Friend –

This past week, the Governor announced the $98.7 million in competitive grants for bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path and transportation-related programs as well as projects that reduce congestion and help to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

Applications for funding may be developed by any municipality or non-profit incorporated group, but projects must be sponsored either by a municipality, a state agency or public authority eligible to administer federal transportation funds. Eligible project activities include the addition of accessible sidewalks; construction of new bicycle and pedestrian facilities, preservation and conversion of abandoned railroad corridors for trail use; enhancements to traffic signals or intersections that improve traffic flow; and travel demand programs that shift traffic demand to non-peak hours or other transportation modes.

Read more about the announcement here.

Madison Avenue Road Diet: As you may have noticed coming or going into Albany this week, Madison Avenue between South Allen Street and Partridge Street has been “calmed” as part of the Madison Avenue Road Diet project. This project reduces the number of lanes from four to three (including a turning lane), while adding bicycle lanes, making the area more walkable and safe for all users as well as a boon to area businesses. I was also pleased to announce that I have secured $110,000 in state funding for Phase 2 that will extend the project to North Lake Avenue.

I'm pleased to have partnered with the City to see the Madison Avenue Road Diet traffic calming plan go from an idea initiated by Pine Hills residents and businesses, to a wonderful reality today. I hope to see this replicated throughout the Capital Region and will continue work with local leaders to help provide the capital funding to accomplish this.

Summer 2016 newsletter: My office has published our Summer 2016 Legislative and Community Report, outlining updates that have taken place at the Capitol and throughout the 109th District over the past few months. Read and download the report here.

Reminder: Joint Legislative Hearing on Water Quality. The Assembly and Senate will convene a joint hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 7 to discuss water quality among New York’s communities. Read more via the Albany Times Union.

Sheridan Hollow redevelopment: I joined community and business leaders to launch the Sheridan Hollow neighborhood redevelopment project. This transformative project is a mixed-use, mixed income sustainable neighborhood revitalization endeavor with 57 quality affordable rental housing apartments through Housing Visions and 14 owner occupied homes through Habitat for Humanity and the Touhey Home Ownership Foundation.

Sheridan Hollow’s redevelopment should be seen as a shining example of how, through public and private partnerships, a neighborhood can be reborn.

Promoting on-premises consumption of NYS-made beer, wine, and spirits at farm cideries on ‘Capital Tonight’. This session, I sponsored legislation, alongside Senator George Amedore, that would allow for farm cideries to serve New York-made beer, wine, and spirits at their respective tasting rooms.

Nine Pin Cider co-founder Alejandro del Peral and I appeared on Capital Tonight regarding the legislation. The bill anxiously awaits Governor Cuomo's signature.

Job Opportunities: New York State has setup a new job portal entitled Jobs Express, where thousands of private and public sector jobs are listed. Visit jobs.ny.gov for more information on how to apply for these opportunities.

As always, for the latest news or for upcoming events, please visit my office online, on Facebook, on Twitter, or my Times Union blog. If you would like to reach my office, please feel free to send us a note.

Sincerely ---

Pat