Medina_SIP_CanalBasin.pdf

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan86

Transform the Canal Basin into a Waterfront Gateway

PROJECT 03

Transform the parking lot along the Erie Canal into a “waterfront gateway” complete with green space, seating areas, and boater/cyclist amenities.

Description Canal Basin Park is a key destination within the Village due to its strategic location on the Erie Canal and proximity to Main Street and East Center Street. This area is currently defined by an overabundance of paved parking spaces and limited access to the canal. Existing amenities include limited greenspace immediately adjacent to the canalfront walkways, minimal floating dock access, a few picnic tables, and a bike rack. The Village recently received funding for a pedestrian kiosk sign which will be installed in the existing greenspace. As the primary stop along the canal in the Village today, the Canal Basin should serve as an attractive gateway to the Village of

Project Quick Facts

$1,500,000

$1,500,000

1.5 acres

100%

Total NY Forward funds requested

Total project cost

Project size

Percent requested of total project cost

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan 87

Medina, welcoming waterfront travelers into the community and giving them a reason to stop and explore the unique offerings that exist in the downtown.

In Spring 2023, the Village submitted its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) to New York State which identified a vision for downtown and the waterfront. In this document, Canal Basin Park was identified as the priority project necessary to promote, enhance, and leverage the relationship between the canal and downtown. A range of improvements for the basin space were identified with an overall vision of transforming the area into a pedestrian-oriented public space with various user amenities and aesthetic updates.

While many of the original elements from the LWRP were considered and are reflected in the

Project Location Map

Legend

Canal Basin Park Manilla Place adjacent to the Erie Canal

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan88 proposed NY Forward project, the overall vision has been broken into a multi-phased project, with the NY Forward project being considered Phase 1.

The proposed improvements to Canal Basin Park are intended to create a central node within the Village that serves as a multi-functional gathering space, enhancing the vitality of and activity along the Erie Canal waterfront. The proposed project increases the amount of green and programmable space, while also being mindful of building accessibility concerns for properties fronting on the park, as well as retaining some parking spaces that exist today. Full build-out, consistent with the LWRP master plan, would be able to occur at a later time, building on the NY Forward investment.

Specific improvements for Phase 1 of the Canal Basin Gateway project include:

from Main Street, across rear building facades, to East Center Street alleyway;

programming with amenities including seating tables, benches, bike racks, shade trees and native plantings; and

• Pedestrian walkways with decorative, permeable pavers.

Approximately 15-20 parking spaces are anticipated to be lost as a result of the proposed open space enhancements, with approximately 71 spaces being maintained.

Project Sponsor/ Property Ownership The project sponsor is the Village of Medina.

Portions of the project site are owned by the Village of Medina and New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC). The NYSCC is supportive of advancing this project, consistent with the Reimagine the Canals initiative to transform Medina into a unique cultural hub along the Erie Canal.

Existing Parking Lot The Canal Basin is currently used as a public parking out.

Excess Paved Areas The majority of the lot is paved, with minimal landscaping and tree cover.

Current Conditions

Canal Access There is a narrow strip of greenspace along the canal and limited water access.

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan 89

Sponsor Capacity The Village of Medina will lead the implementation of this project, with assistance from consultants to complete the final design and construction administration. The Village Department of Public Works (DPW) will be tasked with ongoing maintenance of the space, as they are today. The Village has a track record of successfully overseeing large-scale grant projects, including its NY Main Street Program and a recent multi-million investment in upgrading its wastewater treatment facility and water lines.

Project Partners The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Canal Corporation will be partners in this project as part of the larger initiative to enhance the Village of Medina’s connection to the Erie Canal through the Reimagine the Canals initiative.

Revitalization Strategies This project supports the following New York State goals for the NY Forward program:

Create an active downtown with a strong sense of place.

The Canal Basin Park is the waterfront gateway into downtown Medina and the first view of downtown that boaters see of the community. Ensuring the space is welcoming, attractive, and inviting is key to getting boaters to stop and spend time in the community.

The future greenspace will also serve as the community gathering node for the Village, creating a unique destination for residents to come together, as well as for visitors to visit.

Enhance public spaces for arts and cultural events that serve the existing members of the community but also draw in visitors from around the region.

