Projects that would be funded include building construction and renovations, waterfront improvements
RENSSELAER -- The city has 18 projects included in its application to become the latest Capital Region city to be selected for a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from the state.
The projects submitted by the city involve $16 million in funding requests, but Thomas E. Hulihan, the city's director of planning and economic development, said the state likes to see a larger amount requested.
The overall value placed on the 18 projects is $310 million, according to the city. The proposed projects focus on the city's Broadway corridor, development along the Hudson River waterfront and the area around the Amtrak Albany-Rensselaer Railroad Station.
"It's time for the city of Rensselaer to stop looking like the backyard of Albany and look like the front yard," Mayor Mike Stammel said Tuesday.
"We're in the running. There's a lot of work to do. The city of Rensselaer has been looking for work like this to happen for a long time," Stammel said.
The city has solicited comments and suggestions from residents and business owners through its Rensselaer Rising program, Hulihan said on Oct. 2 at the final public review at City Hall. The city placed pictures and descriptions of the various projects on display. The public was then asked to indicate what they wanted to see happen.
The projects include new construction and building renovations along the Broadway corridor, and to capitalize on two key community assets, additional development along the waterfront and around the Amtrak train station. Along the waterfront, a multi-use trail network will connect the existing downtown to the soon-to-be-rebuilt Livingston Avenue Bridge and mixed-use developments along the path to the Barnet Mills, which is currently being renovated into 72 apartments and 20,000 square feet of commercial space. The Esplanade will also be enhanced with additional parking and an outdoor Fitness Court Studio.
The projects include a 100-room hotel with two refurbished Pullman Cars as a restaurant with the project costing $15 million. The dining area would be for $1 million of the total price. There also would be another parking structure at the train station. Another project near City Hall would be to transform the closed Key Bank building at 16 Second Ave. and another building at 8 Second Ave. into the Rensselaer Gallery and Artist Studio for $1.8 million with the DRI funding of $545,895 being sought.
The city also envisions updating the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club with a 9,000 square foot addition to the existing building at 544 Broadway. The DRI funding proposed is $1.9 million for the $2.1 million project. The city also is seeking $600,000 in DRI funding to support a small project fund to back business assistance, façade improvement and building renovations to commercial and mix-use buildings.
Other proposals include a multi-use walkway along the Hudson River with additional parking and an outdoor fitness studio, improved street signs, "renderings and stories of events that happened in Rensselaer, will add cultural and artistic elements to be enjoyed along the way," according to a city newsletter and support for the Yankee Doodle Band.