2) Western Gateway Transportation Center

OBJECTIVE: In response to the transportation, economic and tourism needs of the region, the City of Schenectady has proposed the development of the Western Gateway Transportation Center.

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION: The Center will help to address a number of needs, including the revitalization of Downtown Schenectady, replacement of outdated rail and bus facilities and the introduction of high speed rail service between New York City and Buffalo. There is also substantial need to upgrade transportation facilities in Schenectady based on the existing and forecast ridership for the different modes of travel using the facility. The ridership data is summarized below.

Total annual ridership from the Schenectady Amtrak Station in FY 97 was 73,000, up 8% from the FY 96 total of 67,000 (Amtrak personnel, 1998). Ridership is forecast to grow 33% by 2015 at Schenectady, resulting in approximately 95,000 passengers annually (Source: Amtrak, 1999). The High Speed Rail improvements to the Empire Service corridor will contribute substantially to this ridership increase. Amtrak is forecasting a 150% increase in ridership along the NYC to Buffalo corridor due to the High Speed Rail improvements.

The primary destinations for weekday travelers are evenly split between New York City and Buffalo. On weekends, the most popular destinations are Montreal and New York City. Most passengers who drive to the station are residents of Schenectady, southern Saratoga and northwestern Albany counties.

A two-year demonstration project to provide commuter rail service between Saratoga Springs and Albany is currently being planned. The anticipated demand for this service has been incorporated into the Master Plan.

Thirteen bus routes operated by the CDTA serve the project vicinity. The Route 55 is the most significant route in the vicinity of the facility. The route provides service between downtown Schenectady and downtown Albany, via Route 5/Central Avenue. It also has the highest ridership in the CDTA system, with over 4,500 average weekday passengers.

Intercity bus service will be provided by Adirondack Trailways and Greyhound. The estimated ridership is approximately 20,000 - 22,500 passengers annually based on observed use. A conservative estimate of slightly more than one percent annual growth through 2015 would result in approximately 27,000-30,000 passengers. The majority of passengers are bound to and from New York City.

DESIGN/SCOPE: The proposed Center will include an intermodal facility, four story office building (80,000 square feet), transportation-related museum, restaurant/retail shop (20,000 square feet) and a public plaza. The intermodal facility will link intercity rail and bus service, local bus service, commuter rail, automobile and bicycle and pedestrian traffic at a single location in the downtown. A 275 space parking structure will be constructed to serve the office building and long term rail and bus passengers.

A Master Plan has been completed for the Gateway Center. The development of the Master Plan involved a broad array of representatives of the City, county, regional, state and private interests. The Master Plan has been adopted by the City and has been endorsed in the City’s Downtown Comprehensive Plan.

The City has prepared a Request for Development Proposals and financial pro forma analysis for the project. The City intends to invite the private development community to participate in construction and/or ownership of all or part of the Center.

BUDGET: The total project cost is estimated at $33,000,000, which includes anticipated substantial private funding. The costs and expected initiation date for each phase is outlined below:

Package I ($15.5 million - Year 2000 Start Date) includes:

· Site Acquisition/Design/Environmental Assessment

· Construction of the Intermodal Facility

· Construction of Public Plaza/Clock Tower ($2.0 M)

· Site/Circulation Development

· Parking Garage ($4.0 M)

Package II ($11.5 million - Year 2000 Start Date) includes:

· Office Building (Private Funding)

Package III ($6.5 million - Start Date pending funding) includes:

· Museum Train Shed Construction

· Gazette Press Building Revitalization for Museum

STATUS/SCHEDULE: The City is proceeding with site acquisition and environmental review of the project. The project is anticipated to take approximately one year to design and two years to construct. Development may occur in three phases as funding becomes available.

RESPONSIBLE AGENCY: The City of Schenectady

Contact Person: Commissioner Milton G. Mitchell, City of Schenectady, Department of Engineering and Public Works, 518-382-5093.

Partner Agencies: New York State Department of Transportation, Capital District Transportation Authority, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak).