For Immediate Release

September 20, 2018

State, county and local officials participate in groundbreaking ceremony in Troy’s North Central neighborhood

New facility will feature concrete boat launch ramp, floating dock and kayak launch port to provide access to Hudson River for motorized, non-motorized watercraft

Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch site only waterfront access location south of Federal Lock & Dam for approximately ten miles

Construction of boat launch, other waterfront amenities achieves objective identified in City’s Comprehensive Plan to reconnect Troy’s neighborhoods to the Hudson River

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TROY, NY – As part of the City’s continued efforts to expand public access to the Hudson River and support the continued revitalization of Troy’s waterfront, Mayor Patrick Madden today announced the start of construction on the Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch in the Collar City’s burgeoning North Central neighborhood. When completed, the site will enhance 500 feet of Hudson River waterfront to improve access to the waterway south of the Troy Federal Lock and Dam for motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

Mayor Patrick Madden said, “The Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch project is another significant piece of our ongoing efforts to physically reconnect Troy residents with the Hudson River. When complete, this new waterfront destination will serve as a premiere fishing and boating access location for the Capital Region and enhance Troy’s waterfront for the enjoyment of boaters, fishers and kayakers alike. This new recreational amenity will be a wonderful addition to our growing waterfront, attracting new visitors and generating important economic activity in our community.”

The Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch will feature a concrete boat launch ramp, floating dock and kayak launch port. The kayak port and dock will be ADA compliant and accessible for all users. Ingalls Avenue will also be regraded and repaved to allow for vehicle and trailer access. Additional upland improvements include new sidewalks, lighting, driveways and bio retention areas to help divert storm water from the local sewer system. The site will also serve as a key connection for public access to existing and planned linkages throughout the City, including the Uncle Sam Bike Trail and existing public transportation services. Additionally, the launch will complement the 123rd Street Boat Launch in the City’s historic Lansingburgh neighborhood.

The boat launch project was funded through a $1.05M grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and the Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Additional funding for the project was provided through a $43,762 EPF “Eco Docks” grant for construction of the kayak launch. Preliminary site work was funded through a $12,500 grant provided by Scenic Hudson for site investigation associated with prior use and activities at the planned boat launch location. Additional funding was provided through New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Grant and Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Grant programs for initial site design and maintenance. The total cost associated with the City’s share of the project is approximately $14,587.

The project also received a $12,500 grant from Scenic Hudson for site investigation associated with prior use and activities at the planned boat launch location. Listed as a Class 2 site on the State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites, National Grid completed remediation of contaminated soil earlier this year to address historic manufactured gas impacts to the area, helping restore this Brownfield site to active use.

New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, “We are proud to join with the City of Troy to support the development of this boat launch, which will provide access and beautification for the entire waterfront. The Hudson Valley serves as an economic and cultural lifeline for our state, and the Department of State stands ready to help waterfront communities harness its potential.”

“DEC is proud to have helped bring this brownfield site back to productive life by overseeing its cleanup and supporting the City of Troy to make this boat launch project a reality,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch will provide more New Yorkers with access to the Hudson River while at the same time utilizing green infrastructure to help reenergize Troy’s waterfront.”

Jeffrey Anzevino, Scenic Hudson’s Director of Land Use Advocacy said, “Scenic Hudson is pleased to have assisted the City of Troy in creating the Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch by providing initial funding. This new facility benefits residents and visitors by increasing their opportunities to connect with Troy’s most important natural asset—the Hudson River.”

Construction of waterfront amenities such as the Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch is identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan which highlights the need for the City to reconnect to the Hudson River. The Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch site is also listed as a priority site on the Hudson River Estuary Program Boating Access Plan. The location is the best available boat launch site south of the Troy Dam for approximately ten miles offering access to a large urban population where it is extremely limited due to Interstate 787. Easily accessible from I-787 and Route 7, the Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch is positioned to become one of the region’s premiere waterfront access locations south of the federal Lock and Dam.

The Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch is also identified on Rensselaer Land Trust’s recently released Hudson River Access Plan.This plan, which covers all seven waterfront communities in Rensselaer County, identifies places along the Hudson River waterfront where residents and visitors can access the water. It was prepared using information on existing conditions at 44 sites and provides recommendations for improved access along the entire Rensselaer County waterfront. When implemented, with direct involvement of each river community, Rensselaer County will have a significantly more accessible waterfront.

Preliminary site work commenced in August, with in-water construction scheduled to occur beginning October 1 through November 30, 2018. The City anticipates all elements of the project will be substantially complete by summer 2019.

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Press Contact:

John Salka, Deputy Director of Public Information

[email protected] / (518) 279-7131