2017 Downtown Revitalization Initiative City of Amsterdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative BASIC INFORMATION Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Region: Mohawk Valley REDC Municipality Name: City of Amsterdam, New York Downtown Name: City of Amsterdam: Reclaiming the Waterfront County: Montgomery County Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook bridge connecting the Southside downtown and Riverlink Park Vision for Downtown. Provide a brief statement of the municipality’s vision for downtown revitalization. The City of Amsterdam is Reclaiming their Waterfront in order to be “Made of Something Stronger!” With an aggressive push towards redevelopment projects that foster growth within the city limits, along with public and private investment partnerships the City is no longer a bedroom community, but a place where people can live, work, and play. Through the commitment of ongoing projects like the adaptive re-use of our downtown buildings into mixed use facilities, to the microenterprise grant program that will help start- up businesses and existing businesses to flourish, the Sanford Clock Tower’s new business incubator space, the opening of the Amsterdam Castle into a boutique hotel and tourist destination, and the multi-modal facility relocation project are all helping to transform the City’s urban core for generations to come. Private and public investors alike are beginning to call Amsterdam home with KCG Development investing in the former Chalmers Knitting Mill site, which will bring employment opportunities, a banquet facility, restaurant, and shops. The new Sentinel of Amsterdam assisted living facility, set to open shortly, will bring over 80 new employment opportunities, the brand-new Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge that connects Main Street and the Southside, while resting above our beautiful waterfront, brings family and friends of all ages together to celebrate Amsterdam’s rebirth. The City of Amsterdam is reclaiming its waterfront and we are on our way to be called the new vibrant city of the Mohawk Valley. InIt II WinIt Productions, with Joe Calderone, created a video showcasing the many reasons why our community is a great place to live, work, and play, here (See Attachment A: Made of Something Stronger Video). Justification. Provide an overview of the downtown, highlighting the area’s defining characteristics and the reasons for its selection. Explain why the downtown is ready for Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) investment, and how that investment would serve as a catalyst to bring about revitalization. The revamped and compact City of Amsterdam’s 2017 Downtown Revitalization Initiative boundary encompasses the concentrated downtown core that was historically formed by the Erie Canal and its tributary, the Chuctanunda Creek. The area is the traditional waterfront district for the City, with the Mohawk River running through the middle of the catchment area, and development occurring on both sides of the river and along the creek. Presently, the City of Amsterdam's waterfront DRI target area encompasses less than 4% of the City’s total boundary area; containing approximately 50 businesses and employing more than 900 people. The area includes diverse housing options, healthy and affordable food markets, retail shops and eateries, multi-modal transit, recreational facilities, a multitude of healthcare services, and various entertainment venues. With over $105 million recently invested by both the public and private sectors and $42 million invested in the past year, Amsterdam’s downtown revival has already begun. However, deteriorating infrastructure, a surplus of abandoned properties, scattered areas of blight, and the long-lasting repercussions felt by community members in the wake of a past collapsing economy, can cause the revitalization efforts of this once booming city to feel at times like an overwhelmingly daunting task. While remarkable strides have been made in recent years, and can surely catalyze future progress, Amsterdam is still in great need of assistance to propel the community through some of the last uphill strides. $10 million can certainly help any city to grow and prosper, however, with the scope of unique challenges faced by a community of Amsterdam’s size; this amount of revitalization funding would be positively transformational. NEW YORK STATE 2017 DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MOHAWK VALLEY REDC City of Amsterdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative City of Amsterdam: Reclaiming the Waterfront TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Boundaries of the Downtown Neighborhood…………………………………………………………………..Page 7 2. Catchment Area……………………………………………………………………….…………………………….….…Page 11 3. Past Investments & Future Investment Potential…………………………………………………….…….Page 14 4. Recent or Impending Job Growth………………..……………..………………………………...…………….…Page 26 5. Attractiveness of Physical Environment……………………...……………………………………..…………Page 34 6. Quality of Life Policies ………………………………….……………………………………………………………..Page 44 7. Support for the Local Vision……………………………………………………………………………..………….Page 49 8. Readiness………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….Page 55 9. Administrative Capacity…………………..…………………………………………………………….…………….Page 58 10. Other…………………………………………………………….……………………………………………..……………Page 60 Attachments * Pictures were taken by MCBDC and City of Amsterdam staff, Rich Kwak, Mark Perfetti, and Gerald Skrocki City of Amsterdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative Page 6 Downtown Identification City of Amsterdam: Reclaiming the Waterfront 1. Boundaries of the Downtown Neighborhood. Detail the boundaries of the targeted neighborhood, keeping in mind that there is no minimum or maximum size, but that the neighborhood should be concentrated and well-defined. Core neighborhoods beyond a traditional downtown or central business district are eligible, if they can meet other criteria making them ripe for investment. Attach a map that clearly delineates the downtown neighborhood. City of Amsterdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative Page 7 Downtown Identification City of Amsterdam: Reclaiming the Waterfront City of Amsterdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative Page 8 Downtown Identification City of Amsterdam: Reclaiming the Waterfront The revamped and compact City of Amsterdam’s 2017 Downtown Revitalization Initiative boundary encompasses the concentrated downtown core that was historically formed by the Erie Canal and its tributary the Chuctanunda Creek. The area is the traditional waterfront district for the City, with the Mohawk River running through the middle of the catchment area, and development occurring on both sides of the river and creek. Even with the great challenges that have succumbed the downtown over the past 40 years, including the area being effectively cut in half with the construction and development of the Amsterdam Mall, the city has prevailed and opportunities have been created through aggressive private and public investment. These investments include, but Chuctanunda Creek are not limited to:  Mixed use downtown redevelopment of the former Chalmers Knitting Mills industrial site at Bridge & Gilliland Streets on the Southside.  Redevelopment and renovation of a former dilapidated hotel in the city’s core, into the Sentinel of Amsterdam assisted living facility.  The conversion of the former Fiber Glass Industries building into residential condos and loft space with 126 units.  Completion of the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook (MVGO), a nearly $20 million pedestrian bridge, serving as a linear park that connects both sides of Amsterdam’s downtown waterfront areas.  Investment of over $4 million in transportation improvements to the downtown area, creating a more accessible and safer environment for both drivers and pedestrians.  Existence of many culturally ethnic related restaurants and other small businesses within the Southside and Main Street area connected by the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook.  Rapid business growth within the Sanford Clock Tower, a six-story building home to many expanding small businesses, and home to a business incubator.  Additional investment and new businesses within the Amsterdam Mall, now deemed the Riverfront Center.  New construction of a waterfront café next to the base of the Mohawk valley Gateway Overlook pedestrian bridge on the Southside.  Development of the Chuctanunda Creek trail, which establishes a greenway in the heart of the city and provides a linkage from the Erie Canalway Trail and MVGO to downtown Main Street and the recreational amenities throughout the community.  Increased marketing efforts with a campaign and strategies aimed at rebranding the city and improving its image to both residents, visitors, and the business community.  Increased code enforcement policies and modernized zoning codes to reduce blight and promote mixed use, sustainable development. City of Amsterdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative Page 9 Downtown Identification City of Amsterdam: Reclaiming the Waterfront  Restoration of the former Wrestling Hall of Fame building on Main Street into mixed use commercial/residential development. The boundary of the City’s target area has greatly decreased in our 2017 application and yet, it includes more businesses and more employees than in the past year’s target area due to the aggressive growth of private and public development within the city in that short period of time. The target area also incorporates locations that collectively provide the necessary commercial, residential, and recreational amenities that will effectively interconnect each other. City of Amsterdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative Page 10