Downtown

Revitalization
Initiative
City of Amsterdam, NY
Local Planning Committee
Meeting #6
March 13, 2019

What once was home is home again - My Amsterdam

LPC Meeting #6

Agenda
DRI – City of Amsterdam, NY
1. LPC Code of Conduct
2. DRI Timeline Recap
3. Project Evaluation Process
4. Community Engagement Process
5. Project Updates
6. Proposed Slate of Recommended Projects
7. Next Steps
• Last Community Engagement Event
• Draft & Final DRI Plan (March 29, 2019)
• State Project Selection of DRI awards (Summer 2019)
• Contracting
LPC Code of Conduct
LPC – Local Planning Committee

Local Planning Committee Code of Conduct

4
Public Planning
Engagement Process
Timeline

6PM - 8PM
Project
Evaluation
Process
1. Project Identification Process
2. Project Evaluation Stages
3. LPC Online Project Evaluation based on Criteria

5
Project Identification Process
12 Potential
Projects
based on
community
engagement
17 Potential activities
Application
Projects

5 Potential
Projects from a Projects
variety of sources proposed by
the LPC

9 Potential
New City
Projects
12 Open Call
for Projects
Submissions
Project Evaluation Stages

Pool of projects Online Evaluation Detailed 3 Project

Eliminating 4 Evaluation
originating from a Process based on Project Categories
Ineligible Projects Categories
variety of sources LPC Criteria Profiles

Project sources:
• Preliminary Application
Projects
• New City Projects
• Open Call for Projects
submissions
• Projects proposed by
LPC
• Projects originating
from community
engagement activities
The evaluation process was constantly informed by the following:
Eligible Project Types:
• Public Improvement
• Development &
Rehabilitation
• Revolving Loan or Grant
• Branding & Marketing
Criteria include:
• Alignment with DRI
Goals
• Catalytic Potential
• Project Readiness
• Co-Benefits
• Cost Effectiveness &
feasibility
• Capacity to implement
& sustain the project
Categories formed
during the online
evaluation:
• Recommended for
detailed project profile
• Potential but needs
more info
• Premature or not
appropriate for DRI
funding
• Recommended as a
pipeline project for
alternative funding
Project profiles: Categories formed after
• Project Documentation examination of project
• Public Support profiles:
• Anticipated Benefits • Recommended for DRI
Funding
• Recommended for
other funding
• Evaluated but not
recommended

• Community feedback collected through a variety of mechanisms

• Stakeholder interviews and project profiles refinement based on collected information
• Introduction of new project ideas based on LPC, city and community discussions focusing on goals and strategies
LPC Project Evaluation Criteria
1. Alignment with Vision Statement
2. Alignment with State DRI Goals
3. Alignment with Amsterdam DRI Goals
4. Alignment with existing local and regional plans.
5. Transformative Potential
6. Catalytic Potential
7. Addresses market demand and is economically feasible
8. Ability to provide sustainable impact to downtown
9. Cost Effectiveness and Feasibility
10. Clear and reasonable DRI ask
11. Potential to leverage additional private and/or public funds
12. Alternative funds available more appropriate than DRI funds
13. Clear community and economic benefits
14. Positive impact to tax revenue
15. Will positively support job growth and retention 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.
16. Positive impact to employment and workforce development
17. Public support for the project
18. Readiness, clear and realistic timeframe for implementation
19. No site control issues / resolutions identified Example of project evaluation by LPC

20. No regulatory challenges that may hinder implementation

21. Capacity to implement the project in a timely manner
22. Existing local capacity to sustain implementation
Community
Engagement
Process

9
Public Involvement

1. Monthly LPC Meetings

2. 3 Community Engagement Events
• Workshop
• Open House
• Presentation
3. Digital Community Engagement
• DRI Webpage (program information and updates)
• Online project portal
• Feedback Mechanism
4. Stakeholder Interviews
• City Aldermen
• Property Owners
• Project Sponsors
5. Common Council Meetings
6. Meetings with NYSDOT
7. Comment Cards
8. Email: cityofamsterdamdri@gmail.com
Project Updates

