Governor Paterson Highlights Smart Growth Investment for Upstate

ALBANY, NY (10/12/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today was joined by Senator William T. Stachowski, Senator Antoine M. Thompson and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt at the Buffalo Niagara Square to highlight the passage of three pieces of Smart Growth legislation. The Smart Growth legislation will guide the State in making more sustainable and strategic infrastructure investments, create jobs, increase property values and revitalize historic areas, particularly those in upstate New York.

"An investment in smart, sustainable growth is an investment in the long-term fiscal, economic and environmental viability of the State," Governor Paterson said. "This package of Smart Growth laws puts our State front-and-center in the movement for urban revitalization, livable communities and sustainable infrastructure investment. I commend everyone involved with these vital bills, particularly bill sponsors Senators Dave Valesky, Brian Foley and Suzi Oppenheimer, and Assemblymen Sam Hoyt and Steve Englebright. Together we are ushering in a new era of investing infrastructure dollars in Smart Growth and sustainable communities."

The three new laws that the Governor highlighted today are:

• The Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act, which guides the State in making more sustainable and strategic infrastructure investments. This legislation requires State agencies to create Smart Growth Advisory Committees that would evaluate public infrastructure investments based on the Smart Growth criteria and will require such investments to meet the criteria to the extent practicable.

• The Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Tax Credit Fix, which builds on a previous tax credit signed into law by Governor Paterson in 2009, and will allow banks and insurance companies to apply the recently expanded Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program for commercial projects against their State franchise tax liability. The new and improved historic rehabilitation tax credit will help cities throughout upstate New York use historic preservation as a tool for economic development, tourism, environmental protection, neighborhood aesthetics and cultural heritage.

• The Model Senior-Friendly/Age-Integrated Planning, Zoning and Housing Guidelines, which directs State Office for the Aging and Department of State to create model zoning and planning guidelines that foster age-integrated communities and allow accessory senior citizens units in areas zoned for single family residences. The law also recommends mixed-use senior housing development and promotes mixed-use development that accommodates senior citizens.

This legislative package builds on Governor Paterson's ongoing efforts to incorporate the principles of Smart Growth and sustainability into the State's spending, policies and operations. Under the Governor's leadership the Smart Growth Cabinet, led by the Governor's Director of Smart Growth Planning Paul Beyer, has been incorporating Smart Growth and sustainability into State operations and programs at various agencies, including: the Department of State, Department of Environmental Conservation, Environmental Facilities Corporation, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Agriculture & Markets and Department of Transportation, among others. The Cabinet has also been promoting Smart Growth legislative reforms.

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The following statements were provided in support of Smart Growth investments for upstate New York:

Senator Brian X. Foley said: "Smart growth development is the only way we will be able to create modern, sustainable communities that protect the open space we still have in New York. The legislation I sponsored to create model zoning guidelines that encourage age-integrated communities will not only achieve the goals of smart growth development, but will also allow a greater number of senior citizens to remain in their communities for longer periods of time."

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer said: "Planning for infrastructure improvements in a way that protects our natural resources makes sense economically, as well as environmentally. I want to thank Governor Paterson for signing this landmark legislation into law."

Senator William T. Stachowski said: "This legislation represents intelligent foresight and planning which will impact the economic, environmental and internal health of our communities and State for years to come. I commend the Governor and my colleagues for their vision and this action which will directly benefit Western New York and the entire State as well."

Senator Antoine M. Thompson said: "These bills represent an important step in providing every day New Yorkers with the stability they need to improve their lives and to boost our economy. Fixing these historic properties will help create good paying jobs. The bills will also ensure that the New York State government remains a partner in the delivery of government services."

Senator David J. Valesky said: "Investment in our communities is essential to economic growth Upstate. By expanding the historic rehabilitation tax credit, we will attract developers to invest in larger projects in our communities, leading to job creation and economic expansion. I thank the Governor for recognizing the importance of this legislation to upstate New York."

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt said: "Thank you, Governor Paterson, for choosing to sign these bills in Buffalo. The Smart Growth/Public Infrastructure Act and the improved Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit law will have a transformational impact on upstate New York. The first, by requiring that State infrastructure money be invested only when consistent with smart regional planning, thus minimizing sprawl which has been so harmful to upstate. The second will have an immediate impact on restoring our historic buildings and adding new life to our struggling central business districts. The tax credit law will be the catalyst for over $250 million in private sector investment over the next two years and will create thousands of jobs for our skilled trades workers."

Assemblyman Mark Schroeder said: "Decades of uncontrolled sprawl have had a devastating effect on Upstate cities like Buffalo, stretching out infrastructure to unsustainable levels while hollowing out the urban core. Smart Growth legislation will help us reinvest in our cities, while strengthening the economic viability of the entire region."

Empire State Development Chairman and CEO Dennis M. Mullen said: "Historic preservation has always been an important component of community development. With the reforms to the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Bill that Governor Paterson is signing into law today, we now enhance the economic development component as well. By granting local businesses and developers greater access to capital and tax credits, we are providing an opportunity for increased investment, job creation and neighborhood revitalization that are so vital in boosting local economies, particularly in upstate New York. Leveraging resources in such a challenging fiscal environment is not only critical to businesses, but, more importantly, honors local history while looking forward to what lies ahead in the future for our communities."

Robert M. Simpson, President of the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, said: "The Governor and his Smart Growth cabinet have positioned New York at the forefront of a critical national conversation -- how to create jobs, promote sustainability, improve equity, and reduce the long-term fiscal impacts of sprawl. The business community understands that unfettered and sprawling growth patterns increase the long-term costs of government and strangle the State's economic competitiveness."

Peter Fleischer, Executive Director of Empire State Future, said: "The promise of an upstate New York developed along lines that are environmentally and economically sustainable will take time. Revitalizing New York's faded industrial places will not be easy. But today, Empire State Future, the State's first and only statewide Smart Growth advocacy coalition notes and applauds this suite of bills that will meaningfully advance the cause."

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