Press Release: NYS, March 23, 2000

Governor Pataki today announced the award of $480,000 to Onondaga County to provide a multi-use trail on the west shore of Onondaga Lake Park. The Governor announced a total of $1.8 million in awards for 10 projects in the Central New York Region that will provide pedestrian/bicycle trails, revitalize downtown areas and improve access to recreational and scenic areas.

"As we continue to invest in the cleanup and restoration of Onondaga Lake, we must also invest in the resources needed to allow families to take full advantage of this recovering natural resource," Governor Pataki said.

"Each year, more than 800,000 residents and visitors explore the wonders of Onondaga Lake via the well-maintained and easily accessible East Shore trail. By investing in needed improvements to the West Shore Trail we will encourage families and tourists to visit the west side of the lake, bringing even more visitors to the region and enabling all to enjoy the natural and recreational resources of the Onondaga Lake Park."

"From expanding opportunities in Onondaga Lake Park to providing a 'gateway' to the City of Auburn, these community enhancement initiatives will improve access to recreational areas as well as downtown corridors in Central New York, spurring economic development and an improved quality of life throughout the region," the Governor said.

Congressman James T. Walsh said, "Governor Pataki has once again shown that he knows the needs of Central New York. This funding will go a long way towards improving our recreational potential, our quality of life, and the tourism industry we depend on so much."

Senator John DeFrancisco said, "I am pleased to have worked with Governor Pataki on these vital projects and would like to thank him for his continued commitment to the people of Central New York. I am particularly excited about the fact that these grants will promote recreation and enhance the natural, cultural and historic aspects of several communities in Central New York. This is another example of how partnerships between State and local governments can improve New York's economy and ensure our state continues to be the best place in the country to live and raise a family."

Senator Jim Wright said, "Mexico, Fulton and all of Oswego County will benefit from the projects afforded by these grants. The quaint beauty of downtown Mexico and the Towpath Trail along the canal in Fulton will clearly benefit from these projects. Thanks to Governor Pataki's continued support of tourism, our scenic and historical villages will not only be enhanced but, our tourism related businesses will be strengthened -- helping our local economy."

Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffman said, Governor Pataki has made expanding tourism a top priority of his administration. The Governor has assembled a top-notch team that provides great assistance to Syracuse. We will continue to work together to make the most of New York's natural resources."

Senator John R. Kuhl, Jr. said, "I am delighted to learn of the Governor's decision to fund these projects in Fulton and Mexico. The Towpath Trail project in Fulton represents the continuing effort by local officials to capitalize upon the recreational and tourism potential of the Oswego Canal. The Village of Mexico's plan to rehabilitate its business district streetscape will provide additional incentives for residents and visitors alike to enjoy and experience the unique offerings of uptown Mexico."

County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro said, "This partnership between Onondaga County, Governor Pataki and the State of New York will significantly increase access to the west shore of Onondaga Lake. The Governor has consistently demonstrated his commitment to helping make Onondaga Lake and its shoreline a critical environmental and recreational resource. This grant will enable us to provide an opportunity for more people to enjoy nature's wealth."

Mayor Roy A. Bernardi said, "On behalf of the people of Syracuse, I thank Governor Pataki for securing this funding to improve the recreational and environmental conditions surrounding Onondaga Lake. This new recreation trail will link lakeside neighborhoods with Syracuse Lakefront, Inner Harbor, and even downtown as the Onondaga Creekwalk is extended. While environmental in focus, today's announcement is important to the redevelopment of Syracuse and Central New York."

The projects receiving funding are:

Onondaga Lake Park West Shore Trail
$480,000
Onondaga County

The existing condition of the Onondaga Lake Park West Shore Trail includes a two-mile long trail that is inadequate for bicycles, in-line skates, strollers, wheelchairs and other methods of wheeled trail use. The project will improve the existing surface by providing a new asphalt foundation and top course to create a smooth, stable, handicapped-accessible, all-weather surface. The improved West Shore Trail will extend from the pedestrian bridge (which crosses over I-690) from Alhan Parkway (Town of Geddes) and the residential area it serves northward to Longbranch Road where it links up with the existing East Shore Trail. This project will lead to the increased use of the West Shore Trail by a wider range of people, including the handicapped.