11
Downtown Entry Gateway
Pedestrian Connector to MVGO Bridge
Pedestrian Connector to MVGO Bridge
Pedestrian Connector to MVGO Bridge
Bridge St / Main St Enhancements
Community Center / Recreation Center
Community Center / Recreation Center
Community Center / Recreation Center
Community Center / Recreation Center
Community Center
Anticipated Jobs:
With a max of 100 children at the center
(1 employee per 10 children) = 10 FTE
employees
Operations:
- The Boys and Girls Club of the
Capital Area will run and maintain the
facility in partnership with Centro
Civico.
- They will not be charged rent and
membership dues will go towards
operations and maintenance and
programming.
Project Cost:
$1,000,000 for building renovations and
elevator and bathroom upgrades
Recreation Center
Anticipated Jobs:
Daily staff, which will include a Director (approx.
$50k/annual), 2 FTE custodial staff ($14/hr), 2-3 FTE activity
staff ($14/hr) these will be hired as city staff. Additional event
staff will be incorporated into the rate to rent the space
Operations:
- Ongoing maintenance and scheduling will be handled by
the city staff and supported through renting out the facility.
- $8,000/month – this includes all utilities (HVAC, electric,
etc)
- A single weekend tournament fetches $16,000. Additional
revenue will include memberships, other events,
concession revenue and sponsorship and advertising.
Project Cost:
$5,000,000 for enclosure and field construction
Business Incubator & STEM Education -
Amsterdam Free Library
Project Cost: Status of Other Funding:
$4,300,000 Various grants, CFA, Funding Raising, Bonding as a backup

DRI Funding Request: Project Timeframe:

1,800,000 Fall 2019

Cost breakdown:
General Conditions $ 186,000
New Construction
Concrete $ 193,000
Masonry $ 269,000
Metals $ 186,000
Wood & Plastics $ 93,000
Thermal & Moisture $ 382,000
Openings $ 115,000
Finishes $ 372,000
Equipment $ 134,000
Fire Protection $ 92,000
Plumbing $ 182,000
HVAC $ 360,000
Electrical $ 341,000
Earthwork $ 195,000

Restoration of Existing Building

Exterior Restoration $ 280,000
New Space Restored Space
Interior Restoration $ 830,000
Existing MEP $ 90,000

TOTAL $ 4,300,000
Business Incubator & STEM Education -
Amsterdam Free Library

1st Floor 2nd Floor 3rd Floor

Public
Library Meeting Deck Stacks Office Stacks Makers’ Teachers’ Community Office Meeting
Meeting
Entry Room Space Kitchen Room Space
Space

New Space Restored Space

Proposed Slate of
Recommended
Projects

24
Project Alignment to Vision and Goals
Goal 2
Goal 1 Vibrant Place-making
Waterfront Redevelopment Downtown Entry Gateway
Community Dog Park & Mid-Block
Pedestrian Connector to MVGO Bridge
Connector
Chuctanunda Creek Trail
Relocation of the Amsterdam Skate Park
Public Realm Enhancements at Chalmers
Bridge Street Utility Pole Removal
Mills Lofts
Bridge St. / Main St. Enhancements
X-Squad Business Relocation
Wayfinding, Signage, Art & Marketing
Route 5 Removal
Design Guidelines
Vision Downtown Improvement Fund

Goal 4
Goal 3 Diverse Mixed-use Core
Year-round Critical Mass
New Residents Downtown – Former Key
Chalmers Mills Lofts Banquet Facility Bank Building
Business Incubator and STEM Education - Sharpshooters Rooftop Bar
Amsterdam Free Library Sweet Canal Shop Restoration – 65
Community Center / Recreation Center Bridge Street
Southside Parking
Project Synergies
Projects Recommended for DRI Funding
Project Titles Total Project Cost DRI Funding Request
1. Pedestrian Connector to MVGO Bridge $ 5,300,000 $ 3,300,000

2. Chuctanunda Creek Trail $ 342,300 $ 288,728

3. Public Realm Enhancements at Chalmers $ 750,000 $ 522,000

Mills Lofts

4. X-Squad Business Relocation $ 60,000 $ 60,000

5. Route 5 Removal $ 547,087 $ 547,087

6. Downtown Entry Gateway $ 1,000,000 $ 1,000,000

7. Community Dog Park & Mid Block Connector $ 324,000 $ 324,000

8. Relocation of the Amsterdam Skate Park $ 93,000 $ 93,000

9. Bridge Street Utility Pole Removal $ 1,252,000 $ 939,000

10. Bridge Street / Main Street Enhancements $ 350,000 $ 350,000

Projects Recommended for DRI Funding
Project Titles Total Project Cost DRI Funding Request
11. Wayfinding, Signage, Art and Marketing $ 500,000 $ 500,000

