Barbara Nelson, an instructor in the School of Architecture and project manager for Campus Planning and Facilities Design, hosted session two of the Community Design Forum Saturday in the Heffner Alumni House.
The purpose of the forum is to generate ideas for community design of the Hillside and Beman Park Troy neighborhoods.
The ideas proposed during the design forum focused on improving neighborhoods near 15th Street, the Troy Plaza, and Eighth Street, enhancing the quality of housing in Troy, and expanding mixed use areas.
Development ideas suggested for improving parking included converting two-way roads to one-way roads and vice-versa to alter traffic patterns, designing parking standards, modifying the business zoning structure, and developing alleys to create better traffic flow.
Proposed ideas for mixed use areas included an expansion of the Rensselaer Union’s services, including the variety and how many are offered to the public; and housing quality ideas emphasizing improving neighborhood communication by creating a welcome package for new residents, an online network website for the Troy area, and a public access cable network and telecommunications system.
"There are a lot of ideas that are splendid—whether or not they are economically feasible, that’s the question," said Guilbert Soucy, a Troy resident.
"I think they’ve identified things that are very doable ... They’ve got all the ideas that they need," said Marsha Carlson, a former resident of Troy who assisted Nelson.
"This workshop, the whole process has taught students how to prepare for a public forum. This is a great experience—something all architectural and engineering students should try," said Nick Swan, a graduate architecture student.
Many of the Troy residents in attendance expressed satisfaction that the two-session design forum effectively promoted cooperation between RPI and the local community.
"I’m very encouraged. I think this is a very terrific thing for the neighborhoods and great for [Rensselaer]," said Beth Steckley, president of the Hillside Neighborhood Association.
"I’m delighted that RPI is willing to take an interest in the [local] neighborhoods ... RPI is trying to become active in the community, and I’m very pleased with that, " said Gerri Fitzgerald, a Troy resident.
Nelson said that she and Frances Bronet, associate professor of architecture, plan to compile the ideas generated at the forum by next semester into a community planning document.
The document can then be reviewed by the Hillside and Beman Park neighborhood associations, Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson, and local residents.
