Canandaigua Main Street
New York State Electric and Gas Corporation had recently replaced its main gas lines in the center of the City of Canandaigua and, as part of that project, had agreed to help fund the landscaping and replacement of trees and plantings it had removed during the process. Based on earlier work it had completed for the City, BME was asked to lend its landscape architectural and engineering expertise to the project, which included a three-block section of Main Street through the Central Business District. Through collaboration with the City of Canandaigua officials and team of consultants, BME recognized this as an even greater opportunity for the City to make aesthetic and pedestrian improvements, as well as to improve the quality of the stormwater runoff within the Main Street corridor. It was felt that this would position the project very well to receive grant funding from New York State and other potential sources.
After initial feasibility and planning with a series of meetings with the City, consensus was reached on the path forward, and BME went to work.
We First Helped the City Secure a $385,000 ‘Green Infrastructure’ Grant
Andrew Spencer, R.L.A.,
Senior Landscape Architect
Our first step was to provide conceptual design support to the City for its application to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for a green infrastructure grant. Canandaigua was successful, and received $385,000 for the project.
We then developed several options that included a series of bio-filtration areas that collect storm water runoff from the sidewalk and roadway corridor. The storm water is then treated through both soil media and plant materials before being released into the storm sewer system, and ultimately to the Canandaigua Lake Outlet.
For nearly a year, we coordinated the involvement of the NYSDEC, NYSDOT, the City of Canandaigua DPW, RG&E, and Main Street business owners. In the end, it is our understanding that this project marked the first time that a green infrastructure project of this nature was approved and completed within a NYSDOT right of way.
The final Main Street project includes some 26 landscaped bio-retention areas, 50 replanted trees, and hundreds of shrubs and landscaping perennials. Recycled brick pavers from Jamestown, NY, were used to accentuate the design of the pedestrian space, and other infrastructure improvements included landscape irrigation, and both street and special effect lighting.
Throughout the five month construction phase, BME’s construction services team worked very closely with the contractor to communicate project progress, as well as to provide immediate problem-solving and trouble-shooting for frequent unforeseen circumstances that often occurred on a daily basis.
