Contract C000761 Hudson River Valley Greenway Link · 2008. 8. 23. · Hudson River Valley Greenway Link Hudson River Greenway Link Background A coalition of Environmental and Waterfront

Attachment#5, Additional Background Information Contract C000761

Hudson River Valley Greenway Link

Friends of the Hudson River Park Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

Natural Resources Defense Council New York City Audubon

New York League of Conservation Voters Regional Plan Association

Riverkeeper, Inc. Riverside South Planning Corporation

Scenic Hudson Trust for Public Land

Waterfront Park Coalition West Harlem Environmental Action

Senators Clinton and Schumer

June 28, 2005 Dear Senator, We are writing to you to express our support for the Hudson River Greenway and the proposal to fund planning and interim improvements along the four miles of Hudson River waterfront extending north from Inwood Hill Park on the northern tip of Manhattan, to the Riverdale and Yonkers Railroad Stations, and ending at the Beczak Environmental Center in Yonkers. Sincerely, Kit Kennedy Carter Craft Natural Resources Defense Council Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance Michael Bradley Al Butzel Riverside South Planning Corporation Friends of Hudson River Park Marcia Bystryn Paul J. Elston New York League of Conservation Voters Waterfront Park Coalition Erik Kulleseid Alex Matthiessen Trust for Public Lands Riverkeeper E.J. McAdams Cecil Corbin-Mark New York City Audubon West Harlem Environmental Action Ned Sullivan Rob Pariani Scenic Hudson Regional Plan Association



Hudson River Greenway Link Background A coalition of Environmental and Waterfront Revitalization organizations requested that Senators Schumer and Clinton support project funding for the Hudson River Greenway Link in the Federal Transportation Legislation that was enacted in 2005 (see attached letter request). The Senators were successful in securing $1 million in the Transportation Improvements section of the Legislation as Project 311 designating that the funds to be used for: “Planning and Interim Improvements for the Manhattan, Bronx, Yonkers Hudson River Greenway Link.” Proposed Organization for Hudson River Greenway Link Planning

The Coalition of Environmental and Waterfront Revitalization organizations proposes that the funds provided by the 2005 Federal Transportation Bill for Hudson River Greenway Link by expended through a grant from DOT to Trust for Public Land (TPL). TPL will produce a report and plan for developing the Hudson River Greenway Link running from the northern tip of Manhattan, through The Bronx and into Yonkers, ending above the Beczak Environmental Education Center. The expenditure of funds and the development of the plan will be directed by a Governing Board and advised by the Advisory Committee members (as defined below). The Governing Board will operate under by-laws that require a majority vote for action, will meet at least quarterly and all meetings will be conducted as open meetings. Members of the Advisory Committee will receive periodic (at least twice per year) briefings on the planning effort, will be the primary resource for forming sub-committees to address planning issues, and will be invited to join meetings of the Governing Board and to participate as non-voting members. We will invite the Cooperating Agencies to join the planning effort and to participate in the work of the sub-committees. Responsible Agency State DOT/NYMTC Governing Board NYC City Parks Department Bronx Official City of Yonkers Westchester County Trust for Public Land Scenic Hudson Friends of the Hudson River Greenway in the Bronx Bronx NGO

1


Hudson River Valley Greenway Link Advisory Committee Riverdale Nature Preservancy Wave Hill Spuyten Duyvil Association Mount Saint Vincent Community Board 8, The Bronx Bronx Elected Officials Adolfo Carrion – Borough President

Oliver Koppell – City Council Jeff Dinowitz – Assemblyman Eric Schneiderman - Senator Elliot Engel – Congressman

Westchester Elected Officials Senator Nick Spano Assemblyman Gary Pretlow Assemblyman Louis Mosiello Assemblyman Richard Brodsky

Congressman Eliot Engel Inwood Park Association Regional Plan Association Waterfront Park Coalition NYers for Parks Riverdale Yacht Club Sugar Factory Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance Natural Resources Defense Council New York League of Conservation Voters Open Space Institute Riverside South Planning Corporation New York City Audubon Friends of Hudson River Park Riverkeeper West Harlem Environmental Action Cooperating Agencies MTA/Metro North Amtrak Department of Environmental Conservation City Planning Department of State

2



1

Draft Scope of Work for the Hudson River Greenway Link

Federal Legislation enacted in 2005, The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, provides $1 million for planning and interim improvements for the Manhattan, Bronx, Yonkers Hudson River Greenway Link, extending from the northern tip of Manhattan, through the Bronx, to the Beczak Environmental Education Center in Yonkers. The purpose of this document is to define the work and product that will constitute the planning funded by the legislation. Once the planning effort has adequately progressed, a second effort will be initiated to define and implement “interim improvements” that can be accomplished with the funds remaining after the planning has been fully funded. Except to suggest the sequence, process and organizational considerations and how they relate to the planning, this document will not address the interim improvements to be funded by the Federal funding and the required matching funds. This scope of work is organized in the following sections:

• Organization of the Effort • Definition of the Tasks and Interim and Final Products • Schedule and Sequence of Activities (Attachment 2) • Budget (Attachment 3)

Organization of the Effort

Organization of the Hudson River Greenway Link Planning

Advisory Committee

Administrative

Railroad Consultant Park Planning Consultant Habitat Consultant

Project Director

Governing Board

Responsible AgencyNYSDOT/NYMTC

The Plan and related reports will be produced under the direction of a public/private Governing Board, which will be made up of representatives of NYC Parks Department, a



2

Bronx elected official, the Mayor of Yonkers, Westchester County, two local NGOs (probably the Friends of the Hudson River Greenway in the Bronx), and two area-wide NGO’s (Trust for Public Land (TPL) and Scenic Hudson). We propose that the NYSDOT/NYMTC grant the funds to the TPL, a non-profit, which will act as fiscal agent for a Governing Board and provide project direction. TPL will be funded to provide a Project Director and an Administrative Assistant to organize and schedule the planning effort and to implement the decisions of the Governing Board. TPL will contract for services through a competitive process and produce a report and plan for developing the Hudson River Greenway under the direction of the Governing Board. The Governing Board will operate under by-laws that require a majority vote for action, will meet at least quarterly and all meetings will be conducted as open meetings. We plan to engage a number of additional NGOs, local officials, railroad agencies and pertinent government agencies in the planning process through an Advisory Committee. Attachment 1 is a starting list for the Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee will receive periodic (at least twice per year) briefings on the planning effort, will be the primary resource for forming sub-committees to address planning issues, and will be invited to join meetings of the Governing Board and to participate as non-voting members. Definition of Tasks and Interim and Final Products Task 1: Formation of the Governing Board Working with the NYMTC, the Project Director will enlist the participation of the Governing Board members, propose a mission statement and by-laws for the operation of the Governing Board, and develop a Project Work Plan for the effort. Task 2: Formation of the Advisory Committee Working with the NYMTC and members of the Governing Board, the Project Director will propose a list of Advisory Committee members and issue invitations to an agreed upon list of potential members. The Project Director will develop a proposed organization (including proposed sub-committee agendas), definition of work and schedule for the Advisory Committee. Task 3: Initial Organizing Meeting of the Governing Board The Project Director, in consultation with NYMTC and the Governing Board members, will schedule and organize an initial meeting of the Governing Board. The tentative agenda for this meeting will include:

• Mission Statement and By-laws • Advisory Committee membership and mandates



3

• Presentations on related Planning Efforts – Westchester, NYC, Yonkers and others.

• Presentations on existing conditions information such as existing GIS information • Initial Consideration of the definition of the Project Boundaries and the Study

Boundaries • Initial consideration of the Project Work Plan • Initial Consideration of the consulting resources needed to complete the Plan and

the structure of the RFPs • Consideration of plans for Project Direction – responsibilities of the Project

Director and the budget for Project Direction. Task 4: Convene the Initial joint meeting of the Governing Board and the Advisory Committee The Project Director, in consultation with NYMTC and the Governing Board members, will schedule and organize an initial joint meeting of the Governing Board and Advisory Committee. The tentative agenda for this meeting will include:

• Brief on the mission and organization of the Governing Board • Presentation on the proposed organization and schedule for the Advisory

Committee. • Presentations on related Planning Efforts and existing planning guidelines and

standards – Westchester, NYC, Yonkers and others. • Presentations on existing conditions information such as existing GIS information • Presentation on the Project Boundaries and the Study Boundaries • Discussion of the Public Process and schedule

Task 5: Develop Request for Proposal (RFP) for the consideration of the Governing Board Based on the discussions in the initial two meetings the Projector Director will prepare draft qualification requirements and RFPs for consideration of the Governing Board. The RFPs will include but not be limited to the following work:

• Define Existing Conditions including: - Identification of ownership status of any lands to be incorporated into the

design. Incorporate this information into GIS map. - Transportation systems (truck, car, bus, ferry, train, recreational and

commercial vessels, pedestrian, bicycle paths, etc.) that serve the area, including other Greenways

- Adjacent land and water uses. - Zoning and local waterfront revitalization program designations. - Map topography - Natural resources and open space features including wildlife viewing, boat

launches, fishing access, piers, and community gardens. - Map view corridors and view sheds. - Historic and archeological resources including city, state, and federal districts



4

and sites. - Cultural waterfront attractions. - Relevant structures, buildings, or facilities on or adjacent to the site. - Proposed development plans and projects affecting the site. - Current size, length, and width of each potential greenway segment as well as

the ideal space requirements for the proposed multi-use path. - Review of state, NYC, Yonkers and Westchester greenway designs,

guidelines and standards for accessories such as benches, signs, etc. - Trees and other plants

• Define the needs of the Metro North and Amtrak including the need for Track 6, and evaluate the potential impact of removing Track 6. Define the need for fencing and an access road. Develop and evaluate an operating model for the Spuyten Duyvil swing bridge.

• Land Acquisition -Identify parcels of land that must be purchased in order to build the park, identify the ownership and estimate the cost of the land.

• Park Plan – Develop two alternative plans, one assuming that Track 6 is removed and an alternative that assumes Track 6 stays in place. Plans are to include walking path, bike path, landscaping, fishing piers, sitting areas, access points (potentially including boat access), definition of parking requirements and recommendations for parking capacity, specification of park accessories and the need for public toilets, and recommended locations for public art.

• Water Habitat Plan - Define existing habitat and examine the impact on the habitat of piers that might be necessary to support boardwalks.

• Estimate Capital Cost for each element of the Park. • Develop an Operating and Maintenance plan for the proposed Park, including costs. • Develop a Security and Emergency Access plan for the Park, including costs. • Develop a plan for informing the local public about the Planning Process and the

emerging Plan in a manner and on a schedule that will ensure that the plan is fully informed by the local public’s suggestions, opinions and concerns.

Task 6: Convene Second meeting of the Governing Board Governing Board to consider and approve:

• Project and Study Boundaries • Work plan and schedule • List of pre-qualified bidders • RFPs • Budget Plan

Task 7: Issue RFPs and evaluate proposals The Project Director, working with a subcommittee of the Governing Board will issue the RPPs, receive and evaluate proposals and develop recommendations for the Governing Board.



5

Task 8: Board approval of contracts Convene a meeting of the Governing Board to consider recommendations for contractors and contracts. Task 9: Supervise and Coordinate the Work of Contractors The Project Director will supervise and coordinate the work of the contractors and the interaction between the contractors, subcommittees of the Governing and Advisory Boards and the public. Task 10: Develop recommendations for Interim Improvements The Project Director will develop an inventory of ideas for interim improvements, recommend criteria for setting priorities among the potential improvements, and recommend alternative improvements and cost estimates for consideration of the Governing Board. Task 11:Receive Initial analysis and recommendations from contractors The Contractors will brief the Governing Board and Advisory Committee on the results of their analysis and their initial recommendations. The Governing Board will specify the alternative designs and material that will be presented to the public. Task 12: Initiate Public Participation Process The Project Director will lead a series of public meeting that have been specified in the Public Participation Plan and the Contractor will document public’s ideas, opinions, concerns and suggestions. Task 13: Submit Final Reports The Contractors will submit final reports, plans and recommendations to the Project Director for presentation to the Governing Board and the Advisory Committee. After considering the final material from the Contractors and receiving advise from the Advisory Committee, the Governing Board will adopt a final plan Task 14: Develop an Implementation Plan Based on the final plan adopted by the Governing Board, the Project Director, working with the Contractors will develop a detailed implementation plan that incorporates the approved interim improvements and a funding plan. Task 15: Governing Board considers and approves the Implementation Plan



6

Attachment 1 Advisory Committee for the Hudson Rive Greenway Link Planning

Riverdale Nature Preservancy Wave Hill Spuyten Duyvil Association Mount Saint Vincent Community Board 8, The Bronx Bronx Elected Officials

Adolfo Carrion – Borough President Oliver Koppell – City Council Jeff Dinowitz – Assemblyman Eric Schneiderman - Senator Eliot Engel – Congressman

