Cohoes C.O.R.E: On The Move City of Cohoes Downtown Revitalization Initiative APPLICATION June 2017 4 2017 Choose Cohoes Cohoes Opportunity for Revitalization & Environmental Sustainability (C.O.R.E) 2017 Choose Cohoes 5 Table of Contents “Given what Cohoes officials, stakeholders and authorities have been able to achieve with a limited budget and resources, imagine what Cohoes can accomplish with the same attitude but additional support.” , -D. Jacques Cohoes LDC 6 2017 Choose Cohoes Cohoes Opportunity for Revitalization & Environmental Sustainability (C.O.R.E) Table of Contents Basic Information Vision Justification Overview of the Downtown 1. Boundaries of the Downtown Neighborhood 2. Catchment Area 3. Past Investment and Future Investment Potential 4. Job Growth 5. Attractiveness of Physical Environment 6. Quality of Life Policies 7. Support for the Local Vision 8. Readiness 9. Administrative Capacity 10. Other Appendix A: Resolution & Common Council Public Hearings Meeting Agenda Appendix B: State of the City Appendix C: Letters of Support Appendix D: News Articles Appendix E: Data Book 2017 Choose Cohoes 7 C.O.R.E “BBC chose Cohoes because it is rich in history, very centrally located, and has many old and historically significant buildings. In our opinion, Remsen Street is potentially the best “Main Street” in the Capital District. We feel the best is yet to come for the City of Cohoes” - Paul Bonacquisti, BBC 8 2017 Choose Cohoes Cohoes Opportunity for Revitalization & Environmental Sustainability (C.O.R.E) Basic Information Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Region: Capital District. Municipality Name: City of Cohoes. Downtown Name: Cohoes Opportunity for Revitalization & Environmental Sustainability (C.O.R.E). County: Albany County. Vision For Downtown In last year’s application we were in the process Our people want Cohoes to be “A quality of life city”, of updating our comprehensive plan and about to returning to an All-America status once realized in begin the public input process through the 1970’s. A city where you can safely raise a presentations, round tables and the like. So we used family, find balance between work and the rest of the vision crafted as part of the Brownfield your life, a walkable downtown with diverse Opportunity Area designation process. We were products and services close to home. Recreational hopeful that the reality previously defined might be and cultural activities for adults and children alike. a reflection of reality the way our stakeholders now A city that once again embraces its waterfront and want it to be. Here we are a year later, a new makes it accessible for families to reconnect with its comprehensive plan, hundreds of suggestions, ideas beau- ty and history. And most important a city and wishes from all corners of our city. Our vision is where all are welcome and diversity is celebrated now current, sup- ported and implementable. It is not feared. To live and grow in this environment our now up to us to stay the course and deliver. Below is people are happy to travel to our nearby major a synopsis of what we learned: employment centers knowing that they don’t have far to go to return home to a human scale and far As the saying goes, “If you don’t know where you more personal city. are going, any road can take you there” (Lewis Carroll). Visioning for our City began when our new And so our journey began in earnest to achieve this Mayor and Council took their seats and it became rich vision and we are hopeful that once you digest job one to design a clear road map with a defined our application you will see what we see and destination, rooted in a reality defined by our ultimately feel what we feel. population and business community and an implementation architecture designed to get us there. After collecting the data, researching our rich history (to determine how and why we are where we are), and scores of roundtables, focus groups and informal conversations’ with countless stakeholders the vision became quite clear. 2017 Choose Cohoes 9 Justification - Cohoes on the Move The City of Cohoes’ identity is strongly linked to in partnership with local government to keep its historical Erie Canal roots and industrial moving the City forward. People are drawn to heritage. Cohoes was once considered the most Cohoes because of its outstanding quality of life. technologically innovative community of its time. They enjoy its scale which gives it a “community As outlined in the Cohoes Brownfield feel” while also offering many of the services and Opportunity Area (BOA), the “Historic Central amenities of a larger city. Cohoes’ 16-hour Business District of Cohoes supports both City and downtown is alive with restaurants that reflect regional residents. A highly patriotic area, Cohoes the City’s diverse population, locally owned is known for its important role in the formative shops and quality cultural venues that attract years of our Country. Today, the Historic Business new residents, and draw visitors from around District functions as a