TACTICAL REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN ALBANY NY

Section 2
process so that everyone’s sights are actually higher at the end of the process than at the
outset.
The most critical element of a bold, long-term vision for a community is instilling within it a
strong sense of ownership and buy-in from its stakeholders and citizens. This is especially
true in Downtown efforts, as the creation of public/private partnerships, the use of financial
incentives, and the prioritization of certain catalytic projects are often subject to robust
community debate. In addition, it is a certainty that over a ten-year planning horizon, market,
political, economic, and cultural conditions will change, and both challenges and opportunities
will arise that were not originally anticipated. A strong master plan, while specifying detailed
implementation actions, must be able to accommodate fluctuations in the marketplace and
shifting demographics; in fact, it must assume they will occur.
We have found that the development of a strong set of guiding principles is a key element
to long-term success; in essence these broad principles provide the community with an overall
vision while allowing the implementation entities to deal with the ever-changing details of the
market or constituencies at any given point in time. The guiding principles can also provide a
clear and concise framework in the review of all proposed subsequent actions in Downtown—
be they public, private, non-profit, quasi-public, or a public/private partnership—to ensure that
all future activity support and contribute to the vitality of Downtown.
We intend to create a dynamic process that results in a bold, creative and actionable vision for
the Downtown and to extend the vision to the adjacent districts and neighborhoods, as well
as better integrate the Riverfront assets. This vision will build on the success of the Downtown
and take advantage of the emergence of the New York State’s “Tech Valley”. The plan will be
an attractive and inspiring document, and a road map for implementation with specific tactical
recommendations to achieve the vision.
Deliverables:
• Vision Statement
• Graphics and Presentation
D. CORNING PRESERVE PHASE 2 MASTER PLAN INTEGRATION
A Tangible Symbol of Improvement……
This new addition to the scope of work provides an opportunity to combine the Tactical Plan
of the Downtown with the development of one of its prime assets: the Hudson Riverfront at
Corning Preserve. It is our intent to integrate the Community Visioning for the Corning Preserve
into the overall planning process for the Tactical Revitalization Plan for the Downtown. However,
as funding dictates that this process must be stand-alone, we will package the results of the
Community Visioning process as it relates to the Corning Preserve as a separate document that
is from the point of view of the Corning Preserve, but still maintains continuity with the planning
initiatives of the Downtown.