Lackawanna Brownfield Opportunity Area Public Meeting Presentation April 28

Lackawanna BOA Open House 1

April 28, 2011

Today’s Agenday g• Welcome and Team Introductions

• The BOA Program

• Summary of Findings To Date

• Emerging Goalsg g

BREAKOUT BREAKOUT –– Opportunities, Constraints and Emerging GoalsOpportunities, Constraints and Emerging Goals

• Directions for Change

BREAKOUT BREAKOUT –– Directions for ChangeDirections for ChangeBREAKOUT BREAKOUT –– Directions for ChangeDirections for Change

• Next Steps

The Project TeamjCity of LackawannaRalph D. Miranda ‐ Director of Economic Development Louis Zicari ‐ Brownfield Project Manager

TVGA ConsultantsProject Lead and ManagementInfrastructure AnalysisInfrastructure AnalysisBrownfield Characterization and Reuse EvaluationSEQRA Compliance and Final Document

Urban Strategies Inc.Urban Design & Land Use Planning Consultation and VisioningConsultation and Visioning

HR&A AdvisorsMarket Trends AnalysisMacro & Micro Economic AnalysisEconomic Development Strategy

The BOA Boundaryy

The Lackawanna BOA:

• Encompasses First WardEncompasses First Ward

• 2,062-acre land area

• Contains former Bethlehem Steel Site

• Ridge Road and Route 5 CorridorsCorridors

BOA Program: gOverview

Overview:

• Three step program

• Assists communities to plan for and foster redevelopmentand foster redevelopment

• Enables an area-wide approach to brownfield issues

• Can help to establish public-private partnerships

BOA Program: gStep 2 - Nomination

Outcomes:

p

• A comprehensive land use assessment and analysis

• Identification of economic andIdentification of economic and market trends

• Identification of vacant, underutilized and brownfieldunderutilized and brownfield sites

• Recommendations for future d i fuses and actions for

redevelopment of catalyst sites

Project Goalsj1. Create a plan that engages the community and garners broad public

support

2. Create a feasible development plan that identifies real economic opportunities and capitalizes on the City’s strengths

3. Create a vision for the future which can enhance the city’s economic, social and environmental circumstances

The Work PlanThe project will be completed over 11 months

Summary of Findingsy gPhysical AnalysisPhysical Analysis

Physical Analysisy y

Zoning & Land UseZoning & Land Use

• Nearly 50% of BOA is i d f t l d

<1%1%

No Data

Railroad

comprised of vacant land

• Other major land categories include

16%

6%

26%

Residential

Vacant

industrial and railroad

• Limited commercial, community service, and 4%

<1%

1% Commercial

Recreation and EntertainmentC i community service, and

recreational / entertainment uses

46%4% Community ServicesIndustrial

Public ServicesPublic Services

Physical Analysis

Zoning & Land Use

y y

Zoning & Land Use

• Large vacant tracts offer t iti fopportunities for

redevelopment

• Numerous vacant residential lots available for infill development

• High levels of vacancyHigh levels of vacancy along major transportation corridors

Physical Analysis

Issues of Land Use

y y

Issues of Land Use Compatibility

• Abrupt transitions from residential to employment uses

Physical Analysis

Land Ownership

y y

Land Ownership

• 135 of 1,553 parcels are bli l dpublicly owned

• Approximately 60 acres of publicly held land is currently vacant

• Substantial frontage along Ridge Roadalong Ridge Road Corridor is publicly owned vacant land

Physical AnalysisTransportation Network

y yp

• Bisected by State Highway

• Links to interstate highway system

• Served by extensive railroad networknetwork

• Contains a deep water port

• Ridge Road serves as gexclusive entrance to City from west

• Limited local road access toLimited local road access to industrial and vacant lands along rail corridor

Physical Analysis

Road Rail and Related

y y

Road, Rail and Related Industrial Land Uses Have Isolated the First Ward

• Currently no waterfront yconnections

• Ridge Road is the only connection to the rest ofconnection to the rest of the City

• Connections north limited b f t d dby fragmented road network and poor pedestrian conditions

