Linking together the city’s waterfrontPoughkeepsie Connected
Can’t go through it,can’t go under it...
How do we get from here...
...to here?we’ve got to go...
Kaal Rock ConnectorHistory of the Project
Past Planning Projects1. Local Waterfront Redevelopment Plan
•Completed in 1989; Updated in 1998•Called for a waterfront greenway•Recommended going around the rock
2. Comprehensive Plan•Completed 1998•Need to improve Kaal Rock Park•Improving connections is essential to success
3. Main St Corridor Action Plan•Completed 2012•Need to improve Kaal Rock Park•Improving connections is essential to success•Proposed both over and around the rock
4. Waterfront Redevelopment Strategy•Completed 2015•Goal 3: Complete Waterfront Trail•Recommended going around Kaal Rock
Kaal Rock ConnectorProject Goals
Project Goals1. Increase access and use of the waterfront parks
a. Provide continuous ADA-accessible waterfront greenwayb. Improve access into northern end of Kaal Rock Parkc. Improve public safety in Kaal Rock Parkd. Provide unique views of the Highland/Lloyd SASS
2. Minimize physical, visual, and environmental impactsa. Minimize site disturbanceb. Preserve usable park space
3. Create a unique architectural elementa. Provide a draw for visitors and residentsb. Complement existing 19th and 20th century bridgesc. Attracts donations for capital costs
Kaal Rock ConnectorFeasibility Study
Kaal Rock ConnectorConsidered Alternatives
Final Alternatives1. Suspended
•Easiest to use, most accessible design•Concerns with Coastal Consistency•Potential visual impacts•Middle cost
2. Cantilevered•Easy to use, accessible design•Requires walking bicycles•Potential concerns with Coastal Consistency•Potential environmental impacts•Potential physical and visual impacts•Highest Cost
3. Switchback•Accessible design•Longer trail and higher climb•Potential physical and visual impacts•Lowest cost
Not Recommended1. Floating Walkway
•Environmental Impacts•High cost of operation•Not usable year-round
2. Causeway•Environmental Impacts•Ice shear during the winter
3. Bus•Does not improve ADA-access in the park
4. Improved Sidewalks•Does not improve ADA-access in the park
5. Elevator•High cost of operation and maintenance•Difficult to use year round
6. Free-Standing Ramp•Difficult to use year round
Kaal Rock ConnectorFinal Alternatives Routes
Suspended
Switchback
Cantilevered
Kaal Rock ConnectorFinal Alternatives Summary
ALTERNATIVES ADVANTAGES CRITICAL ISSUE NOTES
Cantilever
Suspended
Switchback
COST EST.•ADA/bike-friendly•User experience•Design
opportunity•Public safety•Low site disturbance•Shortest route
•Potential Impacts to docking
•Potential visual impact
•Coastal Consistency
•Add a 21st century walkway to complement the 19th & 20th century bridges
•Construction: $$$$
•Maintenance: $
•ADA-friendly•User experience•Design
opportunity
•Rock climbing•Falling rock•Potential visual
Imact•Limited sightlines•Physical
disturbance
•Keeps many of the advantages of the Suspended option
•Reduces coastal consistency concerns
•Construction: $$$$$
•Maintenance: $$
•ADA-accessible•Structurally
simple•Avoids Walkway•Landscape
opportunity
•Potential visual impact
•Site disturbance•Significantly
longer•Physical difficulty
•Limits coastal consistency concerns
•Takes people around the backside of the rock
•Construction: $$$
•Maintenance: $
Kaal Rock ConnectorSuspended Design Alternative
Site Plan Northern Cut/Fill Southern Cut/Fill Case Study
Rendering
• ADA/bike-friendly• Easy, gentle approach• Low site disturbance• Shortest route• Unique, dynamic relationship with river• Complements the existing 19th & 20th century bridges
with a unique 21st century design• Construction: $$$$• Maintenance: $
Kaal Rock ConnectorCantilevered Design Alternative
Site Plan Northern Cut/Fill Southern Cut/Fill Case Study
Rendering
• ADA/bike-friendly• Easy, gentle approach• Low site disturbance• Shortest route• Unique, dynamic relationship with river• Retains some advantages of the Suspended option• Reduces coastal consistency concerns• Construction: $$$$$• Maintenance: $$
Kaal Rock ConnectorSwitchback Design Alternative
Site Plan Bird’s-eye Cut/Fill Southern Cut/Fill Case Study
Rendering
• ADA-accessible• Easy, gentle approach• Significant site disturbance• Longest route• Limitss coastal consistency concerns• Opportunity for unique landscaping• Construction: $$$• Maintenance: $
Kaal Rock ConnectorFinal Alternatives Summary
ALTERNATIVES ADVANTAGES CRITICAL ISSUE NOTES
Cantilever
Suspended
Switchback
COST EST.•ADA/bike-friendly•User experience•Design
opportunity•Public safety•Low site disturbance•Shortest route
•Potential Impacts to docking
•Potential visual impact
•Coastal Consistency
•Add a 21st century walkway to complement the 19th & 20th century bridges
•Construction: $$$$
•Maintenance: $
•ADA-friendly•User experience•Design
opportunity
•Rock climbing•Falling rock•Potential visual
Imact•Limited sightlines•Physical
disturbance
•Keeps many of the advantages of the Suspended option
•Reduces coastal consistency concerns
•Construction: $$$$$
•Maintenance: $$
•ADA-accessible•Structurally
simple•Avoids Walkway•Landscape
opportunity
•Potential visual impact
•Site disturbance•Significantly
longer•Physical difficulty
•Limits coastal consistency concerns
•Takes people around the backside of the rock
•Construction: $$$
•Maintenance: $
Which option best serves the city and its residents?
Why is it the best option?
Kaal Rock ConnectorCore Question
Any questions?We are happy to answer any you may
have about each of the options.
Kaal Rock ConnectorQuestions and Answers
Kaal Rock ConnectorVisual Impact Assessment
Suspended from Mid-Hudson Bridge Cantilever from Mid-Hudson Bridge Switchback from Mid-Hudson Bridge
Suspended from across the river Cantilever from across the river Switchback from across the river
Suspended from Walkway Over the Hudson Cantilever from Walkway Over the Hudson Switchback from Walkway Over the Hudson
Kaal Rock ConnectorSuspended from Mid-Hudson Bridge
Kaal Rock ConnectorCantilevered from Mid-Hudson Bridge
Kaal Rock ConnectorSwitchback from Mid-Hudson Bridge
Kaal Rock ConnectorSuspended from Across the River
Kaal Rock ConnectorCantilevered from Across the River
Kaal Rock ConnectorSwitchback from Across the River
Kaal Rock ConnectorSuspended from Walkway
Kaal Rock ConnectorCantilevered from Walkway
Kaal Rock ConnectorSwitchback from Walkway