Quarterly Update: July 2024

Introduction

Another quarter is in the books and what a quarter it has been! We have advanced our vision on several fronts, have engaged with NYSDOT and the Empire State Development team, and continued to advance our social media spotlights.

Our goal remains to transform Albany into a world class city with our unwavering vision.

What we have learned over the past two years is that nothing will change unless you become involved. Without you, the vision we have set out to transform Albany into a world class city will simply not happen.

Currently our journey is on two tracks. One involves continued interaction with DOT to gain a strong result in their final report due by year’s end. This report will focus on engineering issues. Our second focus is our application to the Empire State Development Corporation for a comprehensive Strategic Planning and Feasibility Study for the Eastern Terminus of the Erie Canal. This is a competitive matching grant, and will become the blueprint for implementing the project by public entities. We anticipate the Study will cover all aspects of our vision and cost $100k, an amount we will need to raise before securing the 50 percent match. Our plan is to secure these funds through our own current resources, donations by individuals, a bridge loan up to the match amount granted and by events. At this point the uncertainty of public funding is not an option for this grant application. 

An Ask

As you have joined us on this journey we ask two things.

First, consider a tax-exempt donation, none is too small or too large, either by a check or a pledge sent to our treasurer, Eric Simonds, CERB, Upstate New York, 210 Washington Ave Extension Suite 201 Albany New York 12203. 

Second, we know that there are many who are excited about our dream but do not know how to join us. Therefore, please take time in the near future to spread our news, recruit others and have them sign on, either through our website of by e- mail to me.

Empire State Development

The ESD has a matching grant program that we will apply to by July 31, 2024. As a tax exempt not for profit corporation we are eligible to apply for a competitive Strategic Planning and Feasibility Study Grant to define all of the possibilities for the Eastern Terminus of the Erie Canal. It is a 50 percent matching grant. This will be a condition precedent to securing funding for implementing our vision. The elements of our application include setting forth our financials, securing letters of support, describing our request and proposing the cost for a comprehensive study of the engineering, environmental, social, affordable housing, public private development partnerships, tourism and job creation issues. We need to describe our ability to raise the total cost of the study, realizing that we will receive back 50 percent of it. We are encouraged by letters of support from Congressman Tonko, Senator Ashby, Members of Assembly Fahy and McDonald, County Executive McCoy, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, the NYS Canal Corporation, Discover Albany, Historic Albany Foundation, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, the Advance Albany County Alliance, the Capitol Region Chamber / The Center for Economic Growth, Visionary Jeff Buell, and others. Each stresses various unique benefits which will be derived from our vision. These leaders have been very supportive and encouraging us on our journey!

NYSDOT (DOT) 

The Study

As you may know, DOT was awarded a $5m grant to review ways of reconnecting Albany to the Hudson River. They are expected to issue a report later this year. It will be focused on the engineering challenges faced by altering I-787, by constructing a land bridge over that highway towards the river and, for our focused vision, by examining the waterway connecting the river into downtown and daylighting the Eastern Terminus of the Erie Canal which includes the 1841 Lock One, the adjacent boat basin, and the weigh lock through which boats were weighed, assessed a toll, and proceeded into the Erie Canal.

Current Activity

During this quarter, the NYSDOT held an information session at the Capital Center in Albany. They presented several options regarding I-787, a concept for the land bridge and our vision. 

Regarding our Waterway, they listed a number of engineering challenges, including overcoming the height difference between the River and Broadway. As for the Eastern Terminus proposal they listed three options, two of which would create parks in the area of Lock One and a third which would comport with our proposal with its three elements. The agency has been open to continuing discussions.

In June Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, a champion of our vision, organized and chaired a meeting between DOT and our board. We asked a number of questions about each of their relevant proposals. With respect to their position that creating a waterway would require a public reservoir to supply a source of water, this completely ignores the presence of the Hudson River, adds significant cost and is not practicable. We stressed that today the river is several feet below the proposed canal, yet significant water is pumped daily from the river through very large pipes to heat and cool the Empire State Plaza complex, a technology completed over 50 years ago. In addition to a pumping option to flood the Waterway, 200 years ago Lock One was constructed with the same issues and engineers figured out how to bring boats into the boat basin to begin their journey west from the Hudson River. These same engineers established a method to bring the Erie Canal west at Lockport by building a series of 5 Locks and pumps to permit boats to ascend 70 feet up a granite cliff. So we urged the agency to continue to review the proposal to arrive at a way to resolve the issue. 

In addition, we stressed that as an option the Waterway could end with an inner harbor in front of the SUNY Headquarters with a branch leading to any development proposed for the parking lot district, including, most recently, a soccer stadium, retail and related amenities. This vision would parrot similar developments in cities across the country that have been significantly transformed by blue spaces.

As to the Eastern Terminus options, we rejected the parks without daylighting the Locks as this would be similar to relocating the USS Slater to Troy and leaving behind an historical marker noting its former presence and significance. As is clear, this defeats the purpose of creating a historic destination bringing visitors, public private development and jobs while reconnecting Albany, including its thriving warehouse district, to this site. And, with the proposed demolition of Central Warehouse, an empty canvas exists awaiting our proposal.

Discussions are ongoing and you can assist by letters of support as directed below.

Social Media
The Albany Waterway has a presence on Facebook and Instagram. We continue to improve our website www.albanywaterway.org. Response has been good.

Next Steps

We expect to continue discussions with the NYSDOT as they refine their study on our issues. You can register your support by contacting Robert Rice at Robert.Rice@dot.ny.gov; Greg Wichser at Greg.Wichser@dot.ny.gov; or Kelly Kircher at Kelley.Kircher@dot.ny.gov   

The ESC will determine our grant application later this year. 

We continue to build support anticipating the 200th anniversary of the completion the Erie Canal on October 25th, 2025.

Please do not hesitate to stay in touch. Together we will succeed!

If Not Now, Then When!

Onward!