at retail establishments. Supply and demand estimates are in current dollars. The Leakage/Surplus Factor presents a snapshot of retail opportunity. This is a measure of the relationship between supply and demand that ranges from +100 (total leakage) to -100 (total surplus). A positive value represents 'leakage' of retail opportunity outside the trade area. A negative value represents a surplus of retail sales, a market where customers are drawn in from outside the trade area. The Retail Gap represents the difference between Retail Potential and Retail Sales. ESRI uses the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to classify businesses by their primary type of economic activity. Retail establishments are classified into 27 industry groups in the Retail Trade sector, as well as four industry groups within the Food Services & Drinking Establishments subsector.
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 1 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
CountySubDivisions: 3605747834 Mohawk Town, NY
Supply Demand Leakage/Surplus Number of Industry Group (Retail Sales) (Retail Potential) Retail Gap Factor Businesses General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 452) $5,514,543 $2,537,543 $-2,977,000 -37.0 1 Department Stores Excluding Leased Depts.(NAICS 4521) $0 $1,862,244 $1,862,244 100.0 0 Other General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4529) $5,514,543 $675,299 $-4,839,244 -78.2 1
Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 453) $163,767 $596,963 $433,196 56.9 1 Florists (NAICS 4531) $163,767 $106,523 $-57,244 -21.2 1 Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores (NAICS 4532) $0 $324,816 $324,816 100.0 0 Used Merchandise Stores (NAICS 4533) $0 $23,951 $23,951 100.0 0 Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 4539) $0 $141,673 $141,673 100.0 0
Nonstore Retailers (NAICS 454) $0 $1,333,966 $1,333,966 100.0 0 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses (NAICS 4541) $0 $1,104,384 $1,104,384 100.0 0 Vending Machine Operators (NAICS 4542) $0 $132,762 $132,762 100.0 0 Direct Selling Establishments (NAICS 4543) $0 $96,820 $96,820 100.0 0
Food Services & Drinking Places (NAICS 722) $6,819,416 $4,107,897 $-2,711,519 -24.8 12 Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS 7221) $6,004,896 $2,613,446 $-3,391,450 -39.4 2 Limited-Service Eating Places (NAICS 7222) $586,952 $1,233,381 $646,429 35.5 7 Special Food Services (NAICS 7223) $0 $223,928 $223,928 100.0 0 Drinking Places - Alcoholic Beverages (NAICS 7224) $227,568 $37,142 $-190,426 -71.9 3
Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Subsector
-60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers
Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Bldg Materials, Garden Equip. & Supply Stores
Food & Beverage Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores NAICS Industry Subsector
General Merchandise Stores
Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Nonstore Retailers
Food Services & Drinking Places
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 2 of 3 Retail MarketPlace Pro®le Prepared by Laberge Group
CountySubDivisions: 3605747834 Mohawk Town, NY Leakage/Surplus Factor by Industry Group
-60.0 -40.0 -20.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Automobile Dealers
Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores
Furniture Stores
Home Furnishings Stores
Electronics & Appliance Stores
Building Material and Supplies Dealers
Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
Grocery Stores
Specialty Food Stores
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
Health & Personal Care Stores
Gasoline Stations
Clothing Stores
Shoe Stores
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
Sporting Goods/Hobby/Musical Instrument Stores
Book, Periodical, and Music Stores
NAICS Industry Group Department Stores (Excluding Leased Depts.)
Other General Merchandise Stores
Florists
Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
Vending Machine Operators
Direct Selling Establishments
Full-Service Restaurants
Limited-Service Eating Places
Special Food Services
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
<ÐSurplusÐLeakageÐ>
Source: ESRI and infoUSA®
©2006 ESRI On-demand reports and maps from Business Analyst Online. Order at www.esri.com/bao or call 800-292-2224 5/04/2007 Page 3 of 3
Appendix B: Concept Mapping Process
Workshop Materials
(Report #P2) Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Instructions for Data Collection
This packet contains complete instructions and data collection forms for three key data collection tasks of the concept mapping process:
Task 1: Demographic questions Task 2: Rating the relative importance and feasibility of each individual statement Task 3: Sorting statements into groups and recording your results
For Task 1: Demographic Questions, you should have the following: • Demographics Sheet (salmon color)
For Task 2: Rating, you should have the following: • Importance and Feasibility Rating Recording Sheets (green color)
For Task 3: Sorting and Recording, you should have the following: • Instructions - Sorting and Recording (2 pages) • The statements in a deck of cards • Sort Recording Sheet (ivory color)
Please follow the enclosed instructions very carefully; a few small errors can significantly influence the final results.
You need to return only three items: • Demographics Sheet • Sort Recording Sheet • Importance and Feasibility Rating Sheets.
Please return these three sheets to session facilitator. They will be returned directly to Laberge Group for analysis.
If you have questions regarding the process or need further clarification of instructions, please contact:
Tim Cullenen Senior Planner – Laberge Group 607.372.0066
Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Task 3 - Instructions for Sorting and Recording
Step 1 - Sorting the Task Statement Cards. Enclosed in your package is a deck of cards with one statement per card. Each card has a statement and an ID number. Group the statements into piles in a way that makes sense to you, following these guidelines:
• Group the statements according to how similar in meaning they are to one another. Do not group the statements according to how important they are, how high a priority they have, etc. You have already done this in Task 2 – Rating.
