The Next Step

Design Development, Phase II

 

  • • Archeological / Historical -commission archeological study with site sampling as required by accepted criteria; compile historical material and report of relevance to project development and decision making

    • Security, Control and Monitoring Systems - Systems for the use of canal and associated amenities. Definition of public versus private spaces

    • Canal Flow and Level Control Systems - locks, flood gates, design elevation of waterline in relation to adjacent street/sidewalks/open grounds

    • Traffic Impact Analysis -based on reconfigured street systems and 1-787 freeway ramps/access roads

    • Utilities Relocation Feasibility - water, wastewater, storm drains and other utilities

    • Flow Augmentation and Control from Other Water Sources -Empire State Plaza water system, Patroon Creek, other

    • Sedimentation and Dredging - particularly as it affects the upper harbor/marina scheme

  • Based on rough take-off quantities in different functional elements. Below is a preliminary list of elements:

    • Site Acquisition, if essential to project

    • Demolition, site preparation

    • Utility relocation by specific affected utilities identified on site

    • Highway/bridge and pier construction, reconstruction and relocation

    • New canal construction by individual component items - walls, channel, gates, locks, control systems

    • Marine-oriented items such as docks, piers, slips

    • Amenities such as kiosks, entry/control buildings

    • Sidewalk/plaza area improvements by broad types

    • Comprehensive lighting system and its overall control console and housing

    • Public concessions, bathrooms and other amen

  • A comprehensive impact analysis on the local and regional economy should be part of this study. Such a study could include, but not limited to:

    • Short-term construction impact; construction and related seIVice job gains, job losses and other negative disturbance impact on local business, traffic disturbance impact

    • Permanent short and long-term direct impact on employment, retail, services and tourism

    • Indirect short and long-term impact based on local multiplier

    • Local and state net property and other tax impacts, short and long-term

    • Induced impact for new development and redevelopment in the adjacent areas -quantification of such potential impacts by site/building/activity type, gross leasable areas, volume of activity and employment generation, local net property and other tax impacts.

  • Proposed Capital Project Funding & Organizational Structure

    Based on capital cost and economic analysis, a proposed project financing scheme is to be advanced identifying public and private funding sources by specific type; type of bond financing and how underwritten, forecast operations balance sheet for a minimum period of twenty years (include forecasts of user charges and revenues, revenues from leasing of retail and other spaces; forecasts of O&M costs by sub-unit of canal system; include annualized debt service in expense column). Review and analysis of need for creation of a special purpose organizational entity for project development and on-going operations management (ie Albany Canal Corporation) - if deemed appropriate, its organizational structure, charter/mandate, roles, responsibilities and accountability to the local government entity.

  • A comprehensive environmental impact assessment needs to be prepared, integrating the findings from the above sections, to cover the full scope of the proposed project.

  • Cost & Timetable

    Based on the above scope of work that needs to be undertaken in Phase II, a project cost estimate needs to be prepared. On schedule, a comprehensive study, as outlined above, is likely to require a minimum of eight months to complete, including review and formal approvals.