Physical Analysis

Infrastructure

y y

Infrastructure

• Excess capacity exists ithi t dwithin water and sewer

systems

• Distribution and collection systems are antiquated and may require replacement

• Excess capacity exists for both gas and electric service

Physical AnalysisNatural Resources and

y yNatural Resources and Environmental Features

• Smokes Creek is Class C stream and important fish spawning area

• Over ½ mile of Lake Erie Shoreline occurs within BOA

• 100 year floodplain mapping encompasses southeast corner of BOAsoutheast corner of BOA

• Minor wetland areas occur along rail corridor

Physical Analysis

There Are Perceived

y y

There Are Perceived and Actual Issues of Contamination

• Long term stigma associated with the area and previous industrial uses

Physical Analysis

Derelict Buildings

y y

Derelict Buildings, Properties and Open Spaces Impact on the Image of the Community

• Several significant community buildings have been abandoned

• Houses in need of repair or demolition

Physical Analysis

Brownfields

y y

Brownfields, Abandoned and Vacant Sites

• 45 vacant, underutilized and brownfield sites

• 63 parcels which total 942 acres

R i i f 0 06• Range in size from 0.06 acres to 970 acres

• Mainly clustered around Hamburg Turnpike and Ridge Road

Physical AnalysisBrownfields,

y y,

Abandoned and Vacant Sites

• MOU ratified for redevelopment of Bethlehem SteelBethlehem Steel

• Steel Winds

• Tecumseh Business Park

• Phase I

• Phase II

• Phase III

Summary of Findingsy gMarket AnalysisMarket Analysis

Market Analysisy

F i th Ch ll & O t iti f Framing the Challenges & Opportunities for the First Ward

The First Ward is not the only neighborhood area that has lost it i i l i b C iti th t its original economic base. Communities across the county

have faced similar challenges and succeeded.

Pursuing a clear and sustained turn around plan and preparing sites for redevelopment are key.

Market Analysis

Methodology

y

Demographic Profile

Methodology

R l E t t M k t A l i

Demographic Profile

Real Estate Market Analysis

Labor Market Analysis

Development Feasibility

Market Analysis

Demographics Change in Population

y

Demographics

CHALLENGES

• Decreasing population

9%10.0%

Change in Population1990-2010

• Decreasing population

• Elevated poverty rate

• Lagging educational attainment 0.0%

5.0%

OPPORTUNITIES

• Young population -6%

-5.0%

• Growing community of Yemeni

immigrants bringing new vitality to the

First Ward -14%-15.0%

-10.0%

-17%

-20.0%

First Ward Lackawanna Erie County New York

Market Analysis

Housing Market Housing Market Comparison

y

Housing MarketCHALLENGES

• Low rates of homeownership60%

70%g p

• Older housing stock

• Lower rents and home prices 40%

50%

OPPORTUNITIES

• Construction of affordable housing and

rehabilitation of dilapidated homes could 20%

30%

p

bring new life to the First Ward but would

require government support

• Affordability of housing could serve as

0%

10%

First Ward Lackawanna Erie County• Affordability of housing could serve as

potential competitive advantage Rental Units

Built Pre-1940

Market Analysis

Retail & Hotel Market

y

Retail & Hotel MarketCHALLENGES

• First Ward has poor reputation among p p g

outsiders

• Not a lot of existing spaces for retail to occupy

on Ridge Road

• Perception that commercial taxes are high

• Access to financing unclear for small

businesses

Market Analysis

Retail & Hotel Market

y

Retail & Hotel MarketOPPORTUNITIES

• Accessibility to highways and downtown Buffalo

• Recent successful developments on Hamburg Turnpike (hotel, gas station)

• Unmet neighborhood demand:

• ~$3M of additional food & beverage sales

• ~$2M of annual retail sales

• Additional demand for restaurants and Additional demand for restaurants and medium-sized stores from nearby neighborhoods

• Neighborhood retail on Ridge Rd. could serve residents and build community, but may require subsidy