• There is no right or wrong way to group the statements. You will probably find that you could group the statements in several sensible ways. Pick the arrangement that feels best to you.
• You cannot put one statement into two piles. Each statement must be put into only one pile.
• People differ in total amount of piles. In most cases, anywhere from 10 to 20 piles usually works out well.
• A statement may be in its own pile if you think it is unrelated to all the other statements or it stands alone as a unique idea.
• Do not have a pile of “miscellaneous” statements.
• Make sure that every statement is put somewhere. Do not leave any statements out.
{over}
Step 2 - Recording the Results. You also have in this packet a Sort Recording Sheet (ivory color) for recording the results of your groupings. On that sheet, please write the results as described below. An example of how to record a pile is shown in the first box on the Sort Recording Sheet.
• Pick up any one of your piles of statements. It does not matter in which order the piles are recorded.
• Quickly scan the statements in this pile, and write down a short phrase or title that describes the contents of the pile. Write the title on the line provided after Pile Title or Main Topic in the first available box on the Sort Recording Sheet.
• In the space provided under the pile name, write the statement identification (ID) number of each card in that pile. Separate the numbers with commas. When you finish with the pile, put it aside so as not to record it twice.
• Move on to your next pile and repeat the three steps above, recording the statement numbers in the next available box on the Sort Recording Sheet. Continue in this way until all your piles have been named and recorded.
• Your Sort Recording Sheet has room for you to record up to 20 piles or groups of cards. If you have more than 20 piles, continue recording your results on a blank sheet of paper and be sure to attach this extra sheet to the ones provided.
• Please write legibly and clearly.
(Report #P1) MONTGOMERY COUNTY LWRP CONCEPT MAPPING IDEA GENERATION FORM
Please review the statement below and generate brief phrases or sentences that complete the statement from your point of view. Please spend a moment and think of issues or concerns that others might not think to include. Consider issues that might impact the entire community as well as those that would affect you directly.
Please keep each single idea as brief and concise as possible. You can provide as many ideas as you like, please try to provide at least five. One of the benefits of the Concept Mapping process is that it is completely anonymous throughout the process. Therefore, we do not require any contact information or identification of who generated which ideas. Please be as creative and far-reaching as you like.
If you have questions about the process, please contact Doug Green at (518) 853.8334, or Tim Cullenen, Senior Planner – Laberge Group at #607.3372.0066
When completed, you may return the sheet to Doug Greene or email directly to Tim Cullenen at [email protected]
Thank you for your participation!
Focus Prompt: ”In order to enhance usage along the Mohawk River waterfront and to revitalize the core of our communities, a specific activity or action you feel is needed or should be done is .. . . “
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 10.
(Report #P3) Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Task 1: Demographics Questions
Please complete each question below by marking a check next to the most appropriate answer. While your data in this project is anonymous, we will not be able to include your data in some analyses if you don’t complete all of these demographic questions.
What is your age:
Under 18 ______18 – 35 _____ 36-49 _____ 50 – 65 ______65 – above _____
Which municipality do you reside in? (please check only one)
Village of Fonda ___ Village of Fultonville ____ Town of Glen ___ Town of Mohawk ___ Montgomery County (other than communities above) ____ Other ___
What is your primary affiliation in the community? (please check the one that most closely reflects how you view your role within the community):
Village or Town Citizen ___ Village or Town elected official ___ Village or Town employee ___ Local Business owner ___ Student ___ County or State elected official ___ County or State employee ___ Other ______
Appendix C: Concept Mapping Results Reports
