City of Niagara Falls. New York. D Amelio Park Playground

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1 New York January 2018

2 Consultation and Review Form Type of Review Required: X Mandatory Consultation Project Registration Number Voluntary Review and/or Endorsement PROJECT SPONSOR INFORMATION Name: City of Niagara Falls Mailing Address: 745 Main Street, P.O. Box 69 State: New York Zip Code: Federal ID# Charities Registration # PROJECT TYPE Check all that apply: Environmental Cultural/Heritage X Land or Water Public Access Cultural Trail Educational/Interpretive X Waterfront or Land Based Development Signage X Recreational Other Funding Committee X Host Community Standing Committee Request: Buffalo and Erie County Standing Committee Ecological Standing Committee State Parks Standing Committee Unsure at this time Amount Requested: $ 25,000 Matching Funds Available: $ 214,

3 PROJECT INFORMATION Project Name: Location: Site Address: 1501 Center Avenue 1501 Center Avenue State: NY Zip Code: Minor Civil Division(s): County: City Niagara Project Proponent Property Interest (own, lease, easement or other): Owned by City of Niagara Falls AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL Name: Paul A. Dyster Title: Mayor Business Address: 745 Main Street, P.O. Box 69, Niagara Falls State: NY Zip Code: Telephone Number: Cell Number: Fax Number: Address: PROJECT POINT OF CONTACT Name: Thomas J. DeSantis Acting Director-Planning, Environmental Title: and Economic Developmeny Organization/Firm: City of Niagara Falls Business Address: : 745 Main Street, P.O. Box 69, Niagara Falls State: Ny Zip Code: Telephone Number: Cell Number: Fax Number: Address: desantis@nfez.org 3

4 PROJECT NARRATIVE Please attach material which responds to the following five (5) items in the order that they are presented. 1. In a brief paragraph, describe the project and its purpose, how and when it will be accomplished, and why it is important. 2. Referring to the Niagara River Greenway Plan, clearly document and describe how the proposed project will advance the Niagara River Greenway vision including the goals, principles, and criteria that define that vision. 3. Provide a Sources and Uses Budget. Identify all sources of funding and the amount of funding expected from each source. Identify and quantify funds that are already on hand or have been allocated for the proposed project. Explain how the project will be operated and maintained. Complete the Sources and Uses Budget for the proposed project and include the following: SOURCES OF FUNDS Loan #1 $ Loan #2 $ Grant #1: Niagara County $25,000 Grant #2 $ Other Source #1: City of Niagara Falls $214, Other Source #2 $ TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDS $239, USE OF FUNDS Planning $ Construction $239, Acquisition $ Administration $ Operation and Maintenance / Year $ TOTAL USES OF FUNDS $239, TOTAL PROJECT COST $239, Describe the measures taken at the local level to gain community and government support for this project 4

5 January, 2018 Project Narrative In a brief paragraph, describe the project and its purpose, how and when it will be accomplished, and why it is important. In 2016, the City of Niagara Falls began a playground replacement program for D Amelio Park in the northwest corner of the city. Much of the park s land had been lost as a result of the Hope VI housing project. The existing playground was obsolete and in need of repair. The City invested over $200,000 in improvements but still remains in need of additional funding to close out the project. The Niagara County Legislature has generously pledged $25,000 in Niagara River Greenway funding to pay for cost overruns. The D Amelio Park-old playground equipment City of Niagara Falls respectfully requests a consistency determination for these park improvements. D Amelio Park is located on Center Street and 15 th Street in the city s most impoverished neighborhood with high unemployment, population loss, empty factories on contaminated lots, high crime, blight, and the highest poverty rate in the city. Hope VI resulted in limited, obsolete recreational facilities that did not address the needs of the city s youth or aging population. The City has made considerable progress in the past few years in improving the neighborhood s quality of life. A major brownfield has recently been remediated and replaced with green industrial facilities and beautiful greenspace. However, recreational facilities are sorely needed for the area residents. The City has already contracted with Gardenville Landscaping for site work and landscaping and has installed playground equipment purchased from Playcore. The actual work was completed and the playground opened in November 2017, but additional improvements resulted in cost overruns. With the assistance of Niagara County greenway funding, the City will be able to finalize the project. The total cost of the project is $239,