Westchester Elected Officials City Council President Chuck Lesnick

Senator Nick Spano Assemblyman Gary Pretlow Assemblyman Louis Mosiello Assemblyman Richard Brodsky

Congressman Eliot Engel Inwood Park Association Regional Plan Association Waterfront Park Coalition NYers for Parks Riverdale Yacht Club Sugar Factory Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance Natural Resources Defense Council New York League of Conservation Voters Open Space Institute Riverside South Planning Corporation New York City Audubon Friends of Hudson River Park Riverkeeper West Harlem Environmental Action Cooperating Agencies MTA/Metro North Amtrak Department of Environmental Conservation City Planning Department of State



7

Attachment 2: Schedule for Hudson River Greenway Link Planning

Task 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 5th Quarter 1. Formation of the Governing Board X 2. Formation of the Advisory Committee X 3. Initial Organizing Meeting of the Governing Board X 4. Joint meeting of the Governing Board and the Advisory Committee X 5. Develop Request for Proposal X 6. Board approval of Project Boundaries, Schedule, RFPs, and Budget X 7. Issue RFPs, evaluate proposals X 8. Board approval of contracts X 9. Supervise and coordinate contractors XXXX XXXXXX 10. Develop Recommendations for Interim Improvements X 11. Receive Initial analysis and recommendations from contractors X 12. Public Participation process X 13. Submit Final Reports X 14. Develop Implementation Plan X 15. Governing Board meets to consider and approve Implementation Plan X



8

Attachment 3: Initial Budget for the Hudson River Greenway Link Planning

Budget Item Cost Project Director* $214,500 Administrative Assistant** $43,750 Park Planning Consultant $250,000 Railroad Consultant $50,000 Habitat Consultant $100,000 Financial and Accounting (5%) $60,000 Expenses $50,000

Planning Subtotal $768,250 Interim Improvements $431,750

Total $1,200,000 * $150 per hour X 22 hrs/week X 65 weeks ** $35,000 per year X 1.25 years


Andrew J. Spano County Executive

Michaelian Office Building 148 Martine Avenue White Plains, New York 10601 Telephone: (914) 995-2900 Fax: (914) 995-3113 www.westchestergov.com

February 17, 2006 Thomas J. Madison, Jr. Commissioner NYS Department of Transportation 50 Wolf Road Albany, NY 12232 Dear Commissioner Madison: I recently received a briefing from Paul Elston, representing a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), concerning the provision of $1 million in the Federal Transportation Legislation for planning of a Hudson River Greenway Link extending from the northern tip of Manhattan, through the Bronx, to the Beczak Environmental Center in Yonkers. The legislation also provides that the funds can be used for interim improvements. The NGOs worked with Senators Schumer and Clinton to secure the funding (see the attached letter to the Senators) and they are proposing a public/private Governing Board, which will be made up of representatives of NYC Parks Department, a Bronx elected official, the Mayor of Yonkers, Westchester County, two local NGO’s (probably the Friends of the Hudson River Greenway in the Bronx and the Beczak Environmental Educational Center), and two area-wide NGO’s (Trust for Public Land (TPL) and Scenic Hudson). They are asking the NYSDOT to grant the funds to the TPL, a non-profit, which will act as fiscal agent for a Governing Board and provide project direction. TPL will contract for services through a completive process and produce a report and plan for developing the Hudson River Greenway under the direction of the Governing Board. They also have plans to engage a number of additional NGOs, local officials, railroad agencies and pertinent government agencies in the planning process through an Advisory. To the extent that funds remain after the planning process, the balance will be used for the clean up of waste and other interim improvements at the waterfront. I am writing to express our enthusiastic support for both the Greenway Link and the proposed public/private Governing Board to oversee the expenditure of funds and the planning. Because the Greenway Link will extend through multiple municipalities, we think the specifics of the Governing Board makeup are appropriate. As you know, Westchester has developed a detailed plan for the Hudson River Greenway within Westchester and we believe the proposed link can and should be compatible with that plan. We believe the Greenway Link that will connect our waterfront with the waterfront in our neighboring communities will complement and enhance our own efforts. We look forward to working with you and your staff on this important project and we hope it will enjoy your support. Sincerely,

Andrew J. Spano County Executive

The Honorable Andrew J . Spano County Executive Westchester County Michealian Office Building White Plaines, New York 10601

STATE OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

ALBANY, NY 12232 www.dot.state .ny.us

THOMAS J . MADfSON, JR,

GEORGE E . PATAKI COMMISSIONER

GOVERNOR

Dear Mr. Spano :

il 21, 2006

Thank you for your letter regarding the Hudson River Greenway Link, which received a $1 million earmark in the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act : A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-1,U) . Your letter requests that the Department grant the funds to the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a private non-profit non-governmental organization, to function as the project manager for the Hudson River Greenway Link Project.

