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Public commenter urges Schenectady to build transit access, not parking, for Central Park
Summary
At the Aug. 11 Schenectady City Council meeting, a resident urged the city to prioritize public transit and shuttle service to improve access to Central Park amenities rather than expanding parking.
Schenectady — A city resident urged the Schenectady City Council on Aug. 11 to prioritize public transit connections and event shuttles to improve access to Central Park rather than expanding parking.
In public comment, Sean Ratigan, identified in the record as a resident, said, “I’d like the city to consider just how isolated Central Park is from those traveling by bus, particularly individuals who may be mobility impaired.” He asked the council to consider bus service that would connect Union Street and State Street via Fair Ave. and suggested a loop that would also connect Mount Pleasant via Brandywine.
Why it matters: Central Park hosts events, a pool and tennis courts; expanded usage raises access questions, especially for residents without private vehicles and people with limited mobility. Ratigan told the council he opposed adding parking and instead favored integrating transit directly into the park’s design or using shuttle service for high-volume events.
Ratigan said the city’s current bus network follows a “hub-and-spoke” model and that main lines do not provide frequent or convenient cross-connections to the park. He also noted limited access to groceries and drugstores in some areas as part of a broader transit-access concern.
Mayor McCarthy, responding during public comment, acknowledged “there’s a lot of parking already available, and it’s really just a short walk,” a point Ratigan said he appreciated but which did not address mobility and transit concerns.
No formal action was taken during the meeting on transit or Central Park design. The remark appeared as part of the public-comment portion of the council meeting; the council did not vote or direct staff to produce a study during the session.
Council members did not debate or vote on Ratigan’s proposals during the meeting. The public-comment record and the council’s acknowledgment leave the issue at the request-and-waiting stage for potential committee review or future agenda placement.