Canal Basin Park enhancements will directly support the recently announced efforts planned by NYPA and the NYSCC to improve the canal waterfront in the Village to encourage boaters, trail users and other visitors to enjoy downtown. Part of this effort includes establishing an Art Triennial event representing Western New York with support of local municipal leaders and a range of art organizations. An enhanced Canal Basin Park will be a critical element to achieving the larger vision.

Provide amenities that support and enhance downtown living and quality of life.

The proposed project introduces enhanced pedestrian connectivity, green space, and multi-modal amenities (seating, water fountains, etc.) into the downtown and waterfront area, supporting both resident and visitor needs.

This project supports the following locally-developed goals for Medina’s NY Forward program:

Support the vibrancy and economic vitality of Main Street.

Medina’s downtown and waterfront are inextricably linked. Improvements to the waterfront and the creation of Canal Basin Park will have complementary benefits for downtown and Main Street.

Establish downtown as a hub for arts, cultural, and recreational tourism.

NYPA and NYSCC are making significant investments along the canalfront in Medina to establish the community as an arts and cultural hub along the Eric Canal. Canal Basin Park enhancements are an important complementary element to achieving this overall vision.

Leverage and activate downtown’s Erie Canal waterfront.

The current Canal Basin public space is largely underutilized as a public space today, as it is primarily a surface parking lot. Creating additional greenspace and adding additional amenities will help to activate the space, increasing its use on a regular basis and drawing more people and activities into the space.

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan90

This project also supports the following strategies from the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s (FLREDC) Strategic Plan:

Invest in community development.

The proposed improvements support investment in an underutilized public space, advancing the highest and best use of waterfront lands and strengthening a community gathering space that is little-used today.

Promote tourism and the arts.

The future public space will be used as a hub for cultural and arts events with the potential for public art pieces to be incorporated into the space.

Decarbonization This project does not need to comply with decarbonization requirements because it is a public improvement project.

Resiliency This project will include transitioning existing surface parking areas into green spaces that will facilitate the absorption of precipitation and will help to filter stormwater during rain and snow events. Green infrastructure, in the form of native plantings and permeable pavements, will also be included to reduce stormwater runoff.

Project Synergies Enhancements to Canal Basin Park will strengthen its appeal and usage and will establish the site as the waterfront gateway into downtown Medina.

There are a range of proposed NY Forward projects that complement and support proposed improvements at this site.

On the public side, Downtown Wayfinding, Alleyway Improvements, and Parking Lot Connectivity Improvements will all have a direct relationship to improvements at Canal Basin Park.

Wayfinding will help to direct people to Canal Basin, and those coming from Canal Basin will benefit from signage to get to various business destinations in the downtown core. The East Center Street alleyway enhancements are adjacent to Canal Basin and help to strengthen the physical connection between the site and downtown businesses, as well as to public parking. Enhanced alleyway connections will share design elements with Canal Basin to create a seamless visual experience. Reduced parking availability in the Basin will require some visitors to park elsewhere in the downtown core.

The Public Parking Lot Connectivity project will address parking availability by improving connections between the Basin and the public parking lot across the street.

On the private side, there are a number of projects – Arenite Brewery, Canal View Bar, and 409-413 Main Street – that are physically related to Canal Basin Park. Improvements at the Basin would support each of their business models to help create a vibrant waterfront destination with public spaces, recreation, food, drink and services close to the waterfront.

The Canal Basin Park project also supports and advances the Village's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), with this project identified as a key priority during the LWRP planning process. Further, as evidenced through recent NYPA/NYSCC funding announcements, this project supports the statewide vision, as part of the Reimagine the Canals initiative, to establish Medina as a cultural and arts hub along the Erie Canal. The Reimagine the Canals initiative will result in a number of complementary enhancement projects including the rehabilitation of the Erie Canal’s northern highwall, safety improvements and improved access to Medina Falls, rehabilitation of the Erie Canalway and Empire State Trails (leveraging TAP funding), new boater amenities, curated public art installations, and public space enhancements on the north side of the canal across from Canal Basin Park (funding through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation).

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan 91

Budget Narrative The above fees were based on an estimate prepared by a licensed landscape architect using standard construction numbers for materials and amenities. Standard design and construction contingency costs (10%) were added to the base estimate to account for potential unknowns and refinements uncovered during the final design and construction process.

