Semi Quarterly Report: May 2024
Dear Friends, The Army of the Engaged!
This is a mid-quarter update to bring you up to date on actions impacting the Vision of The Albany Waterway.
Thank you for your constant support!
On our hard slow path forward, we have been positively studied by the NYSDOT, as demonstrated in their recent open house. At this event they laid out a vision of the canal flowing through downtown on Broadway, as depicted in the Len Tantillo work attached and shown above. Also featured was an explanation of three possibilities for Lock One. While two of them featured parks adjacent to the site of Lock One with a marker to explain the Lock, a third showed an exposed Lock with water flowing from the Hudson River into an area where the original basin was located. Reactions to the first two ideas compared them to having the Slater moved from Albany and replaced by a memorial marker on the pier explaining that the Slater was a destroyer escort representing ships that won the Battle of the North Atlantic in WWII. You get the idea – it takes away from the entire experience. In addition, Member of the Assembly Pat Fahy has been a champion of our vision. She is scheduling a follow up meeting to include our team with NYSDOT to continue to better understand each other and to explore their work to date further.
Recently we met with NYS Empire State Development representatives who have grant possibilities for matching funds to study our vision and this summer we will be applying for funding focused on Lock One. This is a grant program and we are seeking assistance from you. Please let me know if you could help.
Finally, you have seen much enthusiasm and some criticism for the concept advanced to redevelop the parking lot district by including as a centerpiece an outdoor soccer stadium surrounded by new businesses, retail, restaurants, and affordable housing. Again, looking at Indianapolis, why not include a waterway branching from nearby Broadway! We will be involved with this as it develops with an eye toward preserving and showcasing Historic Albany Foundation’s property at 48 Hudson Avenue, the oldest building in Albany. And to complete the picture, how about naming the soccer team the Destroyer Escorts to highlight the Slater and the sacrifice, courage, and loyalty of those who won the Battle of the North Atlantic, allowing men and material to flow freely to Europe and enabling D Day and all that followed to happen.
We believe our vision will truly transform our Capital City, bringing with it a vitality worthy of Albany and highlighting our unique historic past. On October 26, 2025 we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal. What better way than to cut a ribbon on the terminus, Lock One!
If Governor Clinton can overcome the naysayers, why not us!
You can assist by increasing our public support through letters to the editor, inviting us to speak to civic and neighborhood groups and by your tax deductible donations either through our website or by check payable to The Albany Waterway Inc. sent to our Treasurer, Eric Simonds CCM, CBRE Upstate, 210 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12203 to advance our vision.