Market Analysis

Office & Industrial Market

y

Office & Industrial MarketCHALLENGES

• Redevelopment of defunct industrial sites p

requires remediation

• Little potential for office development in

the First Ward due to suburban the First Ward due to suburban

competition

OPPORTUNITIES

• Steelawanna Industrial Park can build on

success of Lakeside Commerce Park

• Availability of brownfield tax credits on • Availability of brownfield tax credits on

Bethlehem Steel site could bring future

development to the area Steelawanna Industrial Park

Summary of Findingsy gMarket AnalysisMarket Analysis

Office & Industrial MarketOffice & Industrial MarketACCESSIBILITY

• Intermodal rail-to-highway transfer

facility

• Four Class I rail connections

• Potential for an expanded port• Potential for an expanded port

• Within 500 miles of 55% of the

U.S. population and 62% of the

Canadian population

• 9 million + consumers within 125

mile radiusmile radius

Market AnalysisLabor Market Analysis Manufacturing Employment

yLabor Market AnalysisCHALLENGES

• Manufacturing jobs pay well but have 0%

1997-2002 2002-2007

g p y

declined steadily in the region

• Decline of overall employment

OPPORTUNITIES

-5%

OPPORTUNITIES

• Professional services, education and life

sciences have shown regional growth -15%

-10%

• Biofuels, green energy and green

manufacturing are developing nearby

Lacka anna’s fa orable location co ld

-20%

Erie County• Lackawanna’s favorable location could

attract logistics/ distribution firms with

help of incentives

Erie County

Buffalo-Niagara Region

New York State

Market Analysisy

Market Analysis

Ch ll & O t iti i th Fi t W d

y

Challenges & Opportunities in the First Ward

Attracting new investment requires public support

Starting with small interventions will improve the quality of life for residents quality of life for residents

while sparking longer-term growth

Market Analysis

Wh t i t j t t d l t ?

y

What is necessary to jumpstart redevelopment ?

Targeted public investment

Sustained local attention

Community development initiatives: homeownership small business loans homeownership, small business loans,

small business incubators

Market Analysis

Wh t h t t ff t h i di t

y

What short-term efforts can have an immediate impact?

Key projects on Ridge Road such as streetscaping could have a transformative effect

on the First Wardon the First Ward

Pursuit of one or two promising public Pursuit of one or two promising public investment opportunities to catalyze growth

Market Analysis

Wh t i ibl ith f d bli t tt ti ?

y

What is possible with focused public sector attention?

Neighborhood retail corridorg

Affordable housing and housing rehabilitationAffordable housing and housing rehabilitation

Highway supported uses on Hamburg TurnpikeHighway-supported uses on Hamburg Turnpike

Economic and community development

Emerging Goalsg g

Emerging GoalsWhat We Have Heard To Date

Six draft goals have been developed to address the context, strengths and weaknesses of the BOA.

They respond to the issues that have been raised in prior studies, throughout our analysis and by stakeholders and the Steering Committee.

They address economy, image, community and natural environment and seek to guide transformation of the First Ward it into a better place to live work and raise familiesWard it into a better place to live, work and raise families.

They will be refined during this visioning session, with input from the general public. p g p

Emerging Goals

1) Strengthen and diversify the economic base and support local

What We Have Heard To Date

1) Strengthen and diversify the economic base and support local opportunities for employment and small business development.

Objectives and Strategies:j g

• Target industries and employment opportunities that have local and regional growth potential such as retail, professional services, green industry, logistics/distribution and flex commercial.

• Allocate future employment uses to best suit the physical context; main street uses, highway related uses; industrial/employment uses and street uses, highway related uses; industrial/employment uses and neighborhood uses

• Create an economic development strategy aimed at developing incentives, improving the physical context marketing etc to support positive changeimproving the physical context, marketing etc. to support positive change

• Consider funding programs to support work force retraining and apprentice programs

Emerging Goals

2) F t th i t ti l f Rid R d i f i it

What We Have Heard To Date

2) Foster the economic potential of Ridge Road, reinforcing it as a local and regional destination that supports a diversity of uses and transitions to the City’s central business district.