6 January, 2018 Niagara River Greenway Vision Statement: The Niagara River Greenway is a world-class corridor of places, parks and landscapes that celebrates and interprets our unique natural, cultural, recreational, scenic and heritage resources and provides access to and connections between these important resources while giving rise to economic opportunities for the region. The installation of the new playground at D Amelio Park will provided sorely needed recreational facilities and promote the Greenway vision by celebrating and interpreting our diverse cultural heritage. Located within the Highland Avenue neighborhood, the Park is located in an area of the city that was built to house workers entering the city to work in the nearby factories. A vast majority of these workers were African-Americans relocating from the southern states in search of employment. When the manufacturing industries began to leave, the city, in general, entered into an economic decline. This community, specifically, began a downward spiral resulting in high unemployment, impoverishment, an aging and diminishing population and a high rate of crime. The area was riddled with abandoned factories on contaminated lots, degraded housing and deteriorated recreational facilities. D Amelio Park was formerly a 9.6-acre park containing a children s play area, a wading and swimming pool, a baseball diamond, basketball courts and a band shell. Immediately north of the park was an area of open space that was used as an extension to the park. The combined space, just under 13 acres, served the recreational needs of a community of approximately 3,000 residents over a 560-acre area. D Amelio Park is now just over three acres, one-third of which is a retention basin. The remaining area contains the pools, the basketball and handball courts, a formerly deteriorating play area and minimal green space. In recent years, the Highland Avenue community has begun a period of regeneration. Brownfields are being remediated; existing businesses have expanded and new businesses have opened focusing on distribution and light manufacturing. However, the poverty rate remains at 60.4%; outside the new housing project, the housing stock continues to deteriorate and the amount of parkland is negligible. These proposed improvements will contribute to the community s revitalization through the provision of quality recreational facilities and green space which have been shown to increase property values, attract homeowners and developers, provide a sense of community and improve the overall quality of life in this community. 2

7 January, 2018 Goals The goals and objectives of the will be served by the improvements made to D Amelio Park. The Park is located within the Greenway corridor, within walking distance of the Niagara River gorge on the city s proposed trail connecting city parks to the waterfront. This improved park will benefit the public by providing quality recreational facilities to residents and visitors, thereby enhancing the visual and aesthetic appeal of the area. Improve Access The Park, as a link on the city s parks trail system, will contribute to the promotion of the area as a recreational tourism site and facilitate universal access to the area s residents and visitors by allowing handicap accessibility to users. Make Connections Improvements to the Park will provide physical connections to the area s outdoor recreational facilities and provide a node on the proposed city-wide parks trail that will encourage visitors to move along the trail to the many other recreational sites within the area. Celebrate History and Heritage These improvements will celebrate and share the area s historic role in the industrial movement that was the foundation of the city s development. The Highland community remains primarily African-American, many of whom are direct descendants of those southerners who relocated here looking for a better way of life. The area s heritage is better portrayed through improved neighborhoods that are equipped with quality parks and gathering places that will serve residents and visitors alike with pride. As a node on the city-wide parks trail, D Amelio Park will become part of the roadmap connecting the multitude of historic sites within the city s limits that were a crucial part of this nation s history. Spark Revitalization and Renewal Parks have been shown to increase property values, attracting home buyers. Developers more strongly consider building in areas attractive to knowledge workers who prefer locations that offer outdoor recreational opportunities. Quality parks also instill a sense 3

