City of Middletown - New York DRI... · Committee Meeting 4 January 11, 2017– 2 City of Middletown Downtown Revitalization Initiative Agenda 1. Timeline (Where are we now) 2. …

Committee Meeting 4 – January 11, 20171

City of MiddletownDowntown Revitalization Initiative


Local Planning Committee Meeting #4January 11, 2017



Agenda

1. Timeline (Where are we now)

2. Preliminary Project Profiles and Action Plan

3. Project Selection and Prioritization

4. Breakout Discussion Groups

5. Report Back



Timeline

12/7

12/15

1/11



Public Event #3

Approximately 30 participants Presentation: project goals, strategies and potential projects. Workstations provided additional information on the projects Participants were invited to discuss projects and highlight (with

green/red dots) projects they felt should be a high or low priority.

Highest Priorities:• Incentive Program for Public Art (14 dots)• Create Downtown Historic District and Support Historic

Designation of Buildings (12 dots)• Downtown Branding Program (11 dots)• Heritage Trail Connections and Gateway Enhancements

(10 dots)

Public Event #3December 15, 2016

Senior Center



Action Plan Project Profiles

• Project name

• Strategy or strategies addressed by the project

• Brief project description

• Projected benefits

• Estimated order-of-magnitude costs

• Potential and committed public and/or private funding sources

• A general timeframe for implementing the action

• Feasibility



Goal A: Make Downtown a more attractive, walkable and functional place for residents, employees and visitors

Cost: Medium (~$500K)

Other Funding Sources: • NY Main Street Program (HCR) • CFA Funds• Private investment

Timeframe: Short Term

Feasibility: Moderate

• State-wide program in development• Low-interest financing through a

revolving loan program and potentially small grants

• Would be combined with Main Street grants, amount TBD.

• Also addresses code enforcement.

A-1: Improve Façades and Storefront Signage




Cost: Medium ($200K-$1Million)

• Other Funding Sources: NY Main Street Program (HCR)

• CFA Funds



• Gateways• Kiosks• Directional street signs• Building Façade Signage• Open Space Signage• Trail Designation• Parking Signage

A-2: Improve Downtown Wayfinding Signage




A-3: Develop a Streetscape Master Plan (Phase I)

Cost: Low (<$200K)

Other Funding Sources: • NY Main Street Program (HCR) • CFA Funds• Orange County Planning funding for

transportation projects


Feasibility: Easy

• Improve circulation, paving, landscaping, street furniture and lighting.

• Green infrastructure• Sidewalk repairs• Bike infrastructure - bike lane connections to

the Heritage Trail• Complementary to parking management and

wayfinding plans.




A-4: Implement Streetscape Improvements (Phase II)

• Implementation of recommendations from Project A-3.

• Funding for improvements and gaps in the Heritage Trail

• Promotes pedestrian activity• Helps downtown businesses

Cost: High (>$1 Million)

Other Funding Sources: • Orange County Planning funding for

transportation projects

Timeframe: Medium Term (1-3 years)





A-5: Redevelop South Street Parking Lot (Phase 1)

• Increase number of parking spaces by joining adjacent lots

• Improve aesthetics, more user-friendly

• Help adjacent property owners improve parking/access in rear of building

• Provide a small open space in front of the Paramount Theatre.

Cost: Phase 1: Medium

Other Funding Sources: • NY Main Street Program (HCR) • CFA Funds


Feasibility: Phase 1: Moderate




A-5: Redevelop South Street Parking Lot (Phase 1)

Cost: Phase 1: Medium Phase 2: High

Other Funding Sources: • NY Main Street Program (HCR) • CFA Funds• Private funding for Phase 2


Feasibility: Phase 1: ModeratePhase 2: Difficult

• Increase number of parking spaces by joining adjacent lots

• Improve aesthetics, more user-friendly

• Help adjacent property owners improve parking/access in rear of building

• Provide a small open space in front of the Paramount Theatre.