Objectives and Strategies:

• Establish a Ridge Road business improvement area that targets potential businesses retail restaurants and professional services to the main street businesses, retail, restaurants and professional services to the main street and can initiate a combined marketing strategy

• Pursue good design for new buildings and consider a façade improvement g t h th i ti g t kprogram to enhance the existing stock

• Encourage a two sided main street with active uses at grade

• Utilize vacant publicly owned lands as a catalyst to kick start renewal• Utilize vacant publicly owned lands as a catalyst to kick start renewal

• Embrace the ethnic and cultural strengths of the community and market them as a distinct regional asset


3) Capture the regional market potential of the Hamburg Turnpike creating opportunities for larger retail and employment uses seeking a highly visible location adjacent to the highway.


Target large format retail distribution and accommodation related uses• Target large format retail, distribution and accommodation related uses

• Establish design standards to improve the quality of development on both sides of this key corridor

• Invest in street and public realm improvements

• Preserve for the ability to connect the community to the Bethlehem Steel l d th gh k t t ti th T iklands through key street connections across the Turnpike

• Consider the longer-term potential for the removal of the elevated portions of Route 5


4) Work towards a more positive image for the First Ward and City through place-making strategies that strengthen the physical appearance of the community, change negative perceptions and set the stage for new investment.


• Identify streetscape and open space improvements

• Maintain roads and infrastructure and improve connections to lakeside commerce park pulling its success into your community and to your main p p g y y ystreet

• Reinforce the entrance to your community at Ridge Road/Hamburg Turnpike intersectionintersection

• Over the long-term undertake a set of strategies aimed at reducing the stock of derelict buildings creating new development sites for future use


5) Work to improve the neighborhood, establishing the First Ward as a more desirable place where people want to live, visit and work.


• Reduce isolation through improved street and open space connectivity

• Undertake a range of programs or strategies aimed at improving the quality of the housing stock

• Establish a community task force to champion park and streetscape Establish a community task force to champion park and streetscape improvement, exploring the potential for new uses such as community gardens and weekend farmers markets.

E i l d l t i t l b ff d • Ensure new commercial and employment uses are appropriately buffered from adjacent residential uses


6) Celebrate the area’s primary natural feature, water, by improving land and aquatic habitats, enhancing access and establishing new recreational opportunities adjacent to these features.


Preserve habitats and link disconnected natural features• Preserve habitats and link disconnected natural features

• Establish an open space buffer along Smokes Creek and the waterfront and develop an enhancement and recreational use strategy for these areas

• Invest in trails and open space linkages that traverse the BOA and connect to area assets

We’d Like to Hear From You

1. Are there any issues or opportunities that we missed?

2. Did we get the goals right? Are there any that we should add, change or remove?, g

Emerging Directionsg g


1 The site is big and complex It’s not going to develop all at

A Redevelopment StrategyA Redevelopment Strategy

1. The site is big and complex…It’s not going to develop all at once.

2. Reinvestment will take time and everyone pulling in the same direction.

3. A successful strategy will be one that seeks to create a setting for new investments and community improvement while respecting market trends and the changing contextwhile respecting market trends and the changing context.

Emerging Directionsg g1 The public sector will need to


A review of the background analysis highlights a range of potential uses and investments for

1. The public sector will need to lead through investments and strategies that can catalyze private sector investment

potential uses and investments for both the short and long-term.

2. Public investment and targeted incentives will help to set the stage for new investment by transforming the image of the

• Neighborhood Retail Uses• General Retail Uses• Flex Commercial Space• Logistics and Distribution

BOA and making it more competitive to regional alternatives

g• Green Energy and Green Manufacturing• Hospitality• Neighborhood Enhancements

Comm nit Facilities

3. Target development incentives strategically

4. Positive change will also bolster a • Community Facilitiesgreater sense of community pride

and well being


W lk b f di i


We want to talk about four distinct areas for reinvestment.