Mid Montgomery Cty. Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #1) Statements Sorted by Statement Number 11/2/2007 # Statement 1 cleaner environment 2 bus stop 3 increased commercial amenities along Riverside Drive 4 more trees along street from Fonda to fairgrounds 5 community concession / office at Park Street 6 boating events / derbies / regattas 7 canoe / kayak launch access 8 better safety & security 9 improve existing dock facilities at Canal Corp property 10 better main street amenities - plants, benches, trash bins 11 casino 12 additional parks 13 provide dockage for larger boats up to 200' 14 museum 15 improve signage on Canal Way Trail to businesses in Fultonville 16 clean up the riverbanks 17 increased access to river 18 build a boat launch at Cayadutta Creek 19 volleyball court 20 pedestrian bridge over rail line at east end of Fonda to fairgrounds 21 provide fuel facilities for boaters 22 eliminate permit fees for boaters 23 widen Riverside Drive 24 walking trail connecting to the Canal Way Trail 25 steamboat rides 26 create easily accessible docking for transient boaters 27 install a barrier between fairground racetrack and riverfront 28 better flood control 29 basketball courts 30 additional fire pits / grills for picnics 31 more fast food establishments 32 additional places to shop 33 walking path 34 fishing derbies 35 benches along waterfront 36 water slides 37 add/develop a unique element / appearance to the downtowns 38 stronger code enforcement of building conditions 39 life guards 40 fishing pier or decks 41 develop safe places to swim 42 additional restaurants 43 improve accessibility to/from Canal Corp dock area 44 improve access to the river at the old Poplars 45 swings & playground equipment 46 create a beach(s) 47 better parks for kids 48 shuttle boats (taxis) along river 49 build a drive-in theater 50 connect Canal Way Trail to Adirondack Scenic By-Way trail head 51 cleaner race track 52 increaed use of Fonda fairgrounds for river access 53 tour boats alng the river 54 develop a recreational trail on abandoned rail R.O.W. in Fonda 55 a boardwalk along river 56 additonal / better parking in downtowns & along waterfront 57 free-to-the-public boat launch site 58 skateboard park 59 increased local business development 60 building facade improvements 61 provide pump-out facilities for boaters 62 zoo 63 develop more housing units above businesses in downtown 64 build an indoor movie theater 65 trail connections for Winter uses 66 campground with amenities 67 construct a community building at Fireman's Park 68 better erosion control 69 develop a water park 70 more events / festivals 71 tours of the area & local amenities 72 canoe & kayak races 73 cleaner water 74 better connection between Canal Way Trail and waterfront 75 picnic areas 76 pave the race track 77 improve pedestrian usage & safety of highway bridges over river 78 clean up & improve the Canal Corp maintenance facility 79 wider sidewalks from Fonda to fairgrounds 80 Town pool 81 develop a park at Cayadutta Creek 82 restrooms 83 trees along Park Street 84 Winter sports and festivals 85 repair / improve existing boat launches and dock areas Mid Montgomery Cty. Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #2) Statements By Importance Ratings - Descending 11/6/2007 # Statement Rating 28 better flood control 4.22 1 cleaner environment 4.19 17 increased access to river 4.17 44 improve access to the river at the old Poplars 4.08 59 increased local business development 4.08 85 repair / improve existing boat launches and dock areas 4.08 73 cleaner water 4.06 16 clean up the riverbanks 3.97 37 add/develop a unique element / appearance to the downtowns 3.97 70 more events / festivals 3.94 60 building facade improvements 3.92 26 create easily accessible docking for transient boaters 3.89 57 free-to-the-public boat launch site 3.86 7 canoe / kayak launch access 3.83 56 additonal / better parking in downtowns & along waterfront 3.83 74 better connection between Canal Way Trail and waterfront 3.83 9 improve existing dock facilities at Canal Corp property 3.81 43 improve accessibility to/from Canal Corp dock area 3.81 75 picnic areas 3.81 38 stronger code enforcement of building conditions 3.78 40 fishing pier or decks 3.78 33 walking path 3.75 35 benches along waterfront 3.75 54 develop a recreational trail on abandoned rail R.O.W. in Fonda 3.72 82 restrooms 3.72 21 provide fuel facilities for boaters 3.67 53 tour boats alng the river 3.67 55 a boardwalk along river 3.67 84 Winter sports and festivals 3.67 10 better main street amenities - plants, benches, trash bins 3.64 77 improve pedestrian usage & safety of highway bridges over river 3.64 18 build a boat launch at Cayadutta Creek 3.58 30 additional fire pits / grills for picnics 3.58 32 additional places to shop 3.56 15 improve signage on Canal Way Trail to businesses in Fultonville 3.53 42 additional restaurants 3.53 8 better safety & security 3.50 6 boating events / derbies / regattas 3.47 24 walking trail connecting to the Canal Way Trail 3.47 68 better erosion control 3.47 61 provide pump-out facilities for boaters 3.44 34 fishing derbies 3.36 50 connect Canal Way Trail to Adirondack Scenic By-Way trail head 3.33 65 trail connections for Winter uses 3.33 71 tours of the area & local amenities 3.33 3 increased commercial amenities along Riverside Drive 3.28 52 increaed use of Fonda fairgrounds for river access 3.28 81 develop a park at Cayadutta Creek 3.28 45 swings & playground equipment 3.25 72 canoe & kayak races 3.25 78 clean up & improve the Canal Corp maintenance facility 3.19 47 better parks for kids 3.17 12 additional parks 3.14 41 develop safe places to swim 3.06 66 campground with amenities 3.06 46 create a beach(s) 2.94 67 construct a community building at Fireman's Park 2.94 13 provide dockage for larger boats up to 200' 2.92 27 install a barrier between fairground racetrack and riverfront 2.89 79 wider sidewalks from Fonda to fairgrounds 2.89 80 Town pool 2.89 83 trees along Park Street 2.86 22 eliminate permit fees for boaters 2.83 63 develop more housing units above businesses in downtown 2.75 51 cleaner race track 2.72 23 widen Riverside Drive 2.61 25 steamboat rides 2.58 2 bus stop 2.56 5 community concession / office at Park Street 2.56 14 museum 2.56 48 shuttle boats (taxis) along river 2.53 29 basketball courts 2.39 4 more trees along street from Fonda to fairgrounds 2.33 31 more fast food establishments 2.25 39 life guards 2.22 20 pedestrian bridge over rail line at east end of Fonda to fairgrounds 2.17 64 build an indoor movie theater 2.08 58 skateboard park 2.06 19 volleyball court 2.03 36 water slides 2.00 49 build a drive-in theater 1.69 69 develop a water park 1.64 76 pave the race track 1.58 62 zoo 1.47 11 casino 1.39 Mid Montgomery Cty. Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #3) Statements By Feasibility Ratings - Descending 11/6/2007 # Statement Rating 7 canoe / kayak launch access 4.08 16 clean up the riverbanks 3.97 17 increased access to river 3.97 10 better main street amenities - plants, benches, trash bins 3.95 85 repair / improve existing boat launches and dock areas 3.89 70 more events / festivals 3.78 35 benches along waterfront 3.76 34 fishing derbies 3.73 28 better flood control 3.70 73 cleaner water 3.70 75 picnic areas 3.70 6 boating events / derbies / regattas 3.68 9 improve existing dock facilities at Canal Corp property 3.68 40 fishing pier or decks 3.68 45 swings & playground equipment 3.68 57 free-to-the-public boat launch site 3.68 44 improve access to the river at the old Poplars 3.65 1 cleaner environment 3.62 15 improve signage on Canal Way Trail to businesses in Fultonville 3.62 33 walking path 3.62 26 create easily accessible docking for transient boaters 3.59 43 improve accessibility to/from Canal Corp dock area 3.59 30 additional fire pits / grills for picnics 3.57 38 stronger code enforcement of building conditions 3.54 59 increased local business development 3.54 60 building facade improvements 3.51 55 a boardwalk along river 3.49 84 Winter sports and festivals 3.49 8 better safety & security 3.46 18 build a boat launch at Cayadutta Creek 3.46 37 add/develop a unique element / appearance to the downtowns 3.41 3 increased commercial amenities along Riverside Drive 3.38 56 additonal / better parking in downtowns & along waterfront 3.35 72 canoe & kayak races 3.35 21 provide fuel facilities for boaters 3.32 53 tour boats alng the river 3.32 74 better connection between Canal Way Trail and waterfront 3.32 54 develop a recreational trail on abandoned rail R.O.W. in Fonda 3.30 78 clean up & improve the Canal Corp maintenance facility 3.30 82 restrooms 3.30 42 additional restaurants 3.27 24 walking trail connecting to the Canal Way Trail 3.24 32 additional places to shop 3.24 71 tours of the area & local amenities 3.24 47 better parks for kids 3.22 22 eliminate permit fees for boaters 3.19 50 connect Canal Way Trail to Adirondack Scenic By-Way trail head 3.16 83 trees along Park Street 3.16 61 provide pump-out facilities for boaters 3.11 77 improve pedestrian usage & safety of highway bridges over river 3.11 65 trail connections for Winter uses 3.08 68 better erosion control 3.08 81 develop a park at Cayadutta Creek 3.08 2 bus stop 3.05 5 community concession / office at Park Street 3.05 27 install a barrier between fairground racetrack and riverfront 3.05 4 more trees along street from Fonda to fairgrounds 3.00 12 additional parks 3.00 41 develop safe places to swim 2.95 52 increaed use of Fonda fairgrounds for river access 2.95 79 wider sidewalks from Fonda to fairgrounds 2.95 13 provide dockage for larger boats up to 200' 2.78 29 basketball courts 2.78 63 develop more housing units above businesses in downtown 2.78 66 campground with amenities 2.78 19 volleyball court 2.73 51 cleaner race track 2.73 67 construct a community building at Fireman's Park 2.73 31 more fast food establishments 2.70 39 life guards 2.65 25 steamboat rides 2.59 46 create a beach(s) 2.59 80 Town pool 2.51 14 museum 2.43 23 widen Riverside Drive 2.41 48 shuttle boats (taxis) along river 2.32 20 pedestrian bridge over rail line at east end of Fonda to fairgrounds 2.30 36 water slides 2.27 58 skateboard park 2.27 64 build an indoor movie theater 1.97 49 build a drive-in theater 1.76 76 pave the race track 1.76 69 develop a water park 1.57 11 casino 1.32 62 zoo 1.32 Mid Montgomery County Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #4) Average Cluster Ratings by Importance 11/6/2007
Importance Feasibility Main Street 3.81 3.52 Environment 3.69 3.49 Boating 3.64 3.54 Trails 3.61 3.36 Amenities 3.56 3.45 Commercial / Business Issues 3.25 3.21 Parks 3.13 2.95 Recreational Activities 2.67 2.82 Community Improvements 2.64 2.74 Attractions 1.83 1.81 Mid Montgomery Cty. Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #5) Average Cluster Ratings by Feasibility 11/6/2007 Boating 3.54 Main Street 3.52 Environment 3.49 Amenities 3.45 Trails 3.36 Commercial / Business Issues 3.21 Parks 2.95 Recreational Activities 2.82 Community Improvements 2.74 Attractions 1.81 Mid Montgomery Cty. Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #6) Statements By Cluster with Average Ratings 11/6/2007 Cluster 1: Environment Importance Feasibility 28 better flood control 4.22 3.70 1 cleaner environment 4.19 3.62 73 cleaner water 4.06 3.70 16 clean up the riverbanks 3.97 3.97 8 better safety & security 3.50 3.46 68 better erosion control 3.47 3.08 78 clean up & improve the Canal Corp maintenance facility 3.19 3.30 27 install a barrier between fairground racetrack and riverfront 2.89 3.05 3.69 3.49
Cluster 2: Commercial / Business Issues 59 increased local business development 4.08 3.54 60 building facade improvements 3.92 3.51 38 stronger code enforcement of building conditions 3.78 3.54 42 additional restaurants 3.53 3.27 3 increased commercial amenities along Riverside Drive 3.28 3.38 83 trees along Park Street 2.86 3.16 63 develop more housing units above businesses in downtown 2.75 2.78 51 cleaner race track 2.72 2.73 4 more trees along street from Fonda to fairgrounds 2.33 3.00 3.25 3.21
Cluster 3: Main Street 37 add/develop a unique element / appearance to the downtowns 3.97 3.41 70 more events / festivals 3.94 3.78 56 additonal / better parking in downtowns & along waterfront 3.83 3.35 77 improve pedestrian usage & safety of highway bridges over river 3.64 3.11 10 better main street amenities - plants, benches, trash bins 3.64 3.95 3.81 3.52
Cluster 4: Amenities 35 benches along waterfront 3.75 3.76 84 Winter sports and festivals 3.67 3.49 15 improve signage on Canal Way Trail to businesses in Fultonville 3.53 3.62 52 increaed use of Fonda fairgrounds for river access 3.28 2.95 3.56 3.45
Cluster 5: Community Improvements 32 additional places to shop 3.56 3.24 71 tours of the area & local amenities 3.33 3.24 67 construct a community building at Fireman's Park 2.94 2.73 79 wider sidewalks from Fonda to fairgrounds 2.89 2.95 23 widen Riverside Drive 2.61 2.41 5 community concession / office at Park Street 2.56 3.05 2 bus stop 2.56 3.05 31 more fast food establishments 2.25 2.70 20 pedestrian bridge over rail line at east end of Fonda to fairgrounds 2.17 2.30 76 pave the race track 1.58 1.76 2.64 2.74
Cluster 6: Attractions 14 museum 2.56 2.43 64 build an indoor movie theater 2.08 1.97 36 water slides 2.00 2.27 49 build a drive-in theater 1.69 1.76 69 develop a water park 1.64 1.57 62 zoo 1.47 1.32 11 casino 1.39 1.32 1.83 1.81 Cluster 7: Boating 17 increased access to river 4.17 3.97 44 improve access to the river at the old Poplars 4.08 3.65 85 repair / improve existing boat launches and dock areas 4.08 3.89 26 create easily accessible docking for transient boaters 3.89 3.59 57 free-to-the-public boat launch site 3.86 3.68 7 canoe / kayak launch access 3.83 4.08 9 improve existing dock facilities at Canal Corp property 3.81 3.68 43 improve accessibility to/from Canal Corp dock area 3.81 3.59 40 fishing pier or decks 3.78 3.68 21 provide fuel facilities for boaters 3.67 3.32 53 tour boats alng the river 3.67 3.32 18 build a boat launch at Cayadutta Creek 3.58 3.46 6 boating events / derbies / regattas 3.47 3.68 61 provide pump-out facilities for boaters 3.44 3.11 34 fishing derbies 3.36 3.73 72 canoe & kayak races 3.25 3.35 13 provide dockage for larger boats up to 200' 2.92 2.78 22 eliminate permit fees for boaters 2.83 3.19 3.64 3.54
Cluster 8: Parks 82 restrooms 3.72 3.30 30 additional fire pits / grills for picnics 3.58 3.57 81 develop a park at Cayadutta Creek 3.28 3.08 12 additional parks 3.14 3.00 66 campground with amenities 3.06 2.78 25 steamboat rides 2.58 2.59 48 shuttle boats (taxis) along river 2.53 2.32 3.13 2.95
Cluster 9: Recreational Activities 45 swings & playground equipment 3.25 3.68 47 better parks for kids 3.17 3.22 41 develop safe places to swim 3.06 2.95 46 create a beach(s) 2.94 2.59 80 Town pool 2.89 2.51 29 basketball courts 2.39 2.78 39 life guards 2.22 2.65 58 skateboard park 2.06 2.27 19 volleyball court 2.03 2.73 2.67 2.82
Cluster 10: Trails 74 better connection between Canal Way Trail and waterfront 3.83 3.32 75 picnic areas 3.81 3.70 33 walking path 3.75 3.62 54 develop a recreational trail on abandoned rail R.O.W. in Fonda 3.72 3.30 55 a boardwalk along river 3.67 3.49 24 walking trail connecting to the Canal Way Trail 3.47 3.24 65 trail connections for Winter uses 3.33 3.08 50 connect Canal Way Trail to Adirondack Scenic By-Way trail head 3.33 3.16 3.61 3.36 Mid Montgomery Cty. Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #7) Statements By Cluster with Average Feasibility Ratings 11/6/2007 Cluster 1: Environment 16 clean up the riverbanks 3.97 28 better flood control 3.70 73 cleaner water 3.70 1 cleaner environment 3.62 8 better safety & security 3.46 78 clean up & improve the Canal Corp maintenance facility 3.30 68 better erosion control 3.08 27 install a barrier between fairground racetrack and riverfront 3.05 Average: 3.49
Cluster 2: Commercial / Business Issues 59 increased local business development 3.54 38 stronger code enforcement of building conditions 3.54 60 building facade improvements 3.51 3 increased commercial amenities along Riverside Drive 3.38 42 additional restaurants 3.27 83 trees along Park Street 3.16 4 more trees along street from Fonda to fairgrounds 3.00 63 develop more housing units above businesses in downtown 2.78 51 cleaner race track 2.73 Average: 3.21
Cluster 3: Main Street 10 better main street amenities - plants, benches, trash bins 3.95 70 more events / festivals 3.78 37 add/develop a unique element / appearance to the downtowns 3.41 56 additonal / better parking in downtowns & along waterfront 3.35 77 improve pedestrian usage & safety of highway bridges over river 3.11 Average: 3.52
Cluster 4: Amenities 35 benches along waterfront 3.76 15 improve signage on Canal Way Trail to businesses in Fultonville 3.62 84 Winter sports and festivals 3.49 52 increaed use of Fonda fairgrounds for river access 2.95 Average: 3.45
Cluster 5: Community Improvements 32 additional places to shop 3.24 71 tours of the area & local amenities 3.24 5 community concession / office at Park Street 3.05 2 bus stop 3.05 79 wider sidewalks from Fonda to fairgrounds 2.95 67 construct a community building at Fireman's Park 2.73 31 more fast food establishments 2.70 23 widen Riverside Drive 2.41 20 pedestrian bridge over rail line at east end of Fonda to fairgrounds 2.30 76 pave the race track 1.76 Average: 2.74
Cluster 6: Attractions 14 museum 2.43 36 water slides 2.27 64 build an indoor movie theater 1.97 49 build a drive-in theater 1.76 69 develop a water park 1.57 62 zoo 1.32 11 casino 1.32 Average: 1.81 Cluster 7: Boating 7 canoe / kayak launch access 4.08 17 increased access to river 3.97 85 repair / improve existing boat launches and dock areas 3.89 34 fishing derbies 3.73 40 fishing pier or decks 3.68 9 improve existing dock facilities at Canal Corp property 3.68 6 boating events / derbies / regattas 3.68 57 free-to-the-public boat launch site 3.68 44 improve access to the river at the old Poplars 3.65 43 improve accessibility to/from Canal Corp dock area 3.59 26 create easily accessible docking for transient boaters 3.59 18 build a boat launch at Cayadutta Creek 3.46 72 canoe & kayak races 3.35 53 tour boats alng the river 3.32 21 provide fuel facilities for boaters 3.32 22 eliminate permit fees for boaters 3.19 61 provide pump-out facilities for boaters 3.11 13 provide dockage for larger boats up to 200' 2.78 Average: 3.54
Cluster 8: Parks 30 additional fire pits / grills for picnics 3.57 82 restrooms 3.30 81 develop a park at Cayadutta Creek 3.08 12 additional parks 3.00 66 campground with amenities 2.78 25 steamboat rides 2.59 48 shuttle boats (taxis) along river 2.32 Average: 2.95
Cluster 9: Recreational Activities 45 swings & playground equipment 3.68 47 better parks for kids 3.22 41 develop safe places to swim 2.95 29 basketball courts 2.78 19 volleyball court 2.73 39 life guards 2.65 46 create a beach(s) 2.59 80 Town pool 2.51 58 skateboard park 2.27 Average: 2.82
Cluster 10: Trails 75 picnic areas 3.70 33 walking path 3.62 55 a boardwalk along river 3.49 74 better connection between Canal Way Trail and waterfront 3.32 54 develop a recreational trail on abandoned rail R.O.W. in Fonda 3.30 24 walking trail connecting to the Canal Way Trail 3.24 50 connect Canal Way Trail to Adirondack Scenic By-Way trail head 3.16 65 trail connections for Winter uses 3.08 Average: 3.36 Mid Montgomery Cty. Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Report #8) Participant Questions Categorical Summary 11/6/2007
Questions Variable Frequency % Age 18 - 35 4 10.81% 36 - 49 13 35.14% 50 - 65 15 40.54% 65 - above 5 13.51% 16 37 100% 14 65 - above 18 - 35 12 10 8 6 4 36 - 49 2 0 50 - 65 18 - 35 36 - 49 50 - 65 65 - above
Residency Montgomery Co. (other than above)4 10.81% Other 5 13.51% Town of Glen 3 8.11% Town of Mohawk10 27.03% Village of Fonda9 24.32% Village of Fultonville6 16.22% 10 37 100% 8 Village of Montgomery 6 Fultonville Co. (other 4 than above) Other 2 0 Montgomery Other Town of Town of Village of Village of Co. Glen Mohawk Fonda Fultonville Village of Town of (other Fonda Glen than Town of above) Mohawk Community Affiliation County or State employee7 18.92% Did Not Respond1 2.70% Local Business owner5 13.51% other 3 8.11% Village or Town citizen15 40.54% Village or Town elected official4 10.81% Village or Town employee2 5.41% 16 37 100% 14 12 Village orVillage or County or 10 Town Town State 8 6 elected employee employee 4 official Did Not 2 Respond 0 County Did Not Local other Village Village Village Local or State RespondBusiness or or or Business employee owner Town Town Town Village or owner citizen elected employee Town official citizen other Mid-Montgomery County Local Waterfront Redevelopment Plan
ConceptConcept MappingMapping ProjectProject ResultsResults OctoberOctober 20072007
J:\27045\Reports\concept mapping\FINAL LWRP CM presentation Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project Waterfront