Liverpool Commuter Corridor Beautification Project
$305,678
Village of Liverpool, Onondaga County

The project will enhance the streetscape in the Village of Liverpool along a major commuter corridor including the installation of sidewalks, improvement of crosswalks and public park renovations. Specific elements of the project include erecting banner poles reminiscent of period street lighting; providing "Gateway" aesthetic elements (landscaping, a fountain and sculptures with local historic theme); erecting a brick wall and sidewalk on the north side of Washington Park, which abuts the Route 57 (Oswego Street) commuter corridor; and constructing an entryway with patterned crosswalks at the eastern end of Onondaga Lake Park (visual gateway to the village).

The project will improve scenic quality of the village; enhance value of a public park as cultural resource; promote economic activity by increasing pedestrian traffic and improving access to village business center and parks.

Main Street & North Street Streetscape and Sidewalk Improvements
$108,000
Village of Marcellus, Onondaga County

The project will enhance the transportation system through beautification of the street by re-introducing trees along Village streets. It also will include the replacement of deteriorated sidewalks along the northwest corner of Main Street (Route 41) and North Street (Route 174), replacing them with an aesthetically pleasing walkway that enhances the newly planted trees. Project also includes improvements to improve handicapped accessibility to local businesses.

Skaneateles Gateway West
$342,000
Town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County

Will enhance the user safety and visual quality along Skaneateles' major east/west highway corridor (Route 20) by providing landscaping and other beautification. Improvements to the western gateway of Skaneateles will slow traffic and enhance the historic village character.

Project will reduce curbs, and eliminate parking spaces that back out onto Route 20. Project will provide sidewalks for pedestrians, create crosswalks, and reduce truck loading and unloading in Skaneateles.

Towpath Trail
$140,000
City of Fulton, Oswego County

Development of a ½ mile of paved trail along the east bank of the Oswego Canal between the Broadway and Oneida Street bridges, providing easy access for bicyclists, pedestrians and non-vehicular traffic. New plantings of shrubs, shade and flowering trees will frame the scenic beauty of the old towpath, highlighting the rock formations, trees and wild flowers along the east bank. The project will also include lighting fixtures, benches and historic interpretive signs. Project will preserve and positively influence the scenic quality and natural resources along the river, continuous public access to the downtown waterfront, enhance tourism-related offerings and improve marketability of the community.

Village of Mexico Business District Streetscape
$148,900
Oswego County

The project will use historic sidewalk pavers, new curbing, benches, trees, and planters to enhance the aesthetics of the village business district. The removal of the present sidewalk and curbing will be undertaken by the Village Department of Public Works. Aesthetic beautification improvement in sidewalks and benches will allow pedestrians to safely congregate, rest and socialize; and planting of trees will improve the overall scenic area will encourage people to shop and visit the uptown Mexico area more readily. Architectural pavers with inscriptions will be utilized in the frontage pavers of each business.

Freedom Trail Arterial Greenway
$250,000
City of Auburn, Cayuga County

The project consists of landscaping and scenic beautification of the primary gateway entry into the City of Auburn's center. The "arterial greening" includes removing the existing asphalt and the installation of new landscape plantings. The project provides for the scenic beautification of the City's major corridors, which will help increase tourism and economic development.

The project consists of landscaping and scenic beautification of the primary gateway entries into the City of Auburn's center. The "arterial greening" includes removing the existing asphalt and the installation of new landscape plantings. Two components are the greening of the arterial median strip and the two gateway entries, the west end arterial from Columbia Street to Washington Street and the east end arterial from Fulton Street to John Street, into the downtown area.

When the Route 5 arterial was constructed in the mid-1970s, the center median was left as asphalt pavement between the travel lanes. This has left an impact on the visual character of the community.

The grants announced today are funded from the federal Transportation Enhancement Program. The approved projects were selected as a result of a process that included priority rankings made by local officials around the state, and a statewide Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee that included representatives from the NYS Association of Counties; the National Audubon Society; the Environmental Defense Fund; the NYS Board for Historic Preservation; the Empire State Development Corporation; the NYS Department of State; the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Additional project awards are expected in 2001.