Lessen the harm of I-890
--- click, tap or drag to advance --- The Interstate 890 at GE plant in Schenectady will undergo an upgrade to reduce traffic accident caused by confusing loop design. The current layout employs a big loop and a small loop to direct traffic on and off I-890 from GE plant site at South side, Washington Ave at North and Erie Blvd at East. In the recently published DOT scheme, the small loop will be replaced by two simple ramps. Although it is a welcoming improvement, this scheme fails to address a broader flaw in the road system that tears apart city areas. To unite GE campus, SCCC and the downtown core via a conventional surface road network, the big loop also would better be cut and replaced by a roundabout that connects GE campus, Washington Ave and Erie Blvd more directly. Please refer to diagrams above for clarification. There might be better solutions at tactical level. However, the general strategy shall be providing easier connections amount city districts. A sense of unity and continuity plays a crucial role in revitalizing urban environment.

Another year goes by, One Monument Development site is still sitting deserted like a persistent wound to Troy, NY. Yet public opinion is boiling. A new design scheme from the Developer meets hash oppositions despite some hard efforts. The hand colored renderings paint the project in a warm fussy glow that wins some compliments but fails at turning around the negative impression nevertheless. People demand the new building contributing to civic pride in proportionate to its ceremonial location. Accusations fly. Lawsuit threatens. However, the court won't be able to produce a great design solution, as a settlement, for Troy at the significant site. Stake holders in the community raise a legitimate concern. But has the Developer really played the bait-and-switch trick or only picked the safest route to meet their bottom line? As an arms chair designer, I see there are possibilities to change the attitude of the single core scheme favored by the Developer from indifferent to expressive that generates a lively vibe good for both business and every each individual. Clashes of ideas may make better Architecture.

An Alternatie Vision:

The Animation:

The Google Earth Model:
For interested minds, you can also dive into the virtual world by visiting the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6a8690Whz41c19aMGg5QnE3d0E. You'll need Google Earth to view it.

Schenectady was then: (images courtesy to Schenectady County Historical Society)

Schenectady is becoming in 2016:

There is a video presentation on the official website: RIVERS CASINO & RESORT at Mohawk Harbor. The tag line is "Schenectady is ready." All is well said, however, to be ready for a successful run for the long term, the master planning and architectural design needs to be much more inspiring and transcendent than its current condition. Can we make the huge surface parking lot disappear under a public park? Is there any way to install a sense of coherence to the site layout? What is the focus of the whole development, is it the residential quarter surrounding a marina or the boxy casino? Besides slot machines and table games, what else can a family enjoy over there? For people coming by train, how to provide a pleasant experience of trip from the train station to the casino facility? How does the Stockade historical district benefit from as well as complement the new development? An upcoming casino is more like an agent of change than a final solution. Schenectady has to seize the opportunity to advance other aspects that make a great city attractive to both business and people. The desert creates a mirage for Las Vegas. The Niagara Falls lends a natural wonder. What makes Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor standing out and offering lasting allure? That is a question.

DEVELOPER'S VISION --- click, tap or drag to spin 360 degrees --- - One Monument Development in Troy, NY is shown in context as Developer's proposal.
- Ground floor at River St level accommodates commercial units & the lobby to residential units above.
- Lower floor at Front St level accommodates parking garage.
- 2nd floor over River St to 7th floor at top accommodates residential rental units.

ALTERNATIVE VISION --- click, tap or drag to spin 360 degrees --- - A two-tone composition of massing can be more adaptive to the site condition.
- Interplay of conforming and disrupting infuses a fresh interpretation of urban context true to our age.
- Re-connect Front Street to normalize street grids.