The overall budget includes final design of the on-site amenities, including site preparation, tree removal, temporary construction materials, topsoil and planting materials, landscaping, sidewalk and paver installation, site amenities, reconstructed parking areas, work zone traffic control, mobilization and survey operations.

100% of project costs are requested through the NY Forward program.

Public Support The Canal Basin Park was favored by the public.

The public recognized the prominence of this site as a public space for residents to enjoy, its importance in leveraging the waterfront, and its role in attracting visitors to the downtown core.

Student engagement also indicated public space projects, such as Canal Basin, were seen as a priority for NY Forward funding.

Previous outreach efforts during the Village’s recent planning process for the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program also highlighted the importance of enhancing Canal Basin and the surrounding canalfront lands as a central component to achieving the Village’s larger economic revitalization goals.

Project Feasibility and Impact The recommended improvements will transform this underutilized space into a flexible greenspace, with pedestrian and boater amenities and seating opportunities along the Erie Canal that will encourage residents and visitors to utilize and enjoy the waterfront area.

The improvements will allow for flexible use of the space for a range of activities.

Project Budget

Action Amount Funding Source Status of Funds

Construction

$1,300,000 NY Forward Requested

Final Design and Engineering $200,000 NY Forward Requested

Total NYF Funding Request $1,500,000

Total Funding from Other Sources $0

Total Project Cost $1,500,000

Percent Requested of Total Project Cost 100%

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan92

Proposed Conditions Conceptual Canal Basin Park plan

M ai n St re et

Erie Canal

East Center Street

M ill

S tr ee t

Alternative A Key

Two-way park entry/egress

Parallel parking/delivery area (7 spaces)

90° parking (41 spaces)

Native grasses and perennials

Gazebo

8’ wide sidewalk

Pedestrian pathway

Grove with tables

Improved parking (23 spaces)

Existing parking (86 spaces)

Proposed parking (71 spaces)

Legend

Two-way park entry/egress

Gazebo

Parallel parking/delivery area (7 spaces)

8' wide sidewalk

90° parking (41 spaces)

Pedestrian pathway

Native grasses and perennials

Grove with tables Improved parking (23 spaces)

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan 93

Current Conditions Existing parking lot

Proposed Canal Basin Park greenspace

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan94

Current Conditions Existing rear facades of Main Street buildings in the Canal Basin

Proposed flexible space adjacent to rear facades of Main Street buildings (future phases of Canal Basin Park project)

Village of Medina NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan 95

With upcoming investments being made by NYPA and the NYSCC throughout the waterfront area, including trail, infrastructure and public space investments, the Canal Basin and surrounding waterfront lands are positioned to become the centerpiece of downtown Medina.

In addition to physical improvements, NYPA and the NYSCC also recently announced a major Art Triennial event to be held in Medina every three years with the first one to be held in 2025, which is the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal. The major public art event will be spread over multiple weeks and months, putting Medina’s downtown in the spotlight and drawing in hundreds, or thousands, of new visitors.

By leveraging the waterfront to draw more people into the community, there will be direct impacts that benefit downtown businesses and restaurants. As visitation increases, spending dollars will also increase. People will come into the community and stay longer, visiting retail establishments, frequenting eating establishments, and staying over at downtown hotels. An enhanced Canal Basin Park will also introduce community development and social benefits, by becoming a central activity hub for the Village. The park will serve as a central gathering space for formal and informal events, bringing residents together and strengthening community social connections.

Regulatory Requirements The proposed project is permitted in accordance with the Village’s zoning code. Final plan approvals will need to be obtained from the Planning Board, in addition to NYSCC and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as portions of the Canal Basin site are located within the New York State Barge Canal Historic District. SEQRA review will also be necessary. All local permits will be obtained at the appropriate time of construction.

Timeframe for Implementation The Village of Medina is prepared to initiate the final design process upon funding award.

Anticipated Timeline The anticipated timeline for project completion is shown below.

Pre-Work����������������������������������������������������� Completed

• Conceptual plans

Project Start���������������������������������������� Summer 2024

Design and Bid Process�������������������������� 12 months

Construction������������������������������������������������ 18 months

Anticipated Completion����������������������Spring 2027

Total Timeframe���������������������������������������� 30 months