Voorheesville officials are looking to enhance its end of the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail and possibly build a museum to honor local railroad history, which has fittingly characterized the community.
The village’s overall vision could take several years to realize, with funding the primary obstacle, but a recently announced federal grant opportunity might fast track development. Regardless of outside funds, the village is looking to create a paved parking lot for about a dozen cars off Pine Street. Additional funds would be applied toward amenities at the site, such as picnic tables.
The most extensive work would be a short distance from the Rail Trail’s current end. Village officials are looking to extend the trail along Grove Street — either along a strip of land or through creating a bike lane on Grove Street — roughly to the location of Voorheesville Self Storage. Then on one patch of land there would be facilities, and the museum would be located across the street, which could be constructed to replicate an old rail station or use an old rail car. The village owns the patches of land.
“We’ve been talking off and on since last year about enhancing the rail trail experience,” Voorheesville Mayor Robert Conway said. “It is an exciting prospect, and it would really enhance the village.”
Conway said the plans were “very preliminary,” and he had not reached out to any local officials or organizations about the proposal.
“I don’t expect it would all be developed overnight,” Conway said. “If we get the basics in place, then it is something we can continue to enhance as time goes on.”
The majority of funds could be secured relatively quickly through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program, which the state Department of Transportation is administering.
There is $50 million available through the program, and up to 80 percent of proposed project costs could be provided. Village officials believe in-kind services could be used towards the local cost. The tentative deadline for applications is June 1.
Village resident Rich Straut, who works for the engineering firm Barton & Loguidice, informed local officials about the grant.
Conway said the Pine Street enhancement would primarily be addressing the existing lack of parking, which has led people to park along or off roads. He said people are already parking in front of the railhead and once the weather warms, there will likely be even more cars.
“On the weekends, it is going to become a bigger problem, and they are going to park all over the place,” said Conway. “I think we can do some very preliminary things that make Pine Street accessible without spending too much and effort.”
Trustee Brett Hotaling is serving as the liaison for the project and will chair a citizen committee on the proposed project. Conway believed the project would have little impact on surrounding residential areas.
The project would also aim to funnel people to nearby village businesses.
“Hopefully people will bike down the Rail Trail and decide to take a rest and get some lunch, buy some baked goods,” Straut said.