Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Action Plan Cortland,

healthy waters - healthy communities

September 2015 Acknowledgments This project was made possible by a Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Technical Assistance Grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Skeo Solutions provided technical consulting services, and recommendations were developed by the action plan work group members listed below.

Tioughnioga Urban Headwaters Action Plan Work Group • Mack Cook, Director Administration and Finance, City of Cortland • Chris Bistochi, Public Works Director, City of Cortland • Nick Dovi, Facilities Director, Department of Public Works, City of Cortland • Bruce Adams, Director of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations, City of Cortland • Amanda Barber, District Manager, Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District • Kathleen Bertuch, Environmental Management Program, Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board

For more information about this project, including additional detail regarding the potential funding sources, application timing and eligibility requirements, please visit: www.walkablewatershed.com/cortland/ I n t r o d u c t i o n

VILLAGE OF HOMER Background

The City of Cortland (pop. 19,059) is located within the Tioughnioga River Watershed, a subwatershed of the and Chesapeake Bay. Historically, the Tioughnioga River has played an important role in supporting

Route 13

Route 11 Cortland’s industrial economy. However, this industrial past has left a legacy

West Branch Tioughnioga River TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE CITY OF CORTLAND of impervious surfaces that limit community access to the river and degrade

I-81 the Tioughnioga River with urban stormwater runoff and contaminants. Today,

Tioughnioga River

West Branch I-81 KeyCortland leaders recognize that with several strategic investments, the river GATEWAY Municipal Boundary Dry Creek couldStreams be a significant recreational asset and improve the quality of life for the

Clinton Ave. Roads localInterstate Highwaycommunity and Downtown area. Cortland and partner jurisdictions are Otter Creek Flood Zones DOWNTOWN pursuing500-Year Flood Plain streetscape and river access improvements along street corridors

Main St. Main Port Watson 100-Year Flood Plain SUNY Floodway CORTLAND that parallel and intersect with the West Branch of the Tioughnioga River.

0 0.25 0.5 Miles Action Plan Objectives Overview • Identify green infrastructure With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the City of technologies to store, treat and Cortland has developed the Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Action infiltrate stormwater runoff Plan to improve local stewardship, advance watershed restoration goals and reduce impacts to the and leverage the river’s scenic and recreational assets. The Action Plan Tioughnioga River. outlines specific opportunities to integrate green infrastructure into street • Coordinate green infrastructure improvements and other investments to enhance the Downtown experience, opportunities with transportation reconnect the Downtown to the river, and improve water quality for the and corridor investments. Tioughnioga River. Cortland and regional partners are using this action • Develop an action plan to plan to guide decision-making regarding significant near-term green guide design, funding and infrastructure capital improvements in Cortland. With the leadership of the implementation. project’s work group and regional partners, this effort will also build regional capacity throughout the Tioughnioga River Watershed to implement green • Build capacity across jurisdictions infrastructure projects and improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay to advance green infrastructure Watershed. solutions in the watershed.

From left to right: North Main Street looking south; confluence of Dry Creek and the West Branch Tioughnioga River; Tioughnioga River public boat ramp at Cortland’s Yaman Park.

Skeo Solutions | Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Green Infrastructure Action Plan 3 C o n c e p t P l a n O v e r v i e w

Approach This action plan is based on a walkable watershed approach, which integrates the flow of water and people into a cohesive strategy to improve the overall health of a community and the surrounding watershed. The concept is based on the idea that high-quality water goes hand-in-hand with a high quality of life, supporting access to the outdoors, enhanced community infrastructure and services, and increased health. There are a range of nationally recognized natural drainage strategies designed to improve the flow and quality of urban rainwater and also provide community benefits. These natural drainage strategies use plants and amended soil to slow, cleanse and absorb urban rainwater before it reaches creeks, rivers, lakes and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. These strategies also provide community benefits including shade, landscaped areas, education and traffic calming.

A general overview of strategies for integrating stormwater improvements and walkability are described below and site specific recommendations are identified on the concept map (to right) and on the following pages.

Strategies

On-Street Stormwater Flows – include natural drainage strategies integrated into streetscape and infrastructure design to improve walkability and stormwater management. These green, complete streets: • Enable safe access for all users (including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists Example of on-street natural drainage in and transit riders of all ages and abilities) Portland, Oregon. Credit: ASLA. • Enhance water quality by cleaning stormwater runoff • Provide safe pedestrian crossings

Safe Crossings – integrate stormwater infiltration and traffic calming measures at strategic intersections, mid-block crossing points and greenway access points.

Off-Street Stormwater Flows – include locating rain gardens or swales adjacent to parking lots, trails and other paved areas to capture unmanaged stormwater runoff.

Trails and Greenways – improve pedestrian and bicycle access to waterways and open space areas.

Example of off-street natural drainage in Education and Stewardship – opportunities integrated into environmental Charlottesville, Virginia. Credit: CWP. education signage, public art exhibits located at greenway access points.

4 TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE

CITY OF CORTLAND C o n c e p t P l a n

r

ve i Kennedy Pkwy R

a g o i Route 13 n h Yaman g

Route 11 Route u o Park i I-81 T ch Dry Creek n West B a 6 r Riverside B ra t n 5 Plaza s ch Tioug Cortland a E Otter Creek Park * * 4 Hampton Apts 7 h Inn n * * io River St. g * a R Arthur Ave. iv er Rickard St. Suggett Grant St. Park

N. Church St.

3 Clinton Ave.1

n n n n n n

Susquehanna & Western Railway

w wn w w w w w w w w w w wn

Pomeroy Ave. Pomeroy

ow ow Main St. Main Elm St. Dexter

Park

ntow ntown ntown 6

Groton Ave. 2

w w wn w w w w wn w w wn w w w

w Central Ave.

ow o ow ow o o ow ow o o N

Courthouse

D D D D D D D D Do Do Do Do D Court St. Do Park River St. River 0 2000 Feet Tioughnioga River Opportunities Port Watson St.

On-Street Stormwater + Safe Crossing Off-Street Stormwater Primary Streets Planted buffers and biorention Secondary Streets * Opportunities Map On-StreetSafe Opportunities Intersections Safe Crossings Specific Recommendations (see page 8) Tioughnioga Urban Headwaters Primary Intersections Mid-block Crossing 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 Mid-block Crossing 4 Green Infrastructure –¯ Rain Garden Feet Action Plan - Cortland, NY SecondaryGreenway Access Greenway Access 5 Green Infrastructure – Parking Lot Retrofit Off-Street Stormwater Flows Trails and Greenways 6 Specific Recommendations(see pages 6-7) Planted buffers and biorention Potential Greenway SystemTrails and Greenways Potential On-Street Greenway System *1 Clinton Avenue Potential Greenway System 2 Downtown Gateway Potential On-Street Greenway System 3 Main Street mid-block crossing Specific Recommendations (see page 9)

6 Greenway Trail System 7 Greenway Green Infrastructure

Watershed Education Specific recommendations are included on page 10.

Skeo Solutions | Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Green Infrastructure Action Plan 5 TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE

CITY OF CORTLAND

r

ve i Kennedy Pkwy R

a g o i Route 13 n h Yaman g

Route 11 Route u o Park i I-81 T ch Dry Creek n West B a 6 r Riverside B n t r e e t p p o r t u n i t i e s ra t O -S O n 5 Plaza s ch Tioug Cortland a E Otter Creek Park * * 4 Hampton Apts 7 h Inn n * * 1 io River St. Clinton Avenue g * a R Arthur Ave. iv er Rickard St. Current Conditions Suggett Grant St. Park • Sidewalks on both sides of the street. N. Church St. 3 Clinton Ave.1

• Narrow planting strip.

n n n n n n • Parking on both sides of street in designated areas.

