The New York Power Authority (NYPA) board of trustees has authorized a five-year funding plan for the Reimagine the Canals Initiative, which seeks to help expand tourism, boost economic development, and reduce flooding along the Erie Canal corridor. The $300 million project was first announced in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State address. The […]
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) board of trustees has authorized a five-year funding plan for the Reimagine the Canals Initiative, which seeks to help expand tourism, boost economic development, and reduce flooding along the Erie Canal corridor.
The $300 million project was first announced in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State address.
The NYPA board also approved $30 million to fund Reimagine initiative projects in 2020 as part of the five-year plan, which also aims to enhance irrigation, restore wetlands, and expand recreational fishing opportunities.
NYPA runs the New York State Canal Corporation and the 524-mile state Canal System as a subsidiary.
“The Erie Canal transformed New York into an economic powerhouse in the 19th century, and in the 21st century can again serve as an engine for growth along the canal corridor,” Cuomo said in a Jan. 29 news release. “With this initiative, we are both honoring the canal’s heritage and ensuring a very bright future.”
Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, praised the proposal in a Jan. 8 statement following Cuomo’s State of the State message.
“We applaud the state’s $300 million plan to reimagine the Erie Canal. This important investment …holds the potential to boost tourism and support recreational fishing but also to mitigate flooding by improving irrigation and restoring wetlands,” said Simpson.
Projects involved
Projects that will move forward with the initial funding include the winner of the Reimagine the Canals competition, a canalside pocket neighborhood. It’ll be developed by Madison County at a former industrial property in Canastota along the Old Erie Canal, “demonstrating a model for 21st century canalside living,” per Cuomo’s office.
The projects also include a new whitewater “destination” at the north end of Cayuga Lake near Seneca Falls, to increase eco-tourism and sport visitors to the region.
In addition, the projects include the “Brockport Loop” in Monroe County. It will connect SUNY College at Brockport to the Empire State Trail and the village of Brockport through the transformation of a canal guard-gate into a pedestrian bridge and overlook.
Another project involves interactive, hydro-powered illumination of Canal “movable dams” — initially in Amsterdam and Canajoharie in the Mohawk Valley — to “celebrate” the canal’s heritage and history.
They also include the historic Guy Park Manor on the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, which will be “reborn as a hospitality and recreation destination.” A pedestrian bridge constructed across a canal lock will provide access to the Empire State Trail on the opposite side of the river.
“Gov. Cuomo’s plan to Reimagine the Canals will bring new energy, enthusiasm and economic development to the canal corridor,” Brian Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation, contended in Cuomo’s release. “Today’s board action approving the funding for these new initiatives is a positive step for the Canal Corporation and the communities that we will work so closely with to make these programs a reality. We are excited to begin.”