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Planning board member presents holistic downtown vision emphasizing Croton Aqueduct, waterfront links and pedestrian improvements
Summary
Rob Lane presented a long, illustrated downtown vision calling for a continuous Croton Aqueduct experience, Cedar Street streetscape work tied to New York Forward projects, waterfront access improvements and potential public uses for the VFW/145 Palisade site; the board endorsed further discussion and suggested a joint workshop with trustees.
Planning board member Rob (Sam) Lane presented an illustrated 'holistic downtown' vision that maps a sequence of projects from the gateway at Livingston/Broadway to the waterfront. Lane emphasized preserving and highlighting the Croton Aqueduct as a unifying 'central park' spine through downtown, recommended coordinated streetscaping on Cedar Street (linked to New York Forward funding opportunities), and proposed rethinking several waterfront parcels and public spaces — including a renewed approach to 145 Palisade and the VFW site near the train station.
Lane framed the work as a conversation starter, not a formal plan, and urged the board to provide individual comments and, if possible, a joint workshop with the Board of Trustees. "This is meant to be the beginning of a discussion that I hope is going to continue with the Board of Trustees and with the public as the comprehensive plan effort goes forward," Lane said.
Board members discussed logistics for follow‑up, including individual feedback to Lane and the possibility of a public joint workshop. The conversation covered linking streetscape improvements to the aqueduct crossings, possibilities for community gardens, reopening or improving pedestrian ramps and ramps to the riverfront, and trade‑offs associated with parking and emergency access at waterfront edges.
Actionable next steps included collecting member comments, considering a joint workshop with trustees, and investigating potential New York Forward and other grant opportunities for smaller scope projects such as Cedar Street streetscaping and Memorial Park improvements.
