NYS Department of State Approves Waterfront Revitalization Plans for City of Little Falls

ALBANY, NY (12/15/2010)(readMedia)-- Acting New York Secretary of State Ruth Noemí Colón announced her approval of the city of Little Falls Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, a long-term management program for the city's waterfront resources along the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal.

"The City is to be commended for working to establish a long-term revitalization program that seeks to strengthen the local economy, expand waterfront access opportunities and protect natural and cultural resources," Acting Secretary Colón said. "The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program establishes collaboration between the city and the state, assuring that we work in partnership to implement this revitalization strategy. Located at a historically strategic point along the Erie Canal, Little Falls is blessed with waterfront resources that played pivotal role in its heritage and are also key to its future."

The Department of State's Office of Coastal, Local Government and Community Sustainability works in partnership with more than 200 communities across the state through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program – from Sag Harbor on Long Island's East End to Buffalo along Lake Erie.

A significant part of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program is an implementation strategy that describes what the community can do on its own and where it needs help from state and other public agencies. For Little Falls' LWRP to be approved, the city adopted some necessary revisions to its zoning laws, while at the same time it received $25,000 from the state's Environmental Protection Fund to help prepare the plan.

Acting Secretary Colón added: "We stand committed to continuing our productive partnership with Little Falls through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. To begin its implementation, we provided a grant of $324,275 last year to the city to develop a pedestrian bridge across the Erie Canal, which will connect the downtown business district to the Canal Harbor facility, as well as further enhancements at the Canal Harbor and Rotary Park. The project will provide additional public access opportunities and further strengthen Little Falls as one of the seven major harbor centers for recreational boaters along the State Canal System."

Little Falls Mayor Robert Peters said: "The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program establishes a consensus on future actions needed to continue our rebirth, including projects that will strengthen the downtown and improve our ability to take advantage of canal-related tourism opportunities. The Department of State is to be commended for this proactive approach to helping communities like Little Falls."

James Palmer, chairman of the City of Little Falls Planning Board, which oversaw preparation of the program, said: "The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program not only identifies local needs but also advances statewide efforts aimed at revitalization of the State Canal System. The program assures that the city and the state of New York will all work together to help revitalize our community. We greatly appreciate the Department of State's efforts to work as partners with us."

The city of Little Falls is located in Herkimer County, halfway between Syracuse and Albany along I-90.

###

Additional news available at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/about/prelease.html

New York State Department of State | info@dos.state.ny.us | 518.486.9846 | 212.417.5801

Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NYDeptofState) and Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/2dkkkvg)