12. Design Guidelines $ 50,000 $ 50,000

13. Downtown Improvement Fund $ 1,200,000 $ 600,000

14. Chalmers Mills Lofts Banquet Facility $ 3,000,000 $ 500,000

15. Business Incubator and STEM Education - $ 4,300,000 $ 1,800,000

Amsterdam Free Library

16. Community Center / Recreation Center $ 6,000,000 $ 2,500,000

17.Southside Parking $ 500,000 $ 500,000

18. New Residents Downtown - Former Key $ 2,500,000 $ 1,000,000

Bank Building

19. Sharpshooters Rooftop Bar $ 225,000 $ 90,000

20.Sweet Canal Shop Restoration - 65 Bridge $ 688,120 $ 275,000

Street

TOTAL $ 28,981,507 $ 15,238,815

Projects Recommended for Other Funding
Project Titles Total Project Cost DRI Funding Request
1. Multimodal Station $ 29,000,000 -

2. Culinary Incubator $ 3,265,200 -

3. Celebrating our Waterways – Lighting and $ 2,500,000 -

Creek Trailhead Park

4. Bringing back the Grid $ 40,000,000 -

5. 20 – 22 E Main Street $ 3,338,278 -

6. Marina – Ferry Service $ 16,000,000 -

 LPC Discussion

31
LPC Vote on Slate of Recommended Projects
Next Steps
DRI – City of Amsterdam, NY

• Draft & Final Strategic Investment Plan (March 29, 2019)

• Last Community Engagement Event (March 20, 2019)
• State Project Selection of DRI Awards (Summer 2019)
• Contracting

33
 DRI Strategic Investment Plan Sections

I. Downtown Profile and Assessment

II. Downtown Vision, Goals, and Strategies
III. Downtown Management and Implementation Strategy
IV. Public Involvement
V. Projects Proposed for DRI Funding
VI. Projects Recommended for Other Funding

* LPC will be reviewing the full document.

34
Last Community Engagement Event

3rd Community Engagement Event on Wednesday 03/20

Time: 6PM – 8PM
Location: City Hall

* Summary of the final Strategic Investment Plan will be presented.

State Project Selection of DRI Awards

In total, $9.7 million of DRI funds will be awarded to implement Amsterdam DRI projects.

After LPC completes the DRI Strategic Investment Plan, the state will select projects to be funded through the DRI based
on the following criteria:

• State and Local Goals – The project is aligned with state and local goals and demonstrates strong community support.

• Project Readiness – The project is well developed and poised to proceed in the near term in a way that will jumpstart
the redevelopment of the neighborhood

• Catalytic Effect – The project is likely to have a significant positive impact on the revitalization of the downtown by
attracting other public and private investment

• Co-Benefits – The project will result in secondary benefits to both the community and project developer, beyond the
primary goal of the project itself, which will generate additional economic activity, grow the local property tax base and
improve quality of life in the neighborhood

• Cost Effectiveness – Investment of public DRI funds in the project would represent an effective and efficient use of
public resources.
Contracting

• Projects selected for a DRI award will be assigned to an appropriate state agency to manage the contract for
implementation of the project. State Agency staff will work with City to identify the appropriate entity to hold the state
contract for project awards.

• While there may be some variation between agency administration and the project type, awarded project funding will be
provided on a reimbursement basis.

• DRI awards will be subject to all requirements typically attached to state funding, including but not limited to
minority- and woman-owned business enterprise (MWBE) goals, competitive procurement, and prevailing wages, as
appropriate.

• The DRI funds may be used as match for other grant funding if permitted by the granting authority. However, the
priority is to fund projects that are ready for implementation.

• The state’s DRI website will continue to serve as a source of information for the Initiative. The final DRI Strategic
Investment Plan will be posted and updates will be provided on DRI-funded projects.