Route 32 Linkage Study Conceptual Plan Development & Transportation Analysis Final Report—January 2011 For the Village of Menands, Town of Colonie, City of Watervliet and Capital District Transportation Committee Route 32 Linkage Study January 25, 2010 Conceptual Plan Development & Transportation Analysis Table of Contents and Appendices I. Collaboration/Partnerships .................................................................................................................. 5 II. Approach ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 III. Goals ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 A. Complete Streets ................................................................................................................ 6 B. Safe Travel Speeds ............................................................................................................. 6 C. Pedestrian Friendly ........................................................................................................... 6 D. Bicycle Friendly .................................................................................................................. 6 E. Transit Oriented ................................................................................................................. 6 F. New Development/Redevelopment ............................................................................... 6 G. Streetscapes ........................................................................................................................ 6 H. Stormwater Management ................................................................................................. 6 I. Connections ......................................................................................................................... 7 IV. Public Involvement ................................................................................................................................. 7 V. The Corridor as a Whole: Conditions and Recommendations ........................................... 7 A. Land Use Conditions .......................................................................................................... 7 B. Transportation Conditions .............................................................................................. 8 C. Corridor­Wide Recommendations ................................................................................. 9 D. Relationship To The Route 378 Interchange Possible Improvements................ 12 E. Redevelopment Opportunities/Catalysts ................................................................... 13 VI. Introduction to Each Sub­Section ................................................................................................ 13 A. Menands to Colonie ......................................................................................................... 13 B. Colonie to Watervliet....................................................................................................... 13 C. Watervliet .......................................................................................................................... 13 VII. Description of Menands to Colonie Subsection ................................................................... 14 A. Existing Land Use Conditions ........................................................................................ 14 B. Existing Transportation Conditions ............................................................................ 17 C. Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 18 VIII. Description of Colonie to Watervliet Subsection............................................................ 21 A. Existing Land Use Conditions ........................................................................................ 21 B. Existing Transportation Conditions ............................................................................. 24 C. Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 25 IX. Description of Watervliet Subsection ........................................................................................ 27 A. Land Use Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 27 B. Existing Transportation Conditions ............................................................................. 30 C. Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 32 X. Implementation ......................................................................................................................................... 36 XI. Conclusions and Next Steps ............................................................................................................. 36 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................. 37 Appendix A: Assessment of Existing Conditions ............................................................. 37 Appendix B: Glossary of Terms .......................................................................................... 69 1 Route 32 Linkage Study January 25, 2010 Conceptual Plan Development & Transportation Analysis Appendix C: Sample Complete Streets Resolution ......................................................... 70 Appendix D: Notes From Public Meetings ........................................................................ 73 Appendix E: Study Area Boundary map ........................................................................... 80 Appendix F: CDTC Bicycle Rack Program ......................................................................... 82 Appendix G: Crash Data and Traffic Volume Report ...................................................... 84 Appendix H: Future Recommendations Maps By Sub­Area ......................................... 89 Appendix I: Sample Shared Parking Agreement ............................................................. 93 Appendix J: CDTA Guidelines for Transit Station Design .............................................. 96 Appendix K: Implementation Matrix .............................................................................. 103 Appendix L: Required Disclosures .................................................................................. 116 Appendix M: Graphics ........................................................................................................ 118 2 Route 32 Linkage Study January 25, 2010 Conceptual Plan Development & Transportation Analysis Acknowledgements This Linkage Study document is the end product of the work of many individuals who worked cooperatively for the success on behalf of the Route 32 Corridor Communities: the Village of Menands, Town of Colonie and City of Watervliet. The following people contributed many hours of concerted effort to the production of the plan. Their commitment, energy and enthusiasm made this plan possible. Study Advisory Committee Members Robert Shadlock Watervliet Arsenal Lauren Smith Watervliet Arsenal Joseph LaCivita Town of Colonie Michael Tengeler Town of Colonie Mike Wyatt NYSDOT Paul Reuss Village of Menands Ron Miller Village of Menands Megan Grenier Village of Menands Phyllis Carroll City of Watervliet Paul Murphy City of Watervliet Rosemary Nichols City of Watervliet Carrie Ward CDTA Sponsor ­ Capital District Transportation Committee Linkage Program Deb Stacey CDTC Consulting Team Margaret Irwin River Street Planning & Development, LLC Leila Jabour Amy Ferguson Susan Blickstein Susan G. Blickstein Consulting Joe Fama Tap, Inc. This project is funded by the Capital District Transportation Committee’s Community and Transportation Linkage Planning Program. 3 Route 32 Linkage Study January 25, 2010 Conceptual Plan Development & Transportation Analysis Description of the Project Previously known as the Albany‐Watervliet Turnpike, the present day New York State Route 32 was built in 1828 by the Watervliet Turnpike Company from the northern boundary of Albany north to the northern limit of Gibbonsville (now Broadway and 15th Street in Watervliet). Over the years Route 32 has provided access to shopping, entertainment/recreation, employment and homes. Today it still serves as an important transportation route for area residents living in the Port Schuyler neighborhood in Watervliet and in the Town of Colonie as well as for employees of the Watervliet Arsenal and other businesses located along the corridor and consumers of these businesses. The Watervliet Arsenal is still a major employer for the City of Watervliet employing approximately 600 people. Additionally, the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) granted to the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership at the Watervliet Arsenal will potentially allow development of approximately 63 acres of underutilized land by private companies. Key objectives of the development plan of the Partnership include adding 550,000 square feet of building space for manufacturing, office, research and development and high‐tech companies; creating 1,000 new private‐sector jobs and providing more opportunities