8 January, 2018 of pride in the neighborhood and create social and family bonds leading to safer, cleaner neighborhoods. Niagara River Greenway Principles The guiding principles of the will be met as follows: Connectivity: The location of the Park along the proposed city-wide parks trail will increase connectivity and access by promoting access to other sites within the city and other regions of the Greenway Corridor. As a node on the city-wide parks trail, these improvements will assist in once again connecting neighborhoods to the waterfront. Authenticity and Celebration: Improvements to this Park and, thereby the Highland Avenue neighborhood, will preserve and promote the vital role the area played in the industrial development of the city, thereby establishing a connection to the character, culture and history of Niagara Falls. Partnerships: The City has forged several partnerships for the Park s restoration. Working with the Highland Community Revitalization Committee during development of the area s Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) project, these park improvements were cited as a priority. The City worked extensively with New York State in completing brownfield remediation and redevelopment. The City s relationship with Niagara County in completing the project has proven to be invaluable and has demonstrated the significance of these improvements. Community Based: These improvements promote the wishes of the Highland community as specified by the Highland Community Revitalization Committee during development of the BOA while furthering the goals of the City of Niagara Falls USA Niagara River Greenway Vision and Project Proposals by implementing a specific program to enhance city parks. As a link in the city-wide trail, this park will celebrate and promote the unique natural and cultural heritage of Niagara, one of the City s goals in its Greenway Vision and Project Proposals. Public Well-Being: D Amelio Park, as part of the city s proposed city-wide trail, will become an important agent in promoting community pride and enhancing the area s quality of life. Quality parks instill a sense of pride in the community and create social and family bonds leading to safer, cleaner neighborhoods. As a result, this project will achieve and promote physical and emotional wellness through the experience that it offers to the public. 4

9 January, 2018 Criteria Consistency with Principles: As previously demonstrated, these park improvements are in accordance with the Niagara River Greenway principles of Connectivity, Authenticity, Celebration, Partnerships, Community Based and Public Well-being. Focus Area: The Park is located within the core area of the Greenway boundaries. Situated close to the Niagara River Gorge and the Canadian border, the restoration of this park will contribute to the Greenway mission by promoting the City s heritage locally, regionally and internationally. Implementable: As previously stated, construction has already been completed and the Park has been opened. The City seeks financial assistance in closing out the financial portion of the project. Economic Viability/Local Sponsor: As the local sponsor, the City will consistently allocate the funding necessary for the Park s maintenance in its annual budget. Consideration of Other Planning Efforts: These improvements have been specifically addressed in the City s Parks Master Plan and the Highland Community Brownfield Opportunity Area Nomination Document. Clear Benefits: As previously stated, these improvements will contribute to increased quality of life, spark revitalization and provide numerous health benefits. Recreational opportunities also aid in youth development and deter them from negative behaviors, thereby contributing to a reduction in the crime rate. The Park s restoration will assist in the promotion of the area s diverse cultural heritage, encourage access to other sites within the city and other points of the Greenway corridor and, ultimately, contribute to the economic revitalization of the area. 5

10 January, 2018 Budget SOURCES OF FUNDS Loan #1 $ Grant #1: Niagara County $ 25,000 Other Source #1: City of Niagara Falls $214, TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDS $ 239, USE OF FUNDS Planning $ Construction $ 239, Acquisition $ Administration $ Operation and Maintenance / Year $ TOTAL USES OF FUNDS $ 239, TOTAL PROJECT COST $ 239, Budget Detail Site Preparation 82, Construction/Installation 157, Project Total: $239,

11 January, 2018 Describe the measures taken at the local level to gain community and government support for this project (hearings, petitions, public surveys, resolutions of support or other methods). If this project has been cited or described in a local planning document or some equivalent thereof, attach copies of that documentation highlighting the sections that are relevant to the proposed project. Describe the role of municipal agencies, stakeholder groups, consultants, volunteers or others who will be involved in the proposed project. As previously stated, the improvements made came about as a direct result of the City s cooperation with the Highland Community Revitalization Area during completion of the Highland Community Brownfield Opportunity Area Nomination Document. This project is also supported by the Niagara County Legislature as evidenced by the attached letter from the Niagara County Attorney s office. Describe and document the environmental setting and existing conditions at the proposed project site. If you are not the owner of the property include a letter(s) or resolution(s) evidencing support for the project by the owner. Provide photographs, conceptual plans and drawings that show the site as it presently exists and how the site will change with the addition of the proposed project. Describe how your project will comply with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The existence of wetlands, significant upland and aquatic habitats, and plant or animal species that are classified as rare, threatened, or endangered should be noted. Explain how such natural resources will be protected and/or enhanced. Cite any relevant project-related studies. The project site was tested for environmental soundness prior to construction and was found to have no negative impacts on the surrounding environment. 7

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