Susquehanna & Western Railway

w wn w w w w w w w w w w wn

Pomeroy Ave. Pomeroy

ow ow Main St. Main Existing Plans Elm St. Dexter

Park

ntow ntown ntown 6

Through the Clinton Avenue Corridor EnhancementsGroton Ave. 2

w w wn w w w w wn w w wn w w w

Plan (2012), the City initiated a streetscape enhancement w Central Ave.

ow o ow ow o o ow ow o initiative focused on Clinton Avenue and Northeast o

Gateway. The plan includes: Courthouse

D D D D D D D D Do Do Do Do D

Court St. Do Park River St. River • Public visioning and design process Tioughnioga River • Community goals for the corridor Port Watson St. • Streetscape enhancement options

The preferred Design Option: • Two travel lanes On-Street Opportunities Safe Crossings • Two bicycle lanes Opportunities Map Tioughnioga Urban Headwaters Primary Intersections Mid-block Crossing 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 Clinton Avenue Corridor Enhancements Preferred Alternative (2012) ¯ Feet • Parking on north side Action Plan - Cortland, NY Secondary Greenway Access Off-Street Stormwater Flows Trails and Greenways 6 Potential Opportunities Planted buffers and biorention Potential Greenway System Potential On-Street Greenway System • Integrate bike lanes on either side of the street. * • Add planted sidewalk bump-outs / curb extensions to increase pedestrian safety and reduce stormwater runoff. Bump-outs could alternate with on-street parking as needed.

8'-0" 5'-0" 10'-0" 10'-0" 5'-0" PARKING BIKE DRIVE DRIVE BIKE LANE LANE LANE LANE 38'-0" STREET CHAPTER 2: GREEN STREET STORMWATER MANAGEMENTWIDTH PRACTICES

58'-0" PUBLIC Figure 2.2: Three-Dimensional View of a Stormwater Bump-out RIGHT-OF-WAY

STREET RETROFIT PLAN AND SECTION B Example of how bikes lanes on either side of the street can be integrated with stormwater bump-outs and on-street parking as needed.

Mid-block Stormwater Bump-outSource: City of Philadelphia Green Streets Design Manual Corner Stormwater Bump-out Examples of stormwater bump-outs.

6

SCALE: 1" = 10'-0"

RICHMOND - DRAFT STREET SECTIONS

Green Streets Design Manual 27 O n -S t r e e t O p p o r t u n i t i e s

2 Downtown Gateway Current Conditions • Sidewalks on both sides of the street. • Lack of planting strip or street trees. • On-street parking on alternate sides of the street.

Potential Opportunities Looking west at intersection of Clinton Avenue and North Main Street. • Enhance downtown gateway aesthetics and pedestrian amenities. • Explore opportunities for planting strip, and curb extensions as part of Route 11/N. Main Street traffic study. • Consider planting strips between curb and sidewalk to infiltrate runoff from street and sidewalk.

Curb extension diagram. Example of bioretention planting strip.

3 Main Street Mid-Block Crossing Current Conditions • Pedestrian crossing at St. Mary’s School (61 N. Main St.) • Two diagonal cross-walks link parking to school entrance and bus stop. • Persistent on-street stormwater ponding. Potential Opportunities • Integrate curb retrofit and cross-walk plaza with crosswalk to capture stormwater and improve pedestrian safety. • Consider promoting pilot demonstration project.

Curb extension and crosswalk diagram. Example of curb extension and safe crossing.

Skeo Solutions | Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Green Infrastructure Action Plan 7 TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE O f f -S t r e e t O p p o r t u n i t i eCITYs OF CORTLAND

4 Rain Garden r

ve i Kennedy Pkwy R

a g o Current Conditions Potential Opportunities i Route 13 n h Yaman g

Route 11 Route u • City has option to lease vacant land at northeast corner • Locate rain o I-81 Park i I-81 T of Clinton Avenue/Route 13 gateway intersection. garden on ch Dry Creek n West B a 6 r • Existing stormwater catch basin on Route 13 is located vacant land or Riverside B t ra Route 13 n 5 Plaza s ch Tioug Cortland a above grade from vacant land. public right-of- E Otter Creek Park * * 4 Hampton • Gateway aesthetic enhancements are planned for Apts way to capture 7 h Inn n * * io River St. g * vacant land and public right-of-way. a runoff from R Arthur Ave. iv erRouteRickard St.13. Suggett Grant St. Clinton Ave. Park

N. Church St.

3 Clinton Ave.1

n n n n n n

Susquehanna & Western Railway

w wn w w w w w w w w w w wn

Pomeroy Ave. Pomeroy

ow ow Main St. Main Elm St. Dexter

Park

ntow ntown ntown 6

Groton Ave. 2

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w Central Ave.

