Van Schaick Island Transportation and Revitalization Plan Final Report May 2008 Prepared for: Capital District Transportation Committee Prepared by: Van Schaick Island Transportation and Revitalization Plan Final Report May 2008 Acknowledgements/SAC Mayor John T. McDonald, III – City of Cohoes Melissa Ashline-Heil – City of Cohoes Edward Tremblay – City of Cohoes Mark Defruscio – City of Cohoes James Weir – City of Cohoes Jason Purvis – Capital District Transportation Committee Susan Olsen – New York State Department of Transportation Michael Wyatt – New York State Department of Transportation David Gehrs – Capital District Transportation Authority Michael Francini – Albany County All the members of the Van Schaick Island and Simmons Island communities, as well as Common Council Members, that participated in the public workshops. Creighton Manning Engineering | Kise Straw & Kolodner Page ii Van Schaick Island Transportation and Revitalization Plan Final Report May 2008 Table of Contents Page Title Page........................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ ii Table of Contents...........................................................................................................iii List of Figures .................................................................................................................v List of Tables ..................................................................................................................v List of Appendices...........................................................................................................v Executive Summary ........................................................................................................vi I. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 1 A. Overview.............................................................................................................. 1 B. Study Area & Regional Setting .............................................................................. 1 C. History & Relevant Efforts .................................................................................... 3 D. Study Goals ......................................................................................................... 3 E. Approach............................................................................................................. 3 II. Existing Conditions................................................................................................... 4 A. General Environment ........................................................................................... 4 1. Zoning............................................................................................................ 4 2. Land Use ........................................................................................................ 6 3. Historic Character and Institutions.................................................................. 7 4. Recreation ...................................................................................................... 7 5. Projects Approved/Under Construction........................................................... 8 6. Gateways...................................................................................................... 10 7. The Streetscape ............................................................................................ 10 8. Environmental Constraints............................................................................ 11 B. Transportation................................................................................................... 11 1. Traffic Conditions and Operations ................................................................ 11 2. Primary Intersections .................................................................................... 11 3. Traffic Volumes ............................................................................................ 12 4. Pedestrian Accommodations......................................................................... 13 5. Bicycle Accommodations .............................................................................. 13 6. Transit.......................................................................................................... 14 C. Island Positives .................................................................................................. 16 D. Public Comments – Workshop #1 ....................................................................... 16 III. Land Use Alternatives.............................................................................................. 17 A. Development Alternative 1................................................................................. 18 B. Development Alternative 2................................................................................. 20 C. Development Alternative 3................................................................................. 22 IV. Transportation Plans............................................................................................... 27 A. Governing Principles .......................................................................................... 27 B. Transportation Management Plan....................................................................... 27 Creighton Manning Engineering | Kise Straw & Kolodner Page iii Van Schaick Island Transportation and Revitalization Plan Final Report May 2008 C. Multi-Modal/Transit Plan.................................................................................... 34 1. Bicycle Accommodations .............................................................................. 34 2. Transit.......................................................................................................... 36 3. Pedestrian Accommodations......................................................................... 38 D. Enhancing Island Positives ................................................................................. 38 E. Public Comments – Workshop #2 ....................................................................... 39 V. Implementation....................................................................................................... 40 A. Costs ................................................................................................................. 40 B. Financing........................................................................................................... 41 C. Timing............................................................................................................... 42 VI. Environmental Justice.............................................................................................. 42 VII. Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 43 Creighton Manning Engineering | Kise Straw & Kolodner Page iv Van Schaick Island Transportation and Revitalization Plan Final Report May 2008 List of Figures Page Figure I.1 – Study Area ...................................................................................................2 Figure II.1 – Existing Zoning (updated in 2006) ..............................................................5 Figure II.2 – Current Projects ..........................................................................................9 Figure II.3 – Regional Bike-Hike Trails...........................................................................15 Figure III.1 – Development Alternative 1 .......................................................................19 Figure III.2 – Development Alternative 2 .......................................................................21 Figure III.3 – Development Alternative 3 .......................................................................24 Figure III.4 – Eastbound Ontario Street Before & After...................................................25 Figure III.5 – Westbound Ontario Street Before & After..................................................26 Figure IV.1 – Area-Wide Transportation Improvements..................................................32 Figure IV.2 – Corridor-Specific Transportation Improvements .......................................33 Figure IV.3 – Proposed Bicycle Route ............................................................................35 Figure IV.4 – Potential Transit Routes ...........................................................................37 List of Tables Table V.1 – Recommendations and Costs .....................................................................41 List of Appendices Appendix A........................................................................ Public Workshop Summaries Appendix B ......................................................................... CDTC Environmental Justice Creighton Manning Engineering | Kise Straw & Kolodner Page v Van Schaick Island Transportation and Revitalization Plan Final Report May 2008 Executive Summary The City of Cohoes and the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) are sponsoring the development of a Van Schaick Island Transportation and Revitalization Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to ensure that growth along Ontario Street reflects the vision for