NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK ROBERT MOSES PARKWAY-SOUTH SEGMENT-“RIVERWAY” FINAL DESIGN REPORT/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Prepared on Behalf of: NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ANDREW M CUOMO, Governor ROSE HARVEY Commissioner MARK THOMAS, Western District Director January 29, 2014 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Robert Moses Parkway South Segment “Riverway” Final Design Report/Environmental Assessment NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ROBERT MOSES PARKWAY SOUTH SEGMENT/”RIVERWAY” FINAL DESIGN REPORT/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PIN 5410.54 Prepared by: Hatch Mott MacDonald In Association with: Alta Planning + Design Heritage Landscapes Saratoga Associates The Urban Design Project Watts Architecture & Engineering Panamerican Consultants Fisher Associates JANUARY 29, 2014 In partnership with: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration City of Niagara Falls, New York New York State Department of USA Niagara Development Transportation Corporation PR253346, Rev. 6 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Robert Moses Parkway South Segment “Riverway” Final Design Report/Environmental Assessment THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK PR253346, Rev. 6 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Robert Moses Parkway South Segment “Riverway” Final Design Report/Environmental Assessment THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK PR253346, Rev. 6 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Robert Moses Parkway South Segment “Riverway” Final Design Report/Environmental Assessment THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK PR253346, Rev. 6 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Robert Moses Parkway South Segment “Riverway” Final Design Report/Environmental Assessment Table of Contents 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...............................................................................................................................1-1 1.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need .....................................................................................................................................1-2 1.2.1 Where is the Project Located ......................................................................................................1-2 1.2.2 Why is the Project Needed .........................................................................................................1-3 1.2.3 What are the Objectives/Purposes of the Project ........................................................................1-3 1.3 What Alternatives are Being Considered ..................................................................................................1-5 1.4 How will the Alternatives Affect the Environment ..................................................................................1-5 1.5 What are the Costs and Schedules ............................................................................................................1-8 1.6 Which Alternative is Preferred .................................................................................................................1-9 1.7 Who Will Decide Which Alternative will be Selected and How Can I be Involved in this Decision ..................................................................................................................................................1-11 2 PROJECT CONTEXT: HISTORY, PLANS, CONDITIONS AND NEEDS ..............................................2-1 2.1 History and Historical Design Considerations ..........................................................................................2-1 2.1.1 Park History and its Premise as the Basis of Design ..................................................................2-1 2.1.2 Project History............................................................................................................................2-3 2.1.3 Historic Site Needs .....................................................................................................................2-3 2.2 Transportation Plans and Roadway Conditions ........................................................................................2-4 2.2.1 Local Plans for the Project Area .................................................................................................2-4 2.2.2 Transportation Corridor ..............................................................................................................2-4 2.2.3 Operations (Traffic and Safety) and Maintenance ......................................................................2-5 2.2.4 Infrastructure ..............................................................................................................................2-9 2.2.5 Miscellaneous ...........................................................................................................................2-12 2.2.6 Transportation Needs ...............................................................................................................2-12 2.3 Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Trolley Path Considerations ............................................................................2-12 2.3.1 Pedestrian Considerations ........................................................................................................2-12 2.3.2 Bicycle Considerations .............................................................................................................2-13 2.3.3 Trolley Path Considerations .....................................................................................................2-14 2.3.4 Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Needs ....................................................................................2-15 2.4 Park Conditions, Deficiencies and Engineering Considerations .............................................................2-16 2.4.1 Historic Site Conditions and Character ....................................................................................2-16 2.4.2 General Park Conditions and Character ...................................................................................2-16 2.4.3 Grading and Landscape ............................................................................................................2-20 2.4.4 Access to Recreational Features and Wayfinding ....................................................................2-20 2.4.5 Lighting ....................................................................................................................................2-23 2.4.6 Park Needs ...............................................................................................................................2-26 3 ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................................................................................3-1 3.1 Design Criteria ..........................................................................................................................................3-1 3.1.1 Historic Site Design Criteria ......................................................................................................3-1 3.1.2 Transportation Design Criteria ...................................................................................................3-3 3.1.3 Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trolley Path Design Criteria ...............................................................3-9 3.1.4 General Park Design Criteria ...................................................................................................3-10 3.2 Alternatives Considered ..........................................................................................................................3-13 3.2.1 Alternative 1: No Build/Null ...................................................................................................3-14 3.2.2 Alternative 2: Riverway on Existing Alignment .....................................................................3-14 3.2.3 Alternative 3: Riverway on Olmsted-Vaux Inspired Alignment .............................................3-15 3.2.4 Detailed Engineering Description of Alternatives 2 and 3 .......................................................3-16 PR253346, Rev. 6 Page i New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Robert Moses Parkway South Segment “Riverway” Final Design Report/Environmental Assessment 3.2.5 Design Options for Feasible Build Alternatives .......................................................................3-18 3.3 Engineering and Landscape Architecture Considerations ......................................................................3-25 3.3.1 Sustainable Site Considerations ...............................................................................................3-25 3.3.2 Historic Site Considerations .....................................................................................................3-29 3.3.3 Transportation Considerations..................................................................................................3-30 3.3.4 Bicycle/Pedestrian/Trolley Accommodations ..........................................................................3-37 3.3.5 General Park Considerations ....................................................................................................3-39