o ow o ow ow o o ow ow o

Courthouse

D D D D D D D D Do Do Do Do D

Court St. Do Park River St. River

Tioughnioga River Port Watson St. 5 Parking Lot Retrofit

Current Conditions On-Street Opportunities Safe Crossings Opportunities Map TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE Tioughnioga Urban Headwaters Primary Intersections Mid-block Crossing 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 • Large parking lot located adjacent to river. ¯ Feet • SurfaceAction runoff Plan - Cortland,drains to NY river. Secondary GreenwayCITY Access OF CORTLAND • River visible from parking lot and topOff-Street of river Stormwater Flows Trails and Greenways 6

r

Planted buffers and biorention Potential Greenway System Potential On-Street Greenway System ve bank suitable for trail. i Kennedy Pkwy R

a g * o i Route 13 n h Yaman g

Route 11 Route u o Park i Potential Opportunities T I-81 ch Dry Creek n West B a • Locate infiltration islands in parking lot to capture and clean parking runoff6 before r Riverside B ra t n 5 Plaza s ch Tioug Cortland a entering the river. E Otter Creek Park * * 4 Hampton Apts 7 h Inn • Add bioswales and riparian vegetation along proposed greenway trail adjacentn to * * io River St. g * a parking lot. R Arthur Ave. iv er Rickard St. Suggett Grant St. Park

N. Church St.

3 Clinton Ave.1

n n n n n n

Susquehanna & Western Railway

w wn w w w w w w w w w w wn

Pomeroy Ave. Pomeroy

ow ow Main St. Main Elm St. Dexter

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Groton Ave. 2

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w Central Ave.

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Courthouse

D D D D D D D D Do Do Do Do D

Court St. Do Park River St. River

Tioughnioga River Port Watson St. Vegetated swale at Costco parking lot A sample bioretention cell or rain garden. Parking lot infiltration island. Photo courtesy of The Photo courtesy of Sue Donaldson. Photo courtesy of WSSI Inc. Watershed Company.

On-Street Opportunities Safe Crossings 8 Opportunities Map Tioughnioga Urban Headwaters Primary Intersections Mid-block Crossing 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 ¯ Feet Action Plan - Cortland, NY Secondary Greenway Access Off-Street Stormwater Flows Trails and Greenways 6 * Planted buffers and biorention Potential Greenway System Potential On-Street Greenway System T r a i l s a n d G r e e n ways

6 Greenway Trail System Potential Trails A. West Branch Greenway Parallels the West Branch to improve recreational access from downtown.

B. Yaman Park Connector 7 Connects River Street and park using Lehigh Valley Rail Line as trail connection. C. Dexter Park Connector Extends West Branch greenway south along the Tioughnioga River City right- of-way. D. On Street System Extends greenway system along Elm St., Main St. and Grant St. sidewalks to provide a loop that connects destinations. Potential Greenway System Potential On-Street Greenway Potential Greenway Access Potential Trail Types

Creek side paved trail On street trail Cross creek connection http://www.bradfordassocri.com http://familyride.us/ http://www.matternandcraig.com/

7 Greenway Green Infrastructure Current Conditions • City right-of-way at River Street connects to West Branch and I-81 underpass. • Includes gravel access road and utility corridor.

Potential Opportunities • Integrate stormwater management strategies, such as bioswales with greenway trails. • Bioswales along greenway trail manage and infiltrate runoff from street to West Branch and minimize runoff from trail surface. • Integrate environmental education signage into trailheads.