Environment Economic & Infrastructure Development
CONCEPT MAPPING
Government Information Policies Communication
Community Aesthetics
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Concept Mapping
Uses information from individuals to:
• Identify group shared vision • Represent group ideas pictorially • Encourage teamwork • Facilitate group decision making
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
1 Features of the Concept Mapping System
• Involves many stakeholder groups throughout the planning process • Unlimited number of participants • Complete anonymity of participants • Uses state-of-the-art analytical tools to provide rigor and credibility
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Benefits of the Concept Mapping System
• The visual product is easy to understand and present • Can utilize large number of ideas & suggestions • Produces usable data for action steps and prioritization • Identifies disconnects before significant investments are made Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
2 Concept Mapping Process
Step 1 - Development of Prompt Statement “one action or priority that our community should undertake in order to improve the quality of life is ... Step 2 - Generation of Statements Step 3 - Rate & Sort of Statements Step 4 - Computation of Maps & Analysis Step 5 - Interpretation of Maps Step 6 - Utilization and Implementation
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Point Map
85 6 9 13 21 26 7 72 22 61 18 57 17 43 34 44 40 73 16 53 78 74 1 68 27 84 24 28 35 50 70 55 33 52 65 54 8 77 75 15 10 56 25 38 37 82 48 66 60 71 81 59 4 20 12 30 41 47 83 3 45 51 46 63 79 2 5 80 23 67 29 42 32 39 19 58 31 14 36 76 49 69 11 64 62 Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
3 20 Cluster Solution
6 9 85 14 13 13 21 18 26 72 22 5761 17 7 43 34 44 15 40 73 16 2 53 74 1 68 78 27 84 24 1 35 28 20 50 70 6 55 33 52 65 54 8 5 77 75 15 56 25 10 37 48 17 66 38 60 82 4 10 71 81 20 16 59 4 12 30 41 83 3 19 47 3 45 51 63 2 46 79 7 5 9 67 80 23 18 29 19 42 32 58 39 8 31 14 12 36 76 49 69 11 64 11 62
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
15 Cluster Solution
6 9 85 13 21 9 18 26 72 22 5761 17 7 43 34 44 10 40 73 16 2 53 74 1 68 78 27 84 24 1 35 28 15 50 70 5 55 33 52 65 54 8 4 77 75 15 56 25 10 37 48 12 66 38 60 82 71 81 20 11 59 4 12 30 41 3 7 14 47 3 83 45 51 63 2 46 79 5 67 80 23 13 29 19 42 632 58 39 31 14 36 76 49 8 69 64 11 62
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
4 10 Cluster Solution
6 9 85 13 21 18 26 72 22 5761 17 7 7 43 34 44 40 73 16 53 74 1 68 78 27 84 24 1 35 28 10 50 70 4 55 33 52 65 54 8 3 77 75 15 56 25 10 37 48 66 38 60 82 8 71 81 20 59 4 12 30 41 3 47 2 83 45 51 63 52 9 46 79 5 67 80 23 29 19 42 32 58 39 31 14 36 76 49 6 69 64 11 62
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
10 Cluster - Final Cluster Map
6 85 9 13 21 26 7 Boating 22 57 72 18 61 17 Environment 43 34 44 40 73 16 Amenities 53 1 68 78 27 74 Trails 84 35 24 28 55 50 Main 70 33 52 65 54 8 Street 77 75 15 25 10 56 82 38 37 48 66 60 71 81 59 4 20 Parks 12 41 83 30 47 51 3 45 63 2 46 79 5 67 80 23 58 39 29 Commercial & 42 32 19 14 Recreational Business Issues 49 36 76 31 64 Activities 11 69 Community 62 Attractions Improvements Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
5 Cluster Importance Rating
Boating
Environment Trails Main Amenities Street
Parks
Commercial & Community Business Issues Improvements
Recreational Attractions Activities
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Environment
Environment
4.08 16 clean up the 16 riverbanks 28 73 28 better flood control 1 73 cleaner water 3.49 8 1 cleaner environment 78 8 better safety & security 78 clean up & improve the 68 27 Canal Corp maintenance facility 68 better erosion control 27 install a barrier Feasibility between fairground racetrack and riverfront
1.32 1.39 3.69 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
6 Commercial / Business Issues
Commercial / Business Issues
4.08 59 increased local business development 38 stronger code enforcement of building 38 59 60 conditions 3 42 60 building facade 3.21 83 improvements 4 3 increased commercial 63 amenities along 51 Riverside Drive 42 additional restaurants
Feasibility 83 trees along Park Street 4 more trees along street from Fonda to fairgrounds 63 develop more housing units above businesses in downtown 1.32 51 cleaner race track 1.39 3.25 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Main Street
Main Street
4.08
10 10 better main street 70 amenities - plants, benches, trash bins 3.52 37 70 more events / festivals 56 37 add/develop a unique 77 element / appearance to the downtown 56 additional / better parking in downtown & along Feasibility waterfront 77 improve pedestrian usage & safety of highway bridges over river
1.32 1.39 3.81 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
7 Amenities
Amenities
4.08 35 benches along waterfront 15 improve signage on 35 Canal Way Trail to 15 businesses in Fultonville 3.45 84 84 winter sports and festivals 52 increased use of Fonda 52 fairgrounds for river access Feasibility