meeting place for all ages, the region. Cohoes’ downtown is a safe, vibrant providing a mix of retail and services as well as and a desirable place to start a business, raise a year-round cultural events. The mighty Mohawk family, access outstanding entertainment and River and serene beauty of the Hudson River are arts and learn more about the nation’s’ industrial in earshot of our shopping district, inviting the heritage. Cohoes has a business ready downtown visitor to walk and explore. Only minutes from bolstered with a policy of partnership that downtown Albany and centrally located in the welcomes and supports new, fresh ideas and the Capital District, our Historic Business District entrepreneurial spirit. The City of Cohoes is the provides visitors, merchants and residents with a most innovative, dynamic, historically significant, unique opportunity to experience our nation’s unique four square mile powerhouse of economic heritage in a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.” revitalization in the Capital Region. The time has come for this community to attain the financial This is still true today, as emphasized in the boost it needs to propel forward, and realize its establishment of the City’s “Cohoes Opportunity C.O.R.E Downtown Revitalization. The stellar for Revitalization and Environmental success of the reopening of Cohoes Music Hall Sustainability (C.O.R.E.)” District. Cohoes is on this year is one of several examples that showcase the move toward an economical, and the Downtown’s readiness to reach its potential. environmentally sustainable future. Cohoes While one may still see some empty storefronts, leads as a City that will innovate to achieve its underutilized lots, sidewalks that need rebuilding vision to grow housing diversity; to build a and fine historic housing ready to be restored, dynamic local economy with mixed-use these are truly the key opportunities that when development centers; to offer multimodal invested in - will lead the City to realize its full transportation options; to reimagine its seven potential. miles of waterfront; and to increase access to outstanding local recreational opportunities. Cohoes’ downtown revitalization is seeded, and Together, Cohoes will celebrate and share with has begun to sprout. Poised and ready, Cohoes the world its history while offering quality 21st will soon achieve its long envisioned position as century amenities downtown such as Wi-Fi hot the premier quality of life community of the spots, solar street lights and electric vehicle Capital Region. charging stations. The City of Cohoes exercises a multi-pronged The C.O.R.E. is a regional model for a vibrant and approach, with projects in the pipeline ready to sustainable downtown where citizens work 10 2017 Choose Cohoes Cohoes Opportunity for Revitalization & Environmental Sustainability (C.O.R.E) move forward. The City has the political will and initiative. The goal of this request for funding is to public support that maximizes the City’s capacity to position resources that will advance Cohoes’ already administer its carefully selected and vetted initiatives, momentous downtown revitalization into overdrive. and proven record of project implementation. This The time has come to Choose Cohoes! is a community that does not wait for opportunity to arrive at its door, but takes initiative seeking the opportunities and investors that bring the most value to the City. This is a City that builds partnerships and uses innovative planning approaches to realize its objectives - and that sees its projects through to completion. Cohoes is both project ready and shovel ready. The story of Cohoes’ strategic revitalization will paint a compelling picture that demonstrates the dynamism and pride of this community that, with partner support, will realize its vision and see the fruits of its sophisticated, and in our opinion, award winning, downtown economic revitalization planning 2017 Choose Cohoes 11 Overview of the Downtown Cohoes Opportunity for Revitalization & Environmental Sustainability (C.O.R.E.) District Cohoes is coming alive. Situated at the place. One of the lowest crime rates in the Capital confluence of two magnificent rivers and at the Region. You can walk to the waterfront. foot of one of New York States finest, beloved waterfalls. Cohoes organically evolved from is The selected C.O.R.E. District is the heart of early industrial, canal roots to be the compact, Cohoes and will be a catalyst for both the Capital aesthetically beautiful place it is today. Cohoes’ Region and the State, as current and future historic integrity paired with new, independently investments in the District continue to fuel owned businesses, a rapidly expanding range of change. Cohoes is a diverse, safe and desirable housing options, entertainment offerings, new place to start a business, raise a family, access and redesigned parks, rebuilt sidewalks, the first class recreational resources and learn more making of its first Complete Street, the about our State’s industrial and canal heritage.