WORK UNDERWAY TO UPDATE

COOPERSTOWN’S MASTER PLAN

People To Be Surveyed Saturday At Farmers’ Market, Pioneer Park

COOPERSTOWN – The Saratoga Springs consultant hired to develop a downtown revitalization and economic development strategy will be collecting data this Saturday from residents and visitors at The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market and in Pioneer Park.

Elan Planning, Design & Landscape Architecture by the village and the county Industrial Development Agency to help solicit community input in the development of an updated Comprehensive Master Plan.

In an interview in June, Mayor Jeff Katz and IDA President Sandy Mathes outline nine “nodes” in and around Cooperstown’s downtown that are possibilities for development.  Mathes said the planning process will also develop the market data he needs to identify what kinds of projects will work and to attract investors to help develop them.

“We are excited to be collaborating with the community on this project, which will provide a vision for the development of new and diverse opportunities to expand business activity year-round,” says IDA Chair Robert Hanft.

“We are delighted to be working with the IDA and the Village of Cooperstown to prepare a vision for the future of the downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods” said Lisa Nagle, Principal with Elan.

The village has already set up an an Advisory Committee tasked with providing oversight, guidance, and input throughout the process, which met for the first time Aug. 11.  Members are Katz,  Trustees Ellen Tillapaugh and  Cindy Falk, Village; Matt Hazzard, Cooperstown Chamber; Chris Grady, Stagecoach Coffee; Ted Spencer, formerly of the Baseball Hall of Fame; and Elizabeth Horvath of the IDA.

“Together with the Advisory Committee, stakeholders, village residents and tourists, we will prepare a plan that reflects the needs, wants, and desires of the entire community,” Elan’s Nagle said in a press release the IDA issued Tuesday. Elan’s work in the initial phase will continue through the fall with more opportunities for local community input as the project progresses.

Project organizers had applied for NYS CFA funding to support the project but, while waiting for possible State grants, the IDA Board voted last month to provide initial funding to get started.  The Village of Cooperstown also voted to provide a portion of the initial funding to get started. Overall, the project is expected to take approximately one year to complete.