CNU New York

CNU 24 The Transforming City - Detroit, Michigan June 8-11, 2016

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Member Project: Storrs Center

Storrs Center Selected as Finalist for ULI Global Awards for Excellence

Storrs Center is one of twenty-two real estate developments that were selected as finalists in the 2015 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Global Awards for Excellence.  The competition is widely recognized as one of the land use industry’s most prestigious award programs and includes entries from around the globe.

Storrs Center is a mixed-use town center and main street corridor at the crossroads of the Town of Mansfield, Connecticut and the University of Connecticut. Located along Storrs Road adjacent to the University, the Town Hall, the regional high school, and the community center, Storrs Center knits thoughtful architecture, pedestrian-oriented streets, and public spaces into a series of small neighborhoods that make up the new fabric of the town center. Ground floor retail and commercial uses opening onto landscaped sidewalks reinforce traditional street front activity and is supported by residences above and shared community spaces.

“We are thrilled that Storrs Center has been selected as a finalist for the ULI Global Awards for Excellence,” said Howard Kaufman, CEO and Principal of LeylandAlliance LLC, the master developer of Storrs Center.  “It is a significant honor for Storrs Center to be recognized as one of the finest new real estate projects in the world.  Credit goes to our entire development team, and our great partners at EdR, the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, the Town of Mansfield, the University of Connecticut, and the community as a whole.”

Issues: Housing Affordability

image: Gloria Robinson Court Homes source: http://urbanomnibus.net/

Housing affordability is a statewide issue and not just a New York City issue. In fact New York State is facing a once-in-a-generation affordable housing crisis with more than 3 million households paying over 30 percent of their income on housing costs.[1]

In his State of the State address Gov. Cuomo proposed a $20 billion, five-year statewide housing and homelessness plan. The funding includes $9.7 billion to pay for 94,000 below-market-rate apartments throughout the state and $2.6 billion for 6,000 “supportive housing” units. The remainder would cover the cost of 1,000 emergency housing units and other initiatives to help the state’s homelessness population.

Concurrently, New York City is implementing its ten-year plan to create and restore 200,000 affordable housing units. The New York City Council just completed a two-day hearing on the plan.

These State and City proposed initiatives, and the more localized activities by affordable housing organizations, create an unprecedented opportunity for CNU New York to advocate the creation of affordable neighborhoods that are inclusive and walkable and of affordable buildings that foster diversity.

Several CNU New York members have been involved in a variety of affordable housing initiatives in the City and in the State and the Empire State Urbanist will highlight members’ activities in this arena.

Housing affordability is also a major component of CNU 24.

 

[1] Sam Marks, LISC NYC’s Executive Director

Member Projects: The East Main Arts & Market Initiative

The East Main Arts & Market Initiative is a visioning project to transform a half-square mile study area close to Downtown Rochester. The project centers around East Main Street, which in many ways acts as a barrier rather than as the main connector that its name implies.

The project looked at how the diverse surrounding neighborhoods’ strengths can catalyze revitalization and mixed-use development. Arts & cultural institutions and the Rochester Public Market are integral to the turnaround, from fresh produce to visiting Broadway shows.

Of interest to New Urbanists were the Initiative’s Charrette-like public open houses, with residents giving input via collaborative mapping, interactive street cross-sections, etc. At the foot of the site is the infamous Inner Loop (I-490), which is now a leading teardown in CNU’s Highways to Boulevards campaign. 

The project seeks to reactivate what had historically been neighborhood retail corridors and hubs along key streets and intersections and to foster infill development affordable to current & new residents (including live/work space for creative professionals).

Below are “before” and “after” images (Source: EDR) of what the final plan envisions.

The East Main Arts & Market Initiative began in 2015 with the City of Rochester and community residents & businesses, and includes New York’s own transportation planning firm of Sam Schwartz. Other firms on the team are Interface Studio, EDR and H2. The project demonstrates collaborative placemaking and revitalization within an economic core of Upstate New York. Read more at www.facebook.com/EastMainStreetRochester.

Multi-modal transportation is central to the effort, with safety, accessibility and comfort in mind for walkers, bicyclists & transit users. East Main Street would see widened sidewalks, center medians, upgraded bus stops and separated bike lanes, to name a few.

Save the Date!

CNU New York & CDC Rochester present:

Save the date for an exciting and informative regional conference in Rochester's historic East End, with national and local New Urbanists, including Western New York's best known urban designers, developers and community leaders. The organizers of CNU 24 will be there to preview the National conference in Detroit, set for June. There will be mobile workshops, keynote speakers, panels and extensive opportunities for you to participate. Watch for details on early registration.