Transformational Thursdays Q&A
General DRI-Project Questions:
Will there be one overall “master designer” for all of the DRI projects?
There will not be an overall “master designer” for all DRI projects. The development at the Main/Spring Lots will be designed by the team from Wilder Balter Partners and St. Katherine Group. The Village will release a competitive RFP (Request for Proposal) for each of the Village-sponsored projects separately (Multi-Modal Hub, Market Square, and the Community Center) and respondents to each will likely be quite different. For example, a firm that proposes to re-design the Community Center will need to have experience with recreational facilities and the NYStretch Code, whereas a firm who proposes to re-design Market Square would require experience in landscape architecture. The Village, however, is aware of the need for all of these projects to integrate seamlessly and is committed to working with each project team to ensure this happens.
If Market Square and the Main/Spring Lots will be expanded and developed (respectively), where are people going to park?
One of the larger projects under the DRI is the construction of a Multi-Modal Transportation Hub on what is currently the Village-owned Brandreth Municipal Parking Lot (behind Open Door and along the Aqueduct). Aside from replacing the surface parking on the Main/Spring Lots and adding additional spaces (totaling roughly 240 parking spaces), the “Hub” will include extensive facilities for electric vehicle/e-bike/e-scooter parking, and potentially a kiosk for e-bike rentals so visitors without their own e-bikes can “park, ride, eat, and shop”. The Main/Spring development will also have some parking allotted to residents of the building there.
Will we need to raise taxes to do this work?
The DRI investment, along with additional grant funds from ESD (Empire State Development), CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and the NY Main Streets Program under NYSHCR (Housing and Community Renewal) have been leveraged to fund the vast majority of this work. Some projects we are working on have been accounted for in the Village’s annual operating budget, while others are being financed by debt issuance. However, it is important to keep in mind that projects are staggered in such a way that allows a smoothing of debt service levels, which in turn will keep the Village’s tax rate reasonably steady, as it has been for several years.
Community Center:
What can be expected with regards to the pool and locker room updates?
The resurfacing of the pool and the locker room renovations are projects that have long been on the Village’s wish list—in fact, the locker rooms in their current state were built to accompany Ossining’s outdoor pool before the indoor pool we have today was constructed! The locker rooms will be completely rebuilt with a full demo, followed by new lockers, plumbing, showers, restrooms, ceilings and lights. The floor of the pool itself will also be resurfaced, and new lighting will be installed above the pool area. This work will be funded by a $500K CREST grant secured by our former Assemblywoman Sandy Galef. The contract is in place for this work, which is expected to commence in August 2023 and be completed by end of 2023. While work on the locker room is underway, temporary facilities will be in place to ensure that the pool will still be available for use.
How is the Village approaching inclusivity in our Recreation facilities Village-wide?
Though unrelated to DRI, we have done one inclusive playground at Veterans Park (funded by a SAM Grant from our former Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick), and have been approved for funding to do another at Nelson Sitting Park (funded in part by Community Development Block Grants). As we go forward updating our other parks in the years ahead, we will keep inclusivity and accessibility at top of mind.
Multi-Modal Hub:
What is “The Hub”?
The Multi-Modal Transportation Hub will be a multi-level structure constructed on the space currently occupied by the Brandreth Municipal Lot (behind Upper Main Street/ Open Door). Concept plans for The Hub include around 240 parking spaces in support of downtown uses and the Community Center, as well as amenities for electric vehicle (EV) and electric bike charging and storage, e-bike rental facilities, parking pay stations, security/ lighting infrastructure, and a direct connection to the Aqueduct Trail. Other amenities (based on public input) may include public restrooms, short-term lockers for backpacks/ strollers, or a digital information kiosk. Construction of The Hub is the first project in the overall series, as creating this parking will unlock the development potential on the Main and Spring Street lots. The hope is also to construct this building as one that can be adaptively reused in some way once cars are no longer our primary form of transportation.
Will any of the construction work include underground cabling that enables us to add large-scale charging in the future?
Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and e-bikes/e-scooters will be a central feature of the Multi-Modal Transportation Hub.
Are electric bicycles being considered for The Hub, or Ossining in general?
We are learning more about these—stay tuned!
Station Plaza:
Will Metro North be consulted/involved with beautification efforts at the Waterfront?
Metro North is an important stakeholder in many waterfront projects related to flood mitigation and sea level rise. The Village plans to continue partnering with them in this vein, while also continuing to engage with them around the promotion of public transportation, tourism and additional environmental efforts.
Market Square:
How do we make it more comfortable for visitors to spend time downtown? Are restrooms being considered for any of these public spaces? What about public WiFi, water fountains, or speakers for music during events?
The plans for Market Square’s expansion are expected to include restrooms and water fountains (including bottle fillers). Public WiFi was discussed as part of the DRI project list (though was ultimately not selected for funding) and would likely be incorporated. A sound system for the stage area may also be considered.
Placemaking:
What will the role of the Placemaking Committee be with the DRI projects?
The Placemaking Committee should be fully constituted by July of 2023. This body, in concert with the Board of Trustees, will offer advice and suggestions on public spaces within the Village-sponsored DRI projects as well as complementary projects as they progress, such as the development of Spring on Main, improvements to Westerly Road, 200 Main Street, and the Route 9 Road Diet.
How does the public engage with the Placemaking Committee?
While the Placemaking Committee will only have eleven appointed members, the hope is to create a larger circle within the community where residents and business owners can share their ideas to help make our public spaces more creative, inclusive, functional and fun. It is expected that the eleven member Placemaking Committee will hold their first meeting during Summer 2023. There will also be an email address where the public can submit ideas directly to the Committee.
Will the Placemaking Committee be considering sponsors for Street Murals around the Village?
Some studies have shown that murals painted onto the street in areas with high-speed traffic have the potential to slow traffic down! The Village Board will consider this multi-functional approach, but there will be no shortage of ideas to explore—which is a good thing!
Connectivity
How is the Village working to connect the Downtown with the Waterfront?
The Village is still exploring options to make this connection from a “mass transportation” angle by acquiring, or contracting with a company who runs electric shuttles throughout the Village, which will help eliminate the need for commuters, shoppers, and those who work locally to drive to their destination. In the short term, the Village looks forward to the introduction of Project MOVER, which will make pedal-assist e-bikes accessible to all who live, work, and visit Ossining. We are also investing significantly in enhancing walkability by rebuilding and widening sidewalks, updating pedestrian access at intersections, and introducing wayfinding signage to make walking and biking more intuitive.
How to Learn More
When will the Village be at the Farmers Market? When will Walking Tours take place?
We will be “popping up” at the Ossining Farmers Market in Market Square on the following Saturdays between 9AM and 12PM:
- July 15th
- August 12th, 19th & 26th
- September 9th
The Board of Trustees will be guiding walking tours of the DRI Boundary Area (the Downtown Waterfront District) on the following dates and times—all tours will leave from (and return to) the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center at 95 Broadway, and will last around two hours:
- Thursday, July 6th @ 5:30PM
- Wednesday, July 26th @ 9AM
- Saturday, September 9th @ 10AM
- Thursday, September 21st @ 5:30PM
Please follow the Village’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as the weekly Mayor’s Message (subscribe here) for updates on other engagement opportunities around the DRI, as well as weather-related cancelations.
I have a question that wasn’t answered here: how can I reach the Village to find out more about what interests me?
Email Plan@villageofossining.org and the BOT or Village staff will get back to you.