Transit’s role in economy eyed
CDTA holds event at Renaissance Hotel
ALBANY, N.Y. » Area leaders talked about transit and the role it plays in economic development recently at a Capital District Transportation Authority event called Connecting the Capital Region to Economic Opportunities.
CDTA, which was recently distinguished as the best midsized transportation system in North America as awarded by the American Public Transportation Association, held this event as part of the organization’s commitment to providing connectivity that makes the Capital Region economy flourish.
“We recognize that we need to partner with the business com-
munity,” said board chairman David Stackrow during the event held Wednesday morning at the
Renaissance Hotel in Albany. “It’s indisputable that transit and economic development drive each other.”
He continued, “As our region continues to grow it is critically important that we work together to foster relationships to improve regional mobility.”
Wednesday’s conversation was a chance to hear from developers, economic experts and other officials about ways the region is connecting economic development opportunities.
Panelists were Galesi Group president and CEO David Buicko, The Rosenblum Companies executive vice president Jeff Mirel, New York State Economic Development Council executive director Ryan Silva, Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, Capital Region Chamber president Mark Eagan, Center for Economic Growth president and CEO Andrew Kennedy and New York State Business Council director of government affairs Johnny Evers.
CDTA CEO Carm Basile moderated the panel discussion, questioning participants on how the transportation system is doing and what can be done to make it better in the future.
Mirel, of the The Rosenblum Companies which is currently developing the former Record newspaper property into a mixed use apartment community, spoke about residents’ desire to live in cities and their urban cores. For these projects and the people that live there, mass transportation is critical, he said.
Silva, of the New York State Economic Development Council, gave some insight on how other regions like Rochester are successful ly pursuing “transit- oriented development” projects, using old buildings like those available in the Capital Region.
Assemblywoman Fahy shared about efforts in legislature to continue transportation growth. She also complimented CDTA on its bikeshare program, which debuted last year. “It says to the region ‘ We’ve arrived.’ Huge kudos on that. It really says something,” she said. “I feel like we’re in the big leagues now that we have this bikeshare.”
Basile then told of CDTA’s plan to offer twice as many stations and twice as many bikes in the program’s upcoming second season.
While programs like this make the region more attractive, Basile asked the panelists what more could be done toward this goal.
Kennedy answered that
initiatives should be made to highlight and connect the region’s best offerings. He said, “It’s connecting
those, highlighting all of the assets and the attributes that make it an exciting place to live.”