Skeo Solutions | Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Green Infrastructure Action Plan 9 A c t i o n P l a n The table below lists action items to advance the opportunities identified in the concept plan, along with potential partners and funding sources. Action Partners Potential Funding Sources On-Street Stormwater 1 | Clinton Avenue (Route 13 to Church Street intersections) Cortland Dept. of Public Works NY Environmental Facilities • Develop engineering and design plans for stormwater (DPW) Corp. (EFC): infiltration in coordination with storm sewer and streetscape NY Dept. of Transportation • Clean Water Loan Program upgrades. (NYSDOT) • Green Innovation Grants • Evaluate long-term maintenance options for stormwater NY Dept. of Environmental National Fish and Wildlife infiltration features based on local precedents (Oswego, NY) Conservation (NYSDEC) Foundation (NFWF): • Build coalition of partners to support project. Cortland County Soil and • Innovative Nutrient and Water Conservation District Sediment Reduction Grant (CSWCD) Elected officials Residents and business owners 2 | Downtown Gateway (Clinton Ave: Church St. to Main St.) Cortland DPW NYSDOT • Coordinate opportunities with future Bike and Pedestrian Plan Cortland Bike and Pedestrian • Surface transportation and Main St. Traffic Study. Committee enhancement grants • Promote education to employers about bike-to-work incentives. Downtown Partnership • Evaluate Route 11 / N. Main intersection during Main Street Traffic Study. 3 | Mid-Block Crossing (St. Mary’s School, 61 N. Main Street) Cortland DPW Art Council • Discuss options with St. Mary’s School for safe crossing with St. Mary’s School EFC stormwater, flood mitigation and education benefits. Downtown Partnership • Green Innovation Grants • Pursue design and construction of pilot project if funding is NYSDOT NFWF available in near-term. • Innovative Nutrient and • Promote public education of pilot. Sediment Reduction Grant

Off-Street Stormwater 4 | Rain Garden (Route 13 / Clinton Ave.) Cortland DPW EFC • Evaluate options for purchasing the property. CSWCD • Green Innovation Grants • Consider design options given lot elevation, stormwater flows NYSDOT Program and proposed gateway treatments. NYSDEC • Clean Water Loan Program • Develop engineering and design plans for rain garden NFWF consistent with gateway. • Innovative Nutrient & Sediment Reduction Grant 5 | Parking Lot Retrofit (Riverside Plaza) Riverside Plaza (owners) EFC • Discuss natural drainage and trail options with property owner. Cortland County Business • Green Innovation Grants • Consider phasing design and construction: Development Corp. NFWF 1. Riparian area infiltration swales and vegetation (near-term); Cortland DPW • Innovative Nutrient & 2. Parking lot infiltration islands (long-term). CSWCD Sediment Reduction Grant Greenway Trail System 6-7 |Greenway Trail System/Green Infrastructure Cortland DPW NYSDEC Parks and Trails, • Coordinate proposed trail connection to Yaman Park with DOT Town of Cortlandville NFWF viaduct alignment. NYSDOT • Innovative Nutrient and • Phase greenway development by segments – (1) Yaman Park, (2) NYSDEC Sediment Reduction Grant Route 13 to Yaman Park Connector, (3) Grange to Rickard. Watershed Education Cortland County SWCD, Arts Council • Identify watershed education opportunities (rain barrels, St. Mary’s School NFWF signage, mural, downtown initiatives). Living History Center • Technical Capacity Grant • Discuss demonstration projects with Living History Center.

10 A c t i o n P l a n

r e v i Kennedy Pkwy R a g o i Route 13 n h Yaman g u o Park i T I-81 h c n W a es r t Br Riverside B a t n 6 Plaza s ch Ti Cortland a E o Park 5 Hampton ug * * Apts 7 h Inn n * * io Rive ga * r St. R iver Rickard St. Grant St.

N. Church St. 4 3 Clinton Ave.1

Susquehanna & Western Railway

Pomeroy Ave. Pomeroy Main St. Main Elm St. Dexter

Park

ntown iver St. iver

2 R Central Ave.

o N Courthouse

D Park Court St. 0 2000 Feet Opportunities

On-Street Stormwater + Safe Crossing Off-Street Stormwater Primary Streets Planted buffers and biorention Secondary Streets * Safe Intersections Specific Recommendations (see page 8) Mid-block Crossing 4 Green Infrastructure – Rain Garden Greenway Access 5 Green Infrastructure – Parking Lot Retrofit Specific Recommendations(see pages 6-7) Trails and Greenways 1 Clinton Avenue Potential Greenway System 2 Downtown Gateway Potential On-Street Greenway System 3 Main Street mid-block crossing Specific Recommendations (see page 9)

6 Greenway Trail System 7 Greenway Green Infrastructure

Watershed Education Specific recommendations are included on page 10.

Skeo Solutions | Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Green Infrastructure Action Plan 11 The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.