Consultants for the town of Malta estimate that a final green space, historic preservation and economic development plan for downtown will be ready for town board approval in September.
By the time the plan reaches the board, the consultants — River Street Planning, Synthesis Architects, and Transportation Concepts will have developed land use plans, streetscapes, and established some community focal points.
This will provide a sense of community, a sense of downtown, and green gathering areas,` said Heather Mallozzi, the town’s building, planning and development director. `Really it is a master plan for the downtown.`
About 35 people showed up for a community workshop held Wednesday, June 13, to review findings from a downtown walking tour the week before. Tour participants walked through parts of downtown and noted the various land uses, as well as identified the things they liked or disliked about the existing layout.
`This is your plan,` said Mallozzi to those at the workshop. `You are here to help mold the vision.`
Also at the workshop were town board members, several members of the planning board, members of the economic development committee and the steering committee for the new plan. A few interested residents were also present.
Councilman Cliff Lange asked how more members of the public might be included in the decision making process.
Margaret Irwin, a consultant with River Street Planning, said there will be more community sessions, but she also asked that residents contact the Malta planning department with comments and suggestions. Irwin said she would be working with the town to have project information posted on the town Web site.
Mallozzi noted that the complete project information would be available for review in the planning department.
At the workshop, the group was divided into six smaller units and asked to answer several questions regarding the positives of the downtown area and places that could use improvement. The groups were also asked to describe their vision for Malta’s downtown in five, 10 and 20 years.
Among the positives listed were the number of local businesses, the architecture, the central shopping location of the area, and the existing historic district.
Several groups discussed the possibility of moving the gazebo currently located on the corner of Route 67 and Route 9 to another location within the downtown. Other suggestions included changing or improving the function of the gazebo. Historian Teri Ulrich noted that a series of plaques have already been proposed for the inside the gazebo, which would detail Malta’s rich history. Other suggestions include developing linkage roads to avoid additional curb cuts and allow for alternatives to traveling on Route 9.
Irwin and Ian Law, project manager for Synthesis, suggested moving the town building garage. Those gathered at the workshop seemed to like the idea and took it a step further. In addition to removing the garage, Councilwomen Donna Gizzi and Sue Nolen suggested creating a single municipal building on that site or the existing town hall site. Nolen said the multiple-story building would be built in accordance with the downtown standards and guidelines and be large enough to house all town offices. Currently, the court offices, as well as the historian’s office, are located in a separate building.
Other suggestions included creating a green space that would serve as a gathering place for residents. Suggestions included building an outdoor amphitheater and a space to create an ice rink in the winter months. Still others said a school should be located somewhere in the downtown area as well.
`The town board has to buy property,` said Charles Siciliano. `The town board should be purchasing property to plan for future use.`
Residents at the workshop were very clear about the type of businesses they felt are needed in downtown Malta. Although expressed a desire for some upscale bars, a sports bar, and restaurants, they also wanted the area to be a place that attracts families.
Family restaurants, pocket parks, and a movie theater were offered as ideas that could meet that need.
Nolen and others indicated that their idea of a movie theater is not a mammoth place with a dozen selections, but instead something more along the lines of The Spectrum in Albany.
As for projections of downtown Malta’s future, most participants said they envisioned children able to ride bikes along the sidewalks, adults sitting at outdoor cafEs or enjoying a local art gallery, and the historic charm of the area enhanced.
The groups also tackled the issue of preserving the historic Parade Ground and making it a viable and important place.
`People don’t realize the significance of the parade ground,` said resident Donald Harris. `It has national and international significance. I think the history of the Parade Ground is lost.`
Irwin said a preliminary market analysis will be completed next month followed by a draft plan in August. A second community workshop will be held in September, after which the board will be presented with a final plan.
`The more the merrier,` said Irwin about community involvement in this process. `The smarter you can make us about where you want to go, the better job we’ll do.`
Funding for the plan will be provided in the form of a grant from the state Quality Communities Program. The $50,000 grant requires a partial town match of $12,000 for a total project cost of $62,000.“