1.32 1.39 3.56 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Community Improvements
Community Improvements 32 additional places to shop 4.08 71 tours of the area & local amenities 5 community concession / office at Park Street 2 bus stop 71 32 79 wider sidewalks from 5 2 Fonda to fairgrounds 79 67 construct a community 2.74 31 67 building at Fireman's Park 31 more fast food 23 20 establishments 23 widen Riverside Drive 20 pedestrian bridge over rail line at east end of 76 rail line at east end of
Feasibility Fonda to fairgrounds 76 pave the race track
1.32 1.39 2.64 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
8 Attractions
Attractions
4.08
14 museum 36 water slides 64 build an indoor movie theater 49 build a drive-in theater 69 develop a water park 62 zoo
Feasibility 14 11 casino 36
64
1.81 49 69 11 62
1.32 1.39 1.83 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
17 increased access to river 7 canoe / kayak launch access 85 repair / improve existing boat Boating launches and dock areas 44 improve access to the river at the old Poplars Boating
4.08 40 fishing pier or decks 7 57 free-to-the-public boat launch site 17 85 9 improve existing dock facilities at 34 40 9 Canal Corp property 6 57 44 Canal Corp property 3.54 43 26 18 43 improve accessibility to/from 21 72 53 Canal Corp dock area 22 61 26 create easily accessible docking for transient boaters 13 6 boating events / derbies / regattas Feasibility 34 fishing derbies 53 tour boats along the river 21 provide fuel facilities for boaters 13 provide dockage for larger boats up to 200' 22 eliminate permit fees for boaters 61 provide pump-out facilities for 1.32 1.39 3.64 4.22 boaters Importance 18 build a boat launch at Cayadutta Creek 72 canoe & kayak races Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
9 Parks
Parks 4.08 30 additional fire pits / grills for picnics 82 restrooms 81 develop a park at 30 Cayadutta Creek 82 12 additional parks 66 campground with 81 12 amenities 2.95 25 steamboat rides 66 48 shuttle boats (taxis) 25 along river 48 Feasibility
1.32 1.39 3.13 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Recreational Activities
Recreational Activities
4.08 45 swings & playground equipment 47 better parks for kids 45 41 develop safe places to swim 29 basketball courts 47 19 volleyball court 41 39 life guards 2.82 29 46 create a beach(s) 19 39 46 80 Town pool 80 58 skateboard park 58 Feasibility
1.32 1.39 2.67 4.22 Importance Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
10 Trails
Trails
4.08 75 picnic areas 33 walking path 75 55 a boardwalk along river 33 74 better connection 55 3.36 between Canal Way Trail 74 24 54 and waterfront 50 65 54 develop a recreational trail on abandoned rail R.O.W. in Fonda 24 walking trail connecting to the Canal Way Trail
Feasibility 50 connect Canal Way Trail to Adirondack Scenic By- Way trail head 65 trail connections for Winter uses
1.32 1.39 3.61 4.22 Importance
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Cluster Importance Cluster Feasibility
4.5 4.5
Main Street Environment Boating Boating Main Street Trails Environment Amenities Amenities Trails Commercial / Business Issues Commercial / Business Issues Parks Parks Recreational Activities Recreational Activities Community Improvements Community Improvements
Attractions Attractions
1.3 1.3
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
11 Fonda Residence Importance Fultonville Residence Importance
4.5 4.5
Boating Environment Trails Amenities Main Street Boating Main Street Environment Trails Parks Commercial / Business Issues Amenities Commercial / Business Issues Parks Community Improvements Recreational Activities Recreational Activities Community Improvements
Attractions
Attractions
1.3 1.3
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Glen Residence Importance Mohawk Residence Importance
4.5 4.5
Main Street Environment Boating Main Street Environment Amenities Trails Trails Amenities Boating Commercial / Business Issues Commercial / Business Issues
Parks Parks Community Improvements Recreational Activities Community Improvements Recreational Activities
Attractions Attractions 1.3 1.3
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
12 Citizen Importance Elected Official Importance
4.5 4.5
Main Street Boating Main Street Environment Trails Amenities Environment Trails Amenities Boating Commercial / Business Issues Parks Parks Commercial / Business Issues
Community Improvements Recreational Activities
Community Improvements
Recreational Activities
Attractions Attractions
1.3 1.3
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
Citizen Importance Business Owner Importance
4.5 4.5
Environment Main Street Main Street Environment Boating Amenities Trails Trails Amenities Boating Commercial / Business Issues Parks Commercial / Business Issues Parks Community Improvements
Recreational Activities Recreational Activities
Community Improvements
Attractions
Attractions
1.3 1.3
Mid-Montgomery County LWRP Concept Mapping Project
13