A-5: Redevelop South Street Parking Lot(Phase 2)

• Potential for future infill development areas at 2 sites

• Increase tax revenue, improve conditions in the adjacent residential neighborhood and create jobs and business opportunities

Cost: Phase 2: High

Other Funding Sources: • Private funding for Phase 2

Timeframe: Long Term (7-10 years)

Feasibility: Phase 2: Difficult

1

2




A-5: Redevelop South Street Parking Lot(Phase 2)

Existing Lot Phase 1: Connect lots and improve lower area

Phase 2:Develop two infill areas and 1 level parking structure

Upper Area 102 Spaces 129 spaces 138 (includes 30 spaces on top of parking structure)

Lower Area 33 65 58 in parking structureTotal 145 spaces 194 spaces 196 spaces

Cost: Phase 2: High

Other Funding Sources: • Private funding for Phase 2

Timeframe: Long Term (7-10 years)

Feasibility: Phase 2: Difficult

• Potential for future infill development areas at 2 sites

• Increase tax revenue, improve conditions in the adjacent residential neighborhood and create jobs and business opportunities




A-6: Complete Stage II improvements at Erie Way Park









• 10,000 sf skateboard park (funded)• 2,000 sf multi-use community pavilion • Flexible gathering space for farmers

market/community events• Railroad design elements • Heritage Trail and link to Heritage Trail

Spur.

Cost: High (>$1 Million)

Other Funding Sources: • Existing funding for skateboard park• New York State Environmental Facilities

Corporation, Green Innovation Grant Program• New York State Department of Agriculture &

Markets• NYSERDA• USDA






A-7: Implement a Parking Management Plan

• Plan for municipally owned parking facilities in the Downtown,

• Parking demand and utilization• Address need for meters • Short- and long-term parking options• Infill opportunities• Design features including landscaping,

connectivity, signage and wayfinding.

Cost: Low (<$200K)

Other Funding Sources: • New York Main Street Program (Homes and

Community Renewal)• New York State CFA funds• Orange County Planning funds for transportation

planning


Feasibility: Easy




A-8: Redesign James Street Parking Lot





• Heritage Trail connection through Thrall Plaza

• Improved landscaping• Improved connection between lot and

Festival Square • Green space opposite the DMV building

143 existing spaces, 120 proposed

Cost: Low (<$200K)


Community Renewal)• New York State Environmental Facilities

Corporation, Green Innovation Grant Program• Orange County Planning funding for transportation

and planning projects


Feasibility: Easy





• Heritage Trail connection through Thrall Plaza

• Improved landscaping• Improved connection between lot and

Festival Square • Green space opposite the DMV building

143 existing spaces, 120 proposed

Cost: Low (<$200K)






Feasibility: Easy




A-5: Redesign/Connect Henry Street Parking Lots

• Redesign of the lots on both sides of Henry Street to encourage user-friendly conditions

• Improved landscaping• Encourage shared parking • Coordinate with private owners

Cost: Medium ($200K- $1Million)



Corporation, Green Innovation Grant Program• Orange County Planning funding for

transportation and planning projects






A-5: Redesign/Connect Henry Street Parking Lots

Henry Street Lot #1:40 existing spaces, 81 proposed

Henry Street Lot #2:66 existing spaces, 73 proposed 1

2











A-10: Improve Courthouse Parking Lot




A-10: Improve Courthouse Parking Lot

Option 1: Connection to Washington StStreet (94 Spaces)

Option 2: 2-3 level parking structure + connection to Washington St(up to 188 Spaces)

Cost: Low (<$200K)





Timeframe: Option 1: Short Term (1 year)

Feasibility: Option 1: Easy




Summary of Proposed Changes to Municipal Parking

Parking Lot Existing Spaces Proposed Spaces

James Street 143 120

Henry #1 (Equilibrium) 40 81

Henry #2 (City Hall) 66 73

Paramount Upper Area 102 129

Paramount Lower Area 33 65

Courthouse Lot 83 94

Orchard Street Lot 0 50

Woolworth Building Lot 0 12

Total 467 624 (+157 spaces)



Goal B: Support outreach and marketing efforts that promote Downtown Middletown as destination of choice for students, small business owners, shoppers and young professionals.

