Riverwalk Alternate Route

 

 The Magenta Lines are the original Riverwalk by the VB.  The white lines are the alternate routes proposed by Hammonite

I was going to just link to the comment but I figured most of you would not bother to Click The Link.  So I am going to post the entire comment from Hammonite and the email that was sent to me:

         JC- Thanks for mapping this out so we can see the scope of the project. I tend to agree that the riverwalk route loses it's allure in the area between the public beach and the small municipal lot . I think they need to re think that area.

        While I understand that there are variables involved in planning the route, I would implore the village to consider a path which is not only esthetically pleasing , but a route which helps foster the economic development of the area.  In the " big city " the urban planners refer to these as " connnective corridors"
        In my opinion , why does the walk have to go in a circle ? I think people can turn around on thier own. The walk should hug the shoreline as much as possible streamlining access to the center of town from the farthest reaches. (For example Bonnie Castle, Riveredge, past Thomsons etc. ) In addition , off of the riverwalk would be "fingers" which can funnel tourists and locals to various areas of the village. JC this is where you plan to improve the sidewalks could be implemented.
        I agree that along with the Riverwalk project a plan needs to be implemented to deal with dillapidated buildings ,crumbling sidewalks,and the like. While they are at it, the village needs to look hard at improving the availabilty of parking in the village as well . I grew up in Baldwinsville, NY which went through a " remodling phase" In fact many of the business owners in the village secured grants ( with the help of the village) to improve thier storefronts.....
        Without the support of the community as well as securing the appropriate planning and resources, the project will not be successful. Its a big ambition that indeed may take years to complete.

This is the email:

Hi Jim - All politics aside, I am greatly interested in this project. After looking at your map of the riverwalk I decided to play with Google Earth myself and " propose" another route for the Riverwalk. It took me about an hour . While it may not be perfect, I think it addresses a few key issues.

1) Keeping the esthetic focus on the River , and away from most eyesores in the short term.

2) Using the route to draw business to downtown merchants. .

3) Persuant to # 2, Incorporating hi capacity lodgings , The Riveredge, Bonnie Castle, PTP and Thomsons etc. into the route.

4) Incorporating the best use of " hard land" so that sidewalk improvement can be realized.

5) Incorporating the Town Dock , and the Epicenter of the Town .


JC says thanks to Hammonite