GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES SMART GROWTH GRANTS FOR
ADIRONDACK PARK COMMUNITIES
Projects Link Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection
and
Community Livability
Released: Monday, March 24, 2008
Governor David A. Paterson and
Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Pete Grannis today
announced “smart growth grants” for Adirondack communities
to help counties, towns, villages and their partner organizations
develop plans that link sustainable development, environmental
protection and community livability.
A total of $1 million will be
awarded to 18 projects – ranging from one proposing a new
life for the Indian Lake Theater to another designing a better
wireless communication network across the Adirondack Park. The
initiative, announced last July, proved so popular that the DEC
received more than $3 million worth of proposals from around
the Park. The grants relate to a mix of local, regional and park-wide
projects.
“The Adirondack Park is
a unique American treasure, a special place for residents and
the millions who visit each year,” said Governor David A.
Paterson. “The Park serves as a model for how to merge environmental
sensitivity with the pressing needs of development and expansion.
By providing local planning assistance, we hope to meet the challenge
of developing sustainable communities while protecting natural
resources.”
“This program is dedicated
to the belief that sustainable development and environmental
protection go hand-in-hand,” said Commissioner Grannis.
“Safeguarding the assets of the forest preserve and fostering
sustainable development and a good quality of life for residents
throughout the Park is in everyone’s best interest. This
initiative provides the local planning assistance needed to accomplish
both. The overwhelming response demonstrates the program struck
a chord with Adirondack Park communities.”
Smart growth is sensible, planned
growth that balances the need for economic development with concerns
about quality-of-life, such as preserving the natural and built
environment. Smart growth is also becoming a useful tool to attract
businesses that value community quality-of-life.
The 2007-08 Environmental Protection
Fund included $2 million in grants to promote smart growth initiatives;
$1 million was earmarked for the Adirondacks. Smart growth can
be useful in addressing land-use issues facing rural communities
– workforce housing, aging infrastructure, water quality,
economic development, open space protection and village/hamlet
revitalization.
The grant winners include 12
projects that address local issues, four that are regional in
nature and two that are park-wide in impact.
The grants include:
- $106,971 to the Town of Saranac
to develop the “Wireless Clearinghouse” project to
create a comprehensive plan for identifying potential structures
for telecommunications infrastructure to bolster wireless networks
in the Park. The State University of New York at Plattsburgh
and the Adirondack North Country Association will assist the
Town;
- $100,000 to the Town of Tupper
Lake to produce a “Community Development Priorities”
plan. Part of the plan includes developing a “visual identity”
for the Town and Village of Tupper Lake, and concept designs
for streetscape and waterfront projects;
- $42,600 to the Town of Indian
Lake to plan the re-opening of the Indian Lake Theater. The
250-seat, Main Street venue has been closed for more than a year.
Local officials want to explore re-opening the facility as a
year-round community stage and screen, offering films and musical
and theatrical performances, and a public space for schools,
libraries and other organizations for meetings, lectures and
seminars;
- $100,000 to Essex County
to create an “Essex County Destination Master Plan”
that will focus on communities beyond Lake Placid. It will explore
opportunities to take advantage of recreational and natural resources
in an economically sustainable way in locales such as Moriah,
North Elba, Schroon Lake, Ticonderoga and Wilmington;
- $50,000 to the Town of Wilmington
to conduct feasibility studies for a community center, municipal
offices, historical society building and a fly fishing museum;
and
- $35,000 to the Town of Chester
to make plans for retaining existing affordable housing and establishing
new affordable housing opportunities for working families.
Senator Betty Little said: “Balancing
stewardship of the environment with the economic, housing and
infrastructure needs of our Adirondack villages, towns and counties
is critically important. I am pleased to see this partnership
between the State and our local governments. I want to thank
Commissioner Grannis for spearheading this initiative and congratulate
the recipients for their successful applications.”
Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward
said: “I applaud Commissioner Grannis and the DEC for addressing
the needs of the North Country. These grants as well as collaboration
among State and local officials, business leaders and concerned
citizens are a good step toward a balanced approach to our economic
development while sustaining the character of the Adirondack
region.”
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said:
“I am pleased DEC has recognized the unique issues facing
municipalities within the Adirondack Park. I congratulate the
local governments that have been awarded smart-growth funding
and look forward to working with these communities as they complete
these projects. The large number of competitors for the grants
points out the struggles facing Adirondack Park municipalities,
and I encourage Commissioner Grannis and DEC to continue this
competitive grant program.”
Adirondack Park Agency Chairman
Curt Stiles said: “We were impressed by the innovative and
comprehensive grant applications that were submitted by Adirondack
municipalities. We extend our congratulations to the grantees
and look forward to the successful implementation of their plans.
This was a very competitive grant program and demonstrated a
strong need for future support. Partnering with local governments
and State agencies enables smart growth through synergy and shared
values, and makes for stronger communities.”
Upstate Empire State Development
Corporation Chairman Dan Gundersen said: “I look forward
to seeing these projects enhance and shape the Adirondack communities
in a way that invites economic development that is compatible
with the Adirondack’s natural environment.”
Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
said: “The Adirondack smart-growth initiative represents
a model for inter-agency and inter-governmental collaboration
on some critical challenges and opportunities in the Adirondacks.
With these grants, the State and the individual Adirondack communities
have demonstrated an impressive commitment to economic and environmental
sustainability in the region.”
Brian L. Houseal, Executive Director
of the Adirondack Council, said: “It was a great pleasure
to stand with Commissioner Grannis last summer as he announced
in Lake George that half of the State's smart growth grants would
be awarded to communities and organizations in the Adirondack
Park. Sound planning is a wise investment for municipalities,
and it helps preserve open space, natural beauty, water quality,
and wildlife habitat.”
Established in 1892, the Adirondack
Park features world-class natural and cultural resources, including
the Nation’s only constitutionally-protected wild forest
lands. In contrast to America’s national parks in which
no one resides, the Adirondack Park is home to 130,000 full-time
residents and hundreds of businesses whose future depends on
continued protection of the natural resources and a sustainable
economy.
Many Adirondack communities lack
the resources to comprehensively address the land-use challenges
before them. The smart-growth grants program will provide communities
with technical capabilities necessary to plan for the future.
Contact: Errol Cockfield | Errol.Cockfield@chamber.state.ny.us
| 212.681.4640 | 518.474.8418
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