1. The Main Street2. Steelawanna3 The Highway3. The Highway4. The Residential Community

The Main Street

Capture the economic Capture the economic potential of Ridge Road by reinforcing it as a local and regional commercial destination

Themes• Local and regional draw• Improved physical image• Improved cycling and

pedestrian environment• A location for retail and

b i d f i l business and professional services


Neighborhood Retail

The Main StreetThe Main Street

Neighborhood Retail

New neighborhood retail h ll t il tl t such as small retail outlets,

a small grocery store or pharmacy

Considerations• 10,000-15,000sqft of

local unmet demandlocal unmet demand• Serve the needs of the

local community• Short term potential• Positive neighborhood

benefits


Neighborhood Retail


Neighborhood Retail

New neighborhood retail such as small retail outlets, a small grocery store or pharmacy


Neighborhood Retail


Neighborhood Retail

New neighborhood retail such as small retail outlets, a small grocery store or pharmacy


Retail: Restaurants


Retail: Restaurants

Full and Limited Service R t t d S i l Restaurants and Special Food Services

ConsiderationsConsiderations• 25,000 sqft of unmet

demand within 1.5miles of Ridge Roadof Ridge Road

• Potential to cluster smaller restaurants to create a larger area gdestination

• Opportunities for strong street relationship


Retail: Merchandise

Capture the economic potential of Ridge Road Capture the economic potential of Ridge Road

Retail: Merchandise

Home Furnishings, El t i Cl thi d Electronics, Clothing and Accessories

ConsiderationsConsiderations• 35,000sqft of unmet

demand within 1.5miles of Ridge Roadof Ridge Road


Retail: Merchandise


Retail: Merchandise and Restaurants


Retail: Merchandise



If 50% of unmet demand within 1.5 miles of Ridge Road was captured


Retail: Merchandise



If 100% of unmet demand within 1.5 miles of Ridge Road was captured


Retail: Market


Retail: Market

A destination market that l b t th di it f celebrates the diversity of

the First Ward

ConsiderationsConsiderations• Build on the diversity of

the first ward • Cater to both the local Cater to both the local

and regional market• Pedestrian oriented• Strong relationship to g

both the neighborhood and Ridge Road


Retail: Market


Retail: Market

A destination market that l b t th di it f celebrates the diversity of

the First Ward

ConsiderationsConsiderations• Build on the diversity of

the first ward • Cater to both the local Cater to both the local

and regional market• Pedestrian oriented• Strong relationship to g

both the neighborhood and Ridge Road


Streetscape


Streetscape Enhancements

Ridge Road Streetscape Improvements

C id tiConsiderations• Celebrating the

“Gateway” to the City• Improved streetscape • Improved streetscape,

planting and lighting to establish a setting for investment and change investment and change perceptions


Streetscape Streetscape Enhancements

Ridge Road Streetscape Improvements

C id tiConsiderations• Celebrating the

“Gateway” to the City• Improved streetscape • Improved streetscape,

planting and lighting to establish a setting for investment and change investment and change perceptions


Coordinating Retail


Coordinating Retail

A Managed Main Street

Considerations• Façade improvement

programprogram• Business Improvement

District - targeted retail management and management and coordination

• Targeted marketing strategyg

Steelawanna

Elevate the profile of Elevate the profile of Steelawanna as a compliment and logical extension of the BLCPThemesThemes• New street connections

that result in new frontage for higher value frontage for higher value businesses

• Pull the activity of BLCP to support the main street

• Opportunity for place making


Street Network

SteelawannaSteelawanna

Street Network Improvements

Enhancing the Relationship Between Steelawanna and BLCP

Considerations• Create new business

frontage locationsfrontage locations


Commercial Flex


Commercial Flex Space

Flexible commercial space that can cater to a variety of uses

Considerations• Ranging from

15 000 80 000sqft but 15,000-80,000sqft but generally around 20,000sqft

• Will require improved Will require improved connectivity with BLCP to the north and design continuity/quality


A Flexible Open Space


A Flexible Open Space

Flexible open space to t l t t l ith create real estate value with

potential for a variety of recreational uses


Logistics and


Logistics and Distribution

Capitalizing on the strategic bi-national location

C id tiConsiderations• Capitalize on proximity to

rail and water• Could occupy the eastern • Could occupy the eastern

edge of the site adjacent to the rail corridor.

