Waterfront Project Would Produce Nearly Ten-Fold Traffic Increase in Local Neighborhoods

Research shows home values, neighborhood life usually suffer with sharp traffic increases

(KINGSTON) - Each day approximately 16,000 to 18,000 more vehicle trips - nearly a 10-fold increase - would burden local roads in Ponckhockie and East Kingston neighborhoods, according to expert analysis of AVR Realty's massive development proposed for the city's last open Hudson River waterfront.

Scenic Hudson and the Friends of Kingston Waterfront (FoKW) coalition said the developer's current traffic mitigation focuses on Route 32 and would not address the project's traffic impacts on nearby local streets. Neighborhood streets now shared by a few hundred cars and children riding bikes and playing in front yards would be transformed into busy thoroughfares. The groups also highlighted research that shows when traffic sharply increases, property values usually suffer and neighbors interact less.

Supportive of redevelopment but favoring smaller project, better road plan
FoKW's eight local and regional groups today submitted a preliminary traffic report on The Landing project, citing their concerns, to the Kingston Planning Board. FoKW requested that the board require an analysis that includes a more direct connection to Route 32, a road design that discourages traffic through local neighborhoods and a project alternative that generates less traffic. Currently AVR Realty has proposed no mitigation measures for local neighborhoods. Instead the developer has focused on handling the problems once cars reach Route 32. Their suggested remedy is to add five traffic lights there, adjust timing intervals on existing lights and restripe some lanes. Shuttles to the Rhinecliff Amtrak station also have been offered.

"Delaware Avenue already is dangerous, and AVR's own traffic study cites 21 reported accidents there in 40 months, between the beginning of 1998 and April 30, 2001. It's hard to imagine anyone could seriously consider using Delaware Avenue as the principal access for a project this large," said Kevin McEvoy, a resident of Ponckhockie and member of FoKW.

"At first there will be the annoyance, delay and outright danger of a 20-percent or greater addition to local traffic. A few years later will come calls for expensive widening of streets and new traffic lights. Guess who's going to pay for these? It won't be the original developers. They'll be gone. Can we tolerate a certain amount of traffic increase? Certainly, but not 18,000 new car trips a day!" said Lowell Thing, Kingston resident and taxpayer.

"As we have said from the beginning, redeveloping this land is a good idea. With some alterations to the proposal, Kingston and the valley could have a world-class waterfront. We are confident that AVR and the city want to ensure that what is built on the waterfront is a benefit and not a burden to the community. Constructing fewer homes and creating a connection to Route 32 would help with traffic impacts. Safe, convenient connections to the city's bus system and restoring a trolley to the Rondout are among the measures that would further help," said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson.

"With the current proposal, North Street and First Avenue are examples of neighborhood streets that would really suffer. Safety is an issue, and its not the right answer for people to be forced indoors by heavy traffic," added Mr. Sullivan.

Ann Loeding, who is a FoKW member and Kingston resident, said, "National traffic guru Donald Appleyard states that residential streets shouldn't have more than 3,000 to 4,000 cars daily. Our analysis of traffic impacts from the proposed AVR project showed individual neighborhood streets handling up to 8,000 car trips per day. According to Mr. Appleyard, that type of volume reduces home values and safety while it also damages the neighborhood experience. As a new mother, I strongly believe that kids should be able to safely play on sidewalks and residential streets. Adults want to walk and socialize in the neighborhood."

Recommendations by FoKW traffic expert
Georges Jacquemart, P.E., AICP, a principal with the respected firm of BFJ Planning, summarized his analysis of AVR Realty's traffic study by stating:

1. The DGEIS is flawed because it glosses over the impacts on surrounding residential streets. The standard calculations and engineering criteria for arterial roads and state highways are not sufficient to measure impacts on residential streets.

2. The traffic volumes that would be added to the residential streets surrounding the project site by far exceed any normal threshold accepted for these types of streets. Substantial negative impacts on property values, safety and quality of life would occur with the developer's proposed plan.

3. A development of this magnitude cannot rely on existing residential streets to provide access to the regional road network.

4. The traffic plan must incorporate a local highway network that can accommodate the new traffic without creating these drastic impacts on local roads.

Calculating traffic impacts
BFJ Planning determined that 16,000 to 18,000 more vehicle trips on neighborhood streets would result from the development proposed by AVR Realty. Using commonly accepted methodology, the firm calculated daily vehicle trips as 10 times the volume of trips during the peak traffic hour of each day.

Mr. Sullivan stated, "The City of Kingston is very important to the whole valley. A former state capital with a riverfront and bridge crossing, it is a gateway city that makes big impressions on residents and visitors to the valley. The city should seize the chance to redevelop its waterfront in a way that enhances the local economy and also contributes to our Hudson River National Heritage Area. No one wants this opportunity slighted by overwhelming traffic or other impacts."

About FoKW
FoKW was formed in spring 2005. The coalition is focused on ensuring resident participation in creating a Kingston waterfront that protects the Hudson River Valley's cherished history, culture, beauty and economic well-being. Its member organizations want to ensure that Kingston does not see its waterfront become a burden when the opportunity exists to create powerful benefits for a diverse population.

FoKW has created an informational Web site about the Kingston waterfront, www.FriendsofKingstonWaterfront.org.

Friends of Kingston Waterfront comprises Friends of Historic Kingston, Friends of Rondout, Hudson River Heritage, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, Sierra Club and Sustainable Hudson Valley. www.FriendsofKingstonWaterfront.org .