Upper Hudson Rivers and Estuaries
Satellite Center
Questions and comments regarding this project may be addressed to:

Historical etching from the National Archives, Washington DC

The Upper Hudson Rivers and Estuaries Satellite Center project is a joint project of the City of Troy, New York State Department of State and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to prepare for site redevelopment, including accommodation for the proposed Upper Hudson Rivers and Estuaries Satellite Center, provide public access to the Hudson River, provide public recreational opportunities and provide connectivity to other local resources on the former Scolite Property at the foot of Madison Street.

The project under this grant is completed. A new state grant the City has obtained is continuing the work started in this project. The Strategic Plan report can be found here.

Background & Goals

This project is a result of Governor George Pataki’s commission of the Strategic Plan for the Rivers and Estuaries Center on the Hudson completed in July, 2001. That plan recommended that a Rivers and Estuaries Center be established that focused on research, education, monitoring, modeling and partnerships related to estuarine environment of the Hudson River. This center was to conduct research that would benefit other similar estuarine environments worldwide. A main center is under construction in the City of Beacon and Phase 1 of that project is expected to be under construction in the spring of 2005. Two satellite centers were also recommended in the Strategic Plan, one to be located at the southern end of the Hudson River Estuary, and the other at the northern end of the Estuary in the City of Troy.

The City’s purchase of the 5.71 acre Scolite Property (project site) provided an excellent potential site for this center and funding assistance from the New York State Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program facilitated the development of this strategic planning and implementation project which allows for redevelopment preparation of the entire site, including the proposed Upper Hudson Rivers and Estuaries Satellite Center.

To achieve the objectives of the City of Troy, NYS Department of State Division of Coastal Resources, Rivers and Estuaries Center, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the project goals are to: fully document the natural and built environment of the study area; identify and understand the opportunities and constraints of the study area; develop a clearly articulated development plan; develop a concept of how the primary study area fits in and contributes to the Hudson River and Poestenkill Greenway Corridors; explore opportunities for interpreting the uniqueness of the neighborhood and the Upper Hudson River Estuary; clearly articulate a practical strategy for implementation; and involve the public as the ultimate beneficiaries of decisions.

Funding

The New York State Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources is providing Local Waterfront Development Program funds matched by funds and in-kind services from the City of Troy and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for the development of the Strategic Development Plan.

Consultant Team

The City of Troy has contracted with a consultant team lead by J. Kenneth Fraser and Associates, PE, LS, LA, P.C., a Rensselaer County-based firm with extensive experience in the City of Troy who will be project managers, civil engineers, surveyors, planners and landscape architects for the project. The Fraser team includes:

Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects, LLP (Albany) – Historic American Building Survey, architectural programming, rehabilitation, and design
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers (New York City) – Marine structure analysis and structural design
Ryan Biggs Associates, P.C. (Troy) – Structural analysis and design engineers
Fred A. Dente Associates (Watervliet) – Geotechnical analysis and engineering
Hartgen Archeological Associates (Rensselaer) – Cultural resources survey
Evergreen (Watervliet) – Asbestos assessment

Project Technical Committee

A project Technical Committee has been formed to assist with the project, provide oversight and provide technical advice. This committee consists of representatives from the City Planning Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Rivers and Estuaries Center, the Freshwater Institute, the NYS Department of State’s Division of Coastal Resources and the consultant team.

Project Schedule

A detailed project schedule is available for download in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download a FREE copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader or visit www.adobe.com.

Project schedule summary:

Site Reconnaissance and Investigations
November 2004- February 2005

Public Outreach and Public Participation
January 2005 – Completion

Conceptual Designs
February 2005 – August 2005

Documents in this section are in pdf format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download a FREE copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader or visit www.adobe.com..

Public Information Meetings and Workshops

January 19, 2005 – Polish American Club
- Meeting Agenda and Summary
- Introduction and Site Investigations Slide Show
- Rivers & Estuaries Center Slide Show > PART 1

- Rivers & Estuaries Center Slide Show > PART 2

February 22, 2005 - Polish American Club 507 First St - 7:00PM
- Workshop 2 Agenda: Issues and Opportunites (PDF 246K)

- Workshop 2 Summary (PDF 119K)
- Opportunities Workshop Slide Show (PDF 10MB)

March 22, 2005 - Polish American Club 507 First St - 7:00PM

Project Reports

Summary of Associated Projects Report
Phase 1A and 1B Archeology Report
Historic Structure Report
Structural and Architectural Analysis Report
Preliminary Asbestos Assessment Report
Bulkhead Inspection Report
Geotechnical Evaluation Report
Feasibility Report
Construction Requirements Report

Implementation  Strategy Report
Full Environmental Assessment Form (SEQR)
Declaration of Significance

Project Maps

Project Site Survey Map
Concept Plan