NYPA Press Release

Reservoir State Park Boasts New Look with Revamped Ball Fields and Other Improvements from $6 Million Upgrade

N.Y. Power Authority and State Parks Highlight Completion of Multiyear Initiative at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Contact:
Michael Saltzman
(914) 390-8181
michael.saltzman@nypa.gov

Angela Berti, OPRHP
716-704-6270



October 23, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEWISTON—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) on Tuesday marked the completion of a $6 million upgrade at Reservoir State Park in the Town of Lewiston and Town of Niagara at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.  The improvements include renewed ball fields, basketball and tennis courts and other recreational and landscaping measures for enhancing the 133-acre park.

The refurbishing of the park stemmed from Power Authority commitments under an agreement with OPRHP preceding the relicensing of the Niagara Power Project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2007. The park, which is owned by NYPA and operated and maintained by OPRHP with financial support from the Power Authority, is within the boundary of the 2,441-megawatt hydroelectric plant, along the south side of the facility’s Lewiston Reservoir. 
Although stemming from commitments that NYPA made in support of the relicensing of the Niagara project, the measures at Reservoir State Park are consistent with the importance given by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to park improvements in Western New York and throughout the state to enhance New York’s scenic beauty and promote recreational opportunities and tourism. This includes the Governor’s New York Works initiative for strategic investments in infrastructure and rehabilitation of parks. 
“The measures that we took at Reservoir State Park are sure to heighten the enjoyment by visitors of the varied attractions, whether it’s playing team sports, hiking or picnicking on the beautiful grounds,” John R. Koelmel, NYPA chairman and a resident of East Amherst, said. “This is a sparkling example of the recreational benefits emerging from the relicensing several years ago of the Niagara hydroelectric plant.  It also speaks of the collaborative relationship of NYPA and State Parks on behalf of Western New York.”  
“The Reservoir State Park upgrade underscores the Power Authority’s commitment to Western New York beyond the low-cost hydropower from our Niagara Power Project that underpins tens of thousands of industrial jobs,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and chief executive officer.   