The Athletic Village’s Draft of the Environmental Impact Statement was submitted to the Planning Board in mid-December, and was presented to the community to hear feedback on the potential problems that are inherent in such construction.

First, RPI presented its plans for construction of the ECAV and also some of the problems that it has already addressed. Phase One of construction involves a total projected cost of around $70.8 million. The first phase consists of 10 building components, including an artificial turf field, stadium, arena, bleachers, parking, and a shuttle loop. The upgrade of the Houston Field House falls under Phase 1A. Phase Two will consist of building a natatorium, indoor track, eight tennis courts, and making various landscaping and parking improvements. The final size of the complex will be about forty acres.

RPI representatives brought up concerns of adverse effects on the environment around ECAV, among which were traffic and parking, noise, and lighting. In regard to traffic and parking, it was determined that the traffic would not change the level of service at the intersections, and the amount of parking required for Phase One (1,100 spaces) is currently met in the surrounding area. For Phase Two, however, an additional 800 or so parking spaces would need to be built. For larger events, Public Safety and message signs will be used to direct traffic, and there will also be a Special Events Planning Group to help organize for such times. A bus shuttle system is also planned to link the parking facilities to the ECAV, and it was suggested that the new facilities could coordinate with non-RPI owned lots such as Troy High School and Middle School as well as use temporary lawn parking. Noise also was predicted to only increase by 3 to 15 decibels for major events and around 25 to 34 decibels for events such as a large concert. Lighting is also not predicted to exceed that of the lighting on the Harkness Field.

After Rensselaer’s presentation on the ECAV construction and Environmental Impact Statement, members of the community were allowed to speak and share their opinions with the Planning Board. The topics that bothered most people about the construction of such a large complex were the large influx of traffic and the resulting effects on safety of the residents in the surrounding area. Many are worried about what will happen when the residential areas located on Detroit and Michigan Avenues become louder and more frequented by students. One resident from Beman Park said that the area is “already saturated for parking and it was hard enough to find spaces to park before. We’ve learned to deal with it though.” The traffic influx, she said, would make it near impossible to find a spot. Another community member asked whether the noise level increase was based on the current amount of students, or a number taking into consideration the large increase in applications received for the upcoming fall semester. A question was also raised about whether the city would pay for the planning groups required to control the events.

Another large area of concern among the community members was the lighting that would be present in the village. Community members complained about the lights that are currently on Harkness Field and worry that the complex will mean an even greater amount of light while some are trying to sleep. Many also suggested that the lights be turned off at 11 pm at the latest, and that there be public access to a phone number that can turn off the lights as some complained that security doesn’t usually answer calls made regarding the lights. Because ECAV will be located behind Samaritan and various nursing homes, many feel the lighting will be excessive especially since the elderly in particular won’t necessarily share the same sleeping hours as college students.

Several members of the community are also worried that both the value of the properties and quality of life will depreciate in the neighborhood because the Athletic Village is just too large for the neighborhood, and wish to reduce the size and scope of the project. Still others wish to have the facility open to community members if it will be encroaching on their neighborhood.

Although some feel there are just small problems inherent in the construction, others feel that it is a disaster for the community. One of the community members that spoke said that The Rensselaer Plan is a “runaway freight train,” and that the Institute’s expansion needs to be watched very closely.

Once the public was done voicing its concerns for the ECAV, the City of Troy Planning Board had a chance to discuss its concerns. One board member wanted to know how RPI can assure that the strategies used to control traffic will be followed. Vice Chairman George Reischuck said during the meeting, “The expansion of athletics is important to the success of the university system;” however, he also felt that the frailty of the neighborhoods meant that there should be a compromise reached between the Institute and the community. Another board member said that they would like to “work as a team to create a proper and wholesome view of the school and community.”

Members of the community have until March 30 to make comments and submit them in writing to the Planning Board. The Institute will have 45 days to review and prepare a response and Final Environmental Impact Statement.