I am pleased to report that TPL has agreed to our suggestion to expedite the first phase of the project, the planning study . We have suggested that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), the metropolitan planning organization for the region on which you serve, function as project sponsor . There are several advantages to having NYMTC function as the public sponsor.

NYMTC is the one public entity with statutory responsibility for regional transportation planning for the entire area affected by the project . They have expressed a willingness to assume project sponsor responsibilities .

NYMTC can accelerate the delivery of the Hudson River Greenway Link project. The State can first instance the funding for the planning study administratively through NYMTC, thus expediting project start-up .

The stakeholders are already familiar with NYMTC and many public sector stakeholders are members of NYMTC. I am confident that NYMTC can facilitate and expedite the development of a plan that reflects the goals of all the stakeholders and sets forth an

ementation strategy that clarifies roles and responsibilities of the municipalities for construction of each project identified in the plan .

I appreciate the hard work that has been invested in developing the project proposal b Paul Elston. TPL and the other environmental organizations .

This project cannot be

The Honorable Andrew J . Spano Page 2

a success without the continued leadership of Paul Elston and the active participation o all of the other governmental and nongovernmental organizations .

I have requested that Joel Ettinger, Executive Director of NYMTC, reach out to Paul Elston to begin developing the project scope, cost and schedule.

I look forward to the results of this planning and preliminary design project . Please feel free to contact me at 5181457-4422 or Joel Ettinger at NYMTC, 2121383-7236 .

cc :

Senator Charles Schumer Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Paul Elston, TPL Joel Ettinger, NYMTC

Thomlas J . 11 adi on Commissioner i

THOMAS J . MADISON, JR . COMM ;SStONER

Honorable Philip A. Amicone aver

City of Yonkers City Hall Yonkers, NY 10701

Dear Mayor Amicone :

STATE OF DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

12232 e .ny.us

April 21 . 2006

GEORGE E . PATAKI GOVERNOR

Thank you for your letter regarding the Hudson River Greenway Link, which received a $1 million earmark in the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) . Your letter requests that the Department grant the funds to the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a private non-profit non-governmental organization, to function as the project manager for the Hudson River Greenway Link Project .

I am pleased to report that TPL has agreed to our suggestion to expedite the first phase of the project, the planning study . We have suggested that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), the metropolitan planning organization for the region on which you serve, function as project sponsor . 'there are several advantages to having NYMTC function as the public sponsor .

TC is the one public entity with statutory responsibility for regional transportation planning for the entire area affected by the project. They have expressed a willingness to assume project sponsor responsibilities .

NYMTC can accelerate the delivery of the Hudson River Greenway Link project . The State can first instance the funding for the planning study administratively through NYMTC, thus expediting project start-up .

The stakeholders are already familiar with NYMTC and many public sector stakeholders are members of NYMTC . I am confident that NYMTC can facilitate and expedite the development of a plan that reflects the goals of all the stakeholders and sets forth an implementation strategy that clarifies roles and responsibilities of the municipalities for construction of each project identified in the plan .

appreciate the hard work that has been invested in developing the project proposal by aul Elston, TPL and the other environmental organizations .

This project cannot be a

The Honorable Philip A. Amieone Page 2

success without the continued leadership of Paul Elston and the active participation of all of the other governmental and nongovernmental organizations .

I have requested that Joel Ettinger, Executive Director of NYMTC, reach out to Paul Elston to begin developing the project scope, cost and schedule.

I look forward to the results of this planning and preliminary design project . Please feel free to contact me at 518/457-4422 or Joel Ettinger at NYMTC, 212/383-7236 .

cc :

Senator Charles Schumer Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Paul Elston, TPL Joel Ettinger, NYMTC

Thomas J. Madison Commissione

Documents

Contract C000761 Hudson River Valley Greenway Link · 2008. 8. 23. · Hudson River Valley Greenway Link Hudson River Greenway Link Background A coalition of Environmental and Waterfront