B-1: Develop a Downtown Branding Program

Branding and graphics specialist to develop/design:• Graphics• Wayfinding• User demographics• Multi-lingual outreach programs• Social media platforms• Clear, recognizable identity• Promotional program to change perception

Cost: Low (< $200K)

Other Funding Sources: • Empire State Development- Market New York

Timeframe: Short Term (< 1 year)

Feasibility: Easy




B-2: Improve Operational Capacity of the BID

Funding to provide support for:• Enhanced communications/ marketing materials• Financial support for community events• Maintenance and event resources

(i.e. street sweeper, new signage)• Consultant support for two years

Cost: Low (< $200K)

Other Funding Sources: • Middletown City Budget• New York State CFA Grants• Empire State Development- Market New York• Private donations and grants

Timeframe: Medium Term (2 years)

Feasibility: Easy




B-3: Create an Incentive Program for Public Art

• Create a public art program using a percentage (1%) of bonded City capital projects.

• Seed program with initial funding

Cost: Low (< $200K)

Other Funding Sources: • DRI funding to support the initial program design and

launch• Partner with Orange County Arts Council to apply for

grant funding through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)- OCAC can administer funds from the NYSCA Decentralization Program

• CDBG grant for operating costs• Donations from private individuals and organizations

Timeframe: Short Term (1 year to launch)

Feasibility: Medium



Goal C: Support redevelopment of underutilized properties and the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings with technical and financial resources.

C-1: Redevelop the Woolworth Building

• “Rail Trail Commons” • Covered corridor at center with retail space • Connect Heritage Trail Connector to the

Downtown Transportation Center/Orchard Street parking lot

• Space for four retail tenants upon completion of the redevelopment.

Cost: High (> $1Million)

Other Funding Sources: • New York State CFA Grant with Orange County

Water and Soil Conservation District• Orange County Accelerator Program • Race for Space (Project D-2)






C-1: Redevelop the Woolworth Building

• The City has acquired the space behind the building as well as a property across Orchard Street.

• Both areas need funding to develop them as parking areas with landscaping and connections to the heritage trail.

Cost: High (> $1Million)

Other Funding Sources: • New York State CFA Grant with Orange County

Water and Soil Conservation District• Orange County Accelerator Program • Race for Space (Project D-2)






C-2: Create Downtown Historic District

• Financial incentive: rehabilitation tax credits available at the federal level and state levels

• Supports heritage tourism and recreation area enhancement projects

Cost: Low (estimated $30,000)

Other Funding Sources: • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and

Historic Preservation• Awards for Certified Local Governments• Preservation League of New York State, Preserve

New York Grant Program

Timeframe: Short Term (6-12 months)





C-3: Revise Downtown Zoning Code

• Allowable uses• Design standards• Parking• Density standards• Work-live housing• Outdoor dining• Green building regulations• Streamline approval process

Cost: Low (<$200K)

Other Funding Sources: • New York CFA grants• HUD Sustainable Communities Initiative

Timeframe: Short Term (6-9 months)

Feasibility: Easy



• Evaluate sites with potential hazardous materials or contamination that deter future development/have detrimental neighborhood impacts

• BOA sites would be eligible for tax credits• Potential brownfield sites include:

• Acme Bus• AAMCO Transmissions• O&W Railroad• Fort Knox facility• Classic Hosiery


C-5: Fund a Brownfield Area-wide Inventory Study

Cost: Low (<$200K)

Other Funding Sources: • New York State DOS BOA Grants

Timeframe: Short Term (1 year)

Feasibility: Easy



Goal D: Bring residents and workers to Downtown Middletown through improved housing and employment opportunities and amenities.