• Will require larger land Will require larger land parcels


Green Energy and


Green Energy and Green Manufacturing

Building on the green Building on the green economy and complimenting the S th B ff l BOASouth Buffalo BOAConsiderations• Can capitalize on the

cluster of green energy and sustainable industries and contribute to branding of the area

• Potential for state incentives

The Highwayg y

The Hamburg Turnpike The Hamburg Turnpike as a Retail and Employment Destination

Themes• Improve the Image of the

City• More east-west

ti itconnectivity• Linking and expanding

the waterfront trail to Smokes Creek and the Smokes Creek and the lake


Bethlehem Steel

The HighwayThe Highway

Bethlehem Steel

A vast area with the potential over the long term potential over the long term to cater to a broad range of employment uses

Considerations• MOU is in place• Range of employment g p y

opportunities• New uses here will help

to strengthen the success and desirability of other areas within the BOA


A Hotel


A Hotel

A hotel that can serve the id B ff l k twider Buffalo market

Considerations• Potential future market • Potential future market

demand for highway related accommodation given proximity and given proximity and access to the downtown

• Positive benefit to restaurants or other retail uses along the main street


Retail: General


Retail: General Merchandise

Retail uses that will cater to the broader Lackawanna, Hamburg and South Buffalo C itiCommunities

Considerations• 35 000sqft within • 35,000sqft within

1.5miles of Ridge Road• General Merchandise • Can capitalize on higher Can capitalize on higher

profile of the Hamburg Turnpike


Retail: General


Retail: General Merchandise

Retail uses that will cater to the broader Lackawanna, Hamburg and South Buffalo C itiCommunities

Considerations• 35 000sqft within • 35,000sqft within

1.5miles of Ridge Road• General Merchandise • Can capitalize on higher Can capitalize on higher

profile of the Hamburg Turnpike


Highway Related Built


Highway Related Built Form & Streetscape Improvements

Improve the image of the city

Considerations• Enhanced streetscaping,

built form and property standards aimed at improving this important entry to Lackawanna

• Improve the physical b context to better attract

investment


Extension of the


Extension of the Fuhrmann Blvd. Trail

A t f t t il ti A waterfront trail connecting the lake to Smokes Creek in the south

Considerations• Extension of Waterfront

TrailTrail• Enhance Image of the

Hamburg Turnpike


Street Network


Street Network Improvements

Defining new street gconnections across the Hamburg Turnpike (Route 5) would reduce community isolation

ConsiderationsS• Strengthen the relationship between potential new businesses west of the highway and west of the highway and services to the east of the Highway


Long Term


Long Term Improvements

Normalization of the Ridge gRoad and Hamburg Turnpike (Route 5) Intersection

ConsiderationsConsiderations• Long term prospect that

may align with Buffalo’s desire for removal of the desire for removal of the skyway and other elevated portions of Route 5

• Dramatically improves access and visibility to the community


Long Term








Long Term







Residential Communityy

Enhancing the Enhancing the Residential CommunityThemes• Long term improvement of

the housing stock –subsidized housing, housing retrofits and housing retrofits and renewal

• Removal of derelict structuresstructures

• Improved open spaces and streetscapes

• Guidelines to promote pbetter land use relationships and compatibility


New Housing

The Residential Community The Residential Community

New Housing

Replacing derelict homes and vacant lots with new NEW NEW

houses for existing residents

Considerations• New housing to fill in the g

gaps in the street • Consolidation of vacant

parcels to create larger lots

• 50 NRP Group homes• Coordinate distribution of

h i i h h new housing with other improvements to create a bigger impact


New Housing


New Housing

Replacing derelict homes and vacant lots with new houses for existing residents

Considerations• New housing to fill in the g

gaps in the street • Consolidation of vacant

parcels to create larger lots

• 50 NPR Group homes• Coordinate distribution of

h i i h h new housing with other improvements to create a bigger impact


New Housing


New Housing

Clustering houses to bridge the gap between the existing municipal homes and the neighborhood


New Housing


New Housing

Reinforcing the two key north south spines


New Housing


New Housing

Strengthening the core of the neighborhood


New Housing


New Housing

Creating a central spine south to Jeffrey Taggart Memorial Playground with new homes facing onto the park


Housing Rehabilitation


Housing RehabilitationRestoring the existing housing stock to create a better living environment

Considerations• Enhanced environmental

performance• State of good repair• Opportunity to tap into

state and federal programs such as the weatherization and i t g t l intergovernmental program


Housing Renewal and


Housing Renewal and Population GrowthThere are many creative yways to stabilize and growth the population base and initiate renewal of housing stock


Housing Renewal and


Housing Renewal and Population Growth


Community Gathering


Community Gathering Places

An indoor community meeting or gathering place

C id tiConsiderations• Could be a retrofit of an

existing building• Opportunity to co locate • Opportunity to co-locate

with other uses• Potential to partner with

the City of Buffalo to the City of Buffalo to create a joint use facility in South Park


Community Gathering



An indoor community meeting or gathering place

C id tiConsiderations• Could be a retrofit of an

existing building• Opportunity to co locate • Opportunity to co-locate

with other uses• Potential to partner with

the City of Buffalo to the City of Buffalo to create a joint use facility in South Park


Community Gathering



An outdoor community meeting or gathering place


Street and Open Space


Street and Open Space Enhancements

A long term strategy aimed g gyat enhancing the pedestrian environment and improving local parks

Considerations• Making it easier for

pedestrians and cyclists pedestrians and cyclists to move within the neighborhood

• Creating a safer genvironment for children and families


Thinking creatively


Thinking creatively about open spaces and vacant property

A Community Garden

Considerations• Re-utilizing vacant lots

while creating t iti f opportunities for

community interaction and local food production


Thinking creatively



A local tree farm

Considerations• Could be a join venture

between the community d it f ilit ti g and city facilitating

beautification at reduced costs

• Business potential• Business potential


Thinking creatively



Integrating storm water management throughout the community to slow and filter runoff and enhance surface water quality

Considerations• Integrated with

streetscape streetscape enhancements


Improving Waterfront


Improving Waterfront Connections

Enhancing access to the gUnion Ship Canal

Considerations• Significant new waterside • Significant new waterside

open space• Require enhanced

pedestrian and cycling pedestrian and cycling connections north through Steelawanna

• Opportunity to connect with the Fuhrmann Blvd trail


Improving Waterfront


Improving Waterfront Connections

Enhancing access to gSmokes Creek

Considerations• Long term potential to Long term potential to

connect east through Lackawanna and west to the lake

• Opportunities for new recreational uses such as fishing or canoeing

• Opportunity to connect with the Fuhrmann Blvd trail


Environmental


Environmental Enhancements

Smokes Creek

Considerations• Improved fish and wildlife

habitathabitat• Storm Water and Flood

risk Management• Can be combined with Can be combined with

access enhancements• Partnership opportunities

with Buffalo River Keepers


Improved Connections


Improved Connections East to the Downtown

Sid lk d C li Sidewalk and Cycling Improvements

ConsiderationsConsiderations• Improving the walk to the

downtown• Explore dedicated cycling Explore dedicated cycling

lanes down the length of ridge road

• Winter considerations

Visioning

4 break out groups :4 break out groups :

• The Main Street• The Highway• SteelawannaSteelawanna• The Community

Visioning

Here is what we would like you to do!Here is what we would like you to do!

• 15minutes – Describe your vision for this area?

• 10 minutes – What uses are most appropriate for this area and where should they go?

10 minutes What should happen with existing parks community • 10 minutes – What should happen with existing parks, community facilities, natural areas and open space connections? What are the priorities?

• 10 minutes – How can the community, City and business interests work together for positive change?

Report Back – 5 Minutes Per Group

Next StepspMid July 2011

• Draft Materials and outcomes of todays events will be circulated to the Steering Committee for review and comment

Mid August 2011

• Following revisions we will return and present a:• Following revisions we will return and present a:

• Draft Vision and Goals

• Draft Concept

• Draft Nomination Materials

• The purpose of the meeting will be to receive feedback on the draft plan so that the materials can be refined in ppreparation for the final submission in November

Lackawanna BOA Open House 1

April 28, 2011

Documents

Lackawanna Brownfield Opportunity Area Public Meeting Presentation April 28