Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan has announced major plans for the Corning Preserve. Barry Wygel has the story.
ALBANY, N.Y. -- It's a very exciting day in the city of Albany. Pretty soon the Corning Preserve is going to look a lot different and not only because it is getting a new name.
"Three words are enhanced in the city of Albany: quality of life," said Senator Neil Breslin.
It's time for a facelift.
"Without this river, Albany wouldn't be here," said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
A long complaint about the city of Albany has been that the waterfront is underused. Mayor Sheehan wants to address those concerns.
"We want to make sure that it is as accessible as possible," said Sheehan.
The city is embarking on a $5 million project that will create new bike paths, sidewalks, light fixtures, visitor kiosks, and overall improve the safety and accessibility of the park.
"We're also traffic calming Quay Street. So it's going to be calmed down, from two lanes to one lane, with better accommodations for cyclists and pedestrians," said Sheehan.
But the part that will instantly be the most recognizable change is in the name.
"We're calling it what it is, the Corning Riverfront Park," said Sheehan.
The $5 million construction project isn't the end of the project, there's actually going to be many follow up things that go on here in the years to come.