For Immediate Release:
10/04/18
Contact:
Steven Gosset
| Steven.Gosset@nypa.gov
Media Relations | (914) 390-8192
Global Contest Sought Unique Ideas to Spur Economic Development Along Canal Corridor, Boost Tourism and Recreation Spending
Winning Entries Include New Neighborhoods Along the Canal and Festival to Celebrate Waterfront and New York's Craft-Beverage Industry
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the two winning proposals from the Reimagine the Canals Competition have been selected. The winning ideas included a proposal to build new neighborhoods along the Erie Canal, as well as a multi-day festival that would highlight the Canal and New York's booming craft-beverage industry. The competition—announced in 2017—was sponsored by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation, and sought unique ideas to continue to transform the New York State Canal System into an engine of economic activity and a magnet for tourism and recreation.
"With the winners of the Reimagine the Canals competition now selected, we can continue to tap into one of New York's most underutilized assets and help this statewide resource reach its full potential," Governor Cuomo said. "There is no doubt these winning ideas will continue to inspire new, creative ideas that will invigorate the canals and draw visitors to one of our most iconic assets for years to come."
In all, the competition drew 145 entries from nine states and seven nations, with an international panel of judges—including some of the world's leading canal experts—narrowing the field to seven finalists. The winners were announced today during a ceremony at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester with Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.
"As an upstate New Yorker who lives near the Erie Canal and is a frequent visitor to canal communities, I know how this competition can unlock even more potential to make this a major tourism magnet," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who attended today's event. "The canals have played a crucial role in New York's history and growth, and with the implementation of these new exciting projects, the canals will remain a vital force and make a positive contribution to the economic well-being and quality of life in the 225 communities they travel through."
Pocket Neighborhoods: The first winning entry seeks to build pocket neighborhoods along the Erie Canal and Erie Canalway Trail. Homes would surround a common greenspace and have direct access to the Canal to respond to the growing preference of millennials, families, and seniors to live in a place that is walkable to shopping, restaurants and other amenities.
A pilot project would be built in the Village of Canastota, Madison County, about 25 miles east of Syracuse. The expectation is this project—which would involve a public-private partnership—could be replicated in other communities. See renderings here.
The team, which will receive $1.5 million to further develop its plan, includes the Madison County Planning Department, STREAM Collaborative, an Ithaca architecture and design firm, and Camoin Associates, an economic development consultancy based in Saratoga Springs. The judges cited the project as a model for how land use could be shifted away from the canals' industrial past to residential and mixed uses.
Erie Armada: The second winner seeks to create Erie Armada, a multi-day festival and boat race centered on breweries creating human-powered boats that could be made from items common to the industry, such as barrels and beer cans. The race would include parties at the start and end of each 15-mile race that would feature music, local food offerings and craft beverages, including beers created specifically for the armada. The first armada is planned to go between Baldwinsville and Phoenix, but other locations are being considered for the future.
The jury commented that the proposal would support new recreation and tourism in the canal corridor and bring a younger audience to the region, while also supporting the local heritage of the canal system. New York was once a leading grower of hops, which were shipped across the nation and abroad via the Erie Canal. The Erie Armada team, led by Parks & Trails New York, event-planning firm Area4 based in New York City and advisor Joe Gustainis of Caledonia, will receive $500,000 to implement their proposal.
New York is home to 400 breweries, up from 95 just six years ago, as a result of Governor Cuomo's leadership in eliminating many regulatory and licensing burdens for breweries, as well as for the growing number of wineries, distilleries and cideries in the state.
Gil C. Quiniones, New York Power Authority president and CEO said, "The winning ideas were the best of an extremely strong field of candidates. If the creativity displayed in this competition is any indication, the future of the canals is in very good hands."
Brian U. Stratton, New York State Canal Corporation director said, "The canals have long been a source of inspiration and wonder. The projects that were announced today are poised to make a real difference in how people use and interact with our canals."
Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Becker said, "The Reimagine the Canals Competition is an imaginative way to bring the very best ideas together to transform our canals and reinvigorate local economies. With the winners now selected, it is exciting to know that underutilized canalside spaces will get new life with these innovative proposals. I thank Governor Cuomo for providing the funding to get these projects jump-started, and for prioritizing New York's iconic canal system as we work to boost our economy and create sustainable attractions to be enjoyed by generations to come."
Carla DeShaw Mayor of the Village of Canastota said, "This is a major win for our community and for the entire state of New York. Our canal system is teeming with potential, and these brilliant ideas will truly unlock a new, modern use for the canal that helps stimulate our economy and attract New Yorkers and visitors alike to see all that our region has to offer. This project will help our community meet the shifting demands for diversified housing bringing entrepreneurs, young families, and seniors wishing to "age in place" together. I commend Governor Cuomo for making this exciting competition possible. Congratulations to the winners on a job well done and I thank Madison County Planning and STREAM for their tremendous work and collaboration."
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, "Our state's canal system is a vital part of our infrastructure and economic development opportunities. With these new, innovative ideas, we can transform our canals so they can once again become an engine for economic growth for the entire state. Congratulations to both winners, whose creative ideas will bring our canal system into the future."
The competition was held as New York celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Barge Canal—now known as the New York State Canal System--which includes the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain and Oswego canals. The State also continues to mark the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, construction on which began 201 years ago. Next year, will mark the 200th anniversary of the first boat trip taken on the Erie Canal, from Rome to Utica.
For more information about the competition and to watch videos about each project, visit www.canals.ny.gov/reimaginethecanals.
About the New York State Canal Corporation
New York’s canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals form the backbone of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and connect hundreds of unique and historic communities. In 2018, New York is celebrating the bicentennial of the start of the Erie Canal’s construction.
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