Waterfront redevelopment concepts to be discussed

The extension of East Avenue would improve traffic flow in the Spencerport Plaza area, according to Al Scheg. The former village administrator, Scheg is working part time on a unique project which, among other things, would establish thematic standards and concept layouts for future developments. The Southside Waterfront Redevelopment Conception Plan would include a link with what is now an exit road from the plaza with Lyell Avenue by a road in the area along the former railroad bed, in the far distance in this photo. Photo by Walter Horylev.

Waterfront redevelopment concepts to be discussed

The compilation of a "living, breathing" document that outlines the future of the Village of Spencerport's southside waterfront redevelopment will be discussed at a public input workshop. The project being talked about would encompass areas next to the Erie Canal, plus 100 feet north; Union Street, plus 100 feet to the west; Lyell Avenue plus 100 feet to the south; and Hickory Hollow complex in Ogden to the east.

When Al Scheg was still the village administrator with Spencerport, he said there were 30 initiatives that came to focus.

"Some were very large capital projects, some were smaller concepts that had to do with the overall 'feel' and look of the village," he said.

Scheg, who is serving as the project director for this initiative, said the village wants to come up with a coordinated effort for development. "We can deal with items piecemeal or we can deal with them in a group in a logical fashion."

"Plan" preparations, as delivered in a presentation to the village board in April, will take about one year to complete. Public agencies and private developers will pursue work in the area in a multi-phased fashion relative to individual project schedules, and as money becomes available. Scheg said that seven to 10 years is a reasonable target for full implementation of the plan.

Village of Spencerport Mayor Ted Walker said the plan has primarily identified some issues that the village would like to address.

"We have infrastructure, some water issues that need addressing under the plan," he said. "The Genesee Planning Council came in and conducted some traffic and walkability surveys and identified that the plaza is not easily seen and now that we have the trolley station moved, we're looking to develop the whole plaza section in that area of the village."

Any planning - from installation of park benches to welcome signs to capital road improvements - will be studied under the plan and will be administered in a controlled, specific way - one that fits with the village's vision for its future, Scheg said.

"This planning effort takes the recommendations of previous documents and activates it into a working plan," he said. "We've taken intangibles and are turning them into tangibles when it comes to development in the village."

Once a plan is put into place, Walker said, everything still hinges on funding before any project could be considered.

"We'd have to look at grants, public and private money to complete any of the projects," he said. "Right now we are being proactive in making plans and as we get the money we can begin implementation."

The catalysts behind the concept plans are the Genesee Transportation Council, the village's steering committee, citizens, various public agencies and design professionals, Scheg said. There is a $17,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Fund, $5,000 from the Genesee Transportation Council and $17,000 from the Village of Spencerport in in-kind services. The $39,000, Scheg said, is strictly for the plan initiation.

"This will be a very comprehensive plan that will include measurable immediate successes as well as implementing intermediate and long-range plans," he said. "As an example, the installation of park benches on the canal or the construction of a 'welcome' sign could be immediate items while looking into road projects would be part of the long-range plans."

The ultimate goal with the Concept Plan is to:

Create a community-based vision for development of Spencerport (and Ogden's) waterfront neighborhoods
Establish architectural standards which promote Spencerport as a canal community
Develop a plan detailing both public and private initiatives in the study area, including recommendations for improved vehicular and pedestrian amenities
And encourage the growth and vitality of the village's central business district.

As with most plans, Scheg said, three things are needed: time, motivation and money.

"One of the most important parts of this plan is that it is grassroots," he said. "It's important that the residents have input and offer us their ideas."

"It's a good thing for us to take a look at our community as a whole and to know what our vision is, not just for the southside redevelopment, but for the whole village," he said.

Walker said village officials are hoping the public will participate in the planning process.

"We're hoping they will come to the meeting and share their ideas and that we can roll them all into one common plan," he said.

The meeting, to gather public input, will be Wednesday, November 30 at 7 p.m. at 1 Fireman's Park.