TACTICAL REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN ALBANY NY

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Project Approach, Scope of Work, and Deliverables interventions could include pop-up parks or retail, transportation or bike sharing, instant promenades, better blocks. During the exercise the teams who implement the interventions will become experts and advocates. We would gather data about responses through crowdsourcing and interviews that will help to inform the implementation of the plan. We also think this will attract attention to the initiative and keep folks engaged, if not out of concern for their downtown, then out of curiosity about what may pop up next. Shorter-term installations afford a wider opportunity for imaginative work, and allow for new constellations of creative collaboration between local educational, industrial partners, as well as individual community groups. There is a growing literature around the power of temporary use and understanding the ‘patterns of the unplanned.’ We are excited to enable, initiate, coach and formalize such development. 3) Innovative Results In the momentum created by the storytelling during the launch and play acting during the test, we’ll find a basis for concrete ideas with track records of investment, especially among those who have tested a business or idea or provided the space to accommodate it. Embedding the community in the planning activities, thus blurring the distinction between planner and practitioner, will jumpstart community buy-in. We will combine what we’ve learned about Albany’s conditions on the ground, the aspirations of its citizens and the level of their determination to effect change as gauged by their investment in the interventions, with our own observations and expertise in planning, design and finance to create a Tactical Plan. Our challenge will be to develop an understanding of how Albany’s assets and further development can cohere into a brand and deliver on the promise of a downtown that attracts and retains people and businesses, enlivens the district and sustains revitalization. NBBJ will connect leaders and the action teams directly to stakeholders and the community to envision alternative futures, challenge current beliefs, unleash creative thinking, and create new meaning and relevant value in future investment. Intertwined with the Wow process our team will conduct literature reviews, competitive research, walk-alongs, observation/emotional journeys, interviews, participatory workshops, and co-design activities to develop a comprehensive brand strategy for the Tactical Plan. 1. We consider this methodology to be our Wow factor. It provides the following value: Cultural trends and local relevance inspire larger future vision and purpose. 2. Insight into resident behavior based in deep understanding of cultural context supports culturally appropriate design solutions. 3. Alignment of brand values to the built environment ensures implementation. 4. Creation of best practices for future projects that increase efficiency of future innovation efforts and design work.
Section 2 4. Facilitating Connectivity - Across Neighborhood Boundaries and Demographic / Social Milieus We strongly believe that connectivity is one of the essential elements of any successful and sustainable revitalization effort. Not just connectivity between downtown Albany and its adjacent neighborhoods, but equally important is insuring strong connectivity between and among the various districts within downtown, and of course increasing and improving the connections between downtown and the riverfront. In addition, it is important when siting and designing major – and large – public assembly venues such as the “Performance Place” and convention center that consideration be given – up front – to the need to have it facilitate, rather than impede, connections to activity areas that surround it. Often, unfortunately, this is not the case. We have assisted numerous cities in efforts to reconnect their downtowns to their waterfront amenities. Cities such as Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. have embraced their waterfronts that were formerly separated by a variety of highways, railways and derelict land. A comprehensive set of bold initiatives, from bridges and trails to active watersheet uses are necessary to bring the benefits of a riverfront city to the doorstep of future residents and businesses. But the benefits are dramatic and can brand such districts as distinctive destinations for those seeking a special environment to live or work. Combining an active riverfront with vibrant, and historic, downtown creates a powerful sense of place. Our team has a strong record of focusing on this important element. The team has worked closely, for example, in the design and siting of a new downtown arena in Louisville to optimize its connectivity to its surroundings, and the subsequent design, as well as the extensive public input process that was used, is seen as a model of such an effort. In addition, CityVisions has recently completed a major downtown planning effort in Paducah, KY that had as its major focus improved connections among and between its downtown, waterfront, and arts districts. 6. Pursuing a Market Driven Process to Reaching Development Decisions All major efforts such as the revitalization plan for downtown Albany must understand their audiences and markets, and understand that there are different layers or tiers of markets that are involved. As a capital city, Albany contains a number of such tiers. Like our work in Hartford and Providence, a thorough understanding of the demographics of those residents, workers, and visitors to the capital city is necessary to fully optimize the market potential of this group. In addition, Albany is located in a region with not just other competitive retail, office, and residential areas, but also other downtowns in Schenectady and Troy. An understanding of the dynamics between and among these central business districts is an important element to the market dynamics of downtown Albany. We propose to do more than the typical real estate market assessment. Given the primary focus on developing a tactical implementation plan the team proposes to take a unique approach to the project integrating real estate analysis with an approach similar to that used for product development / product launch. We will examine the market from the perspective of potential customers (potential residents and potential businesses emerging from economic
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TACTICAL REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN ALBANY NY

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