D-1: Support the Orange County Accelerator Program

• Accelerator attracts manufacturing-based businesses

• Provides below-market occupancy costs, workforce training, mentoring programs, easy access to resources.

• Potential locations at TD Bank Building, Woolworth Building and Touro College.

Cost: Medium (More information to come)

Other Funding Sources:

More information to come

Timeframe: More information to come

Feasibility: More information to come




D-2: Develop a Race for Space at the Woolworth Building

Cost: Low ($150,000 initial investment)

Other Funding Sources: • City owns Woolworth Building• Project C-1:Redevelop the Woolworth Building• $1 Million of local/state funds already committed to

rehabilitationTimeframe: Short- Medium Term • Implementation <1 year)• Program would run for two years following building

rehabilitation project


• Competition encourages desirable and unique retail/restaurants to fill storefronts

• Successful applicants would be eligible for:• 50% reduction in rent for short period

(2-years)• Matching funds for cost of storefront

development• Competition for $25,000 grants




D-3: Install Fiber-optic Network in Downtown and MCC

• Make Middletown more desirable for office use • Increased reliability and bandwidth

(between 1Gbps and 10Gbps)• Connect the network to:

• Former TD Bank building • Woolworth Building• Middletown Community Campus.

• Public Wi-Fi hotspot at 3-4 locations(see Project D-4).

Cost: Medium ($500K-$1Million)

Other Funding Sources: • Connect NY Broadband Program

Timeframe: More information to come

Feasibility: More information to come




D-4: Install Public Wi-Fi Hotspots

• Provide pubic internet access in key downtown areas

• Support job growth from new offices• Establish 3-4 public Wi-Fi hotspots

• TD Bank building • Woolworth building• Erie Way Park• Future Transportation Center

Cost: Low (<$200K)

Other Funding Sources: • Connect NY Broadband Program

Timeframe: Short Term (1-2 years)




Goal E: Build connections to local institutions and regional and neighborhood resources to engage students, faculty and staff as part of the Downtown’s success.

E-1: Create a Middletown Bus Loop

• Bus loop to connect institutions to Downtown• Fei Tian College and Academy/Middletown

Community Campus• Touro College • SUNY Orange

• Stops at: • Downtown (North St and Main St)• Middletown Transportation Center • Heritage Trail at Roberts Street/Railroad

Avenue and Thrall Library/Erie Way Park.


Other Funding Sources: • FTA Buses and Bus Facilities Grants Program • New York State Truck Voucher Incentive Program (funding through the

FHWA’s CMAQ Program • Orange County Planning Department for planning of the bus loop route

Timeframe: Medium (2 years)

Feasibility: Difficult




E-2: Develop a Master Plan for the Middletown Community Campus

Cost: Low (<$200K)

Other Funding Sources: More information to come


Feasibility: Easy

• Master Plan for the overall development of the campus.

• Coordinate with Fei Tian • Additional office and light industrial

development• Connect with the Heritage Trail

Connections




E-3: Develop a Safe Routes to Downtown Program

Cost: Low (<$200K)

Other Funding Sources: • National Center for Safe Routes to School• FTA’s Transportation Enhancements,

Recreational Trails and Transportation Alternatives Program

• Orange County Planning Department


Feasibility: Easy

• Study to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections from schools, community institutions and neighborhoods within a 2-mile radius to downtown



Project Prioritization and Selection



Discussion and Report Back



Next Steps

Next Committee Meeting:

Next Committee Meeting: Proposed - February 1, 5:00 – 7:00Thrall Library

Next Public Engagement Event:

4th MeetingFebruary 7th, 6:00 – 8:00City Hall

For updates, check website:www.ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/mid-hudson-Middletown



City of MiddletownDowntown Revitalization InitiativeLocal Planning Committee Meeting #4

January 11, 2017

Documents

City of Middletown - New York DRI... · Committee Meeting 4 January 11, 2017– 2 City of Middletown Downtown Revitalization Initiative Agenda 1. Timeline (Where are we now) 2. …