By coordinating various small projects around the Rensselaer campus, RPI is implementing its Neighborhood Renewal Initiative. Coordinated by Campus Planning, the Neighborhood Renewal Initiative is focused on improving housing, transportation, and economic development during the upcoming years.
One of the main goals of the initiative is to turn 15th St. into a “Main St.” similar to those at Williamstown and Brown. Ideally, 15th St. will become lined with student-oriented businesses and RPI-based student services. This has already been implemented somewhat as many services have moved to either Academy Hall or small residential houses lining 15th Street. Barbara Nelson, the project manager, is attempting to attract more businesses to the street but “nobody wants to be the first one” to move in. Nelson hopes to attract businesses that cater to college students such as used bookstores, the Daily Grind, and other such commercial enterprises.
The majority of development will take places on the edges of campus where the “pedestrian gateways” are located and a majority of off-campus students enter Rensselaer. Another common entranceway to campus, the corner of 15th St. and Sage Ave. will have a decorative pattern on the crosswalk created sometime within a year or two. In addition, businesses located on the northern end of 15th St. (closest to Hoosick St.) are getting advice from Campus Planning, with the help of RPI students, on how to improve their façade to prevent the prevalent “rundown” appearance.
Although College Avenue already has a parking garage entrance being constructed, there are significant plans for its future as well. RPI bought the building formerly occupied by Screen-It Ltd. and hopes to sell it to a café-like business. By improving the business section of College Ave., it is hoped the neighborhood will become a popular destination for students to both live and visit.
One of the most often heard complaints about the Rensselaer campus is the distinct lack of a commercial district, but as Nelson says, “people don’t realize that a population of 5-7,000 seasonal residents is not enough to drive a market.” In order to develop for a commercial district for a larger market, the city of Troy has given The Saratoga Associates a small grant to develop the Hoosick Street corridor into a more business-friendly district. If the project goes well, it is possible that a larger and more substantial grant could be issued to The Saratoga Associates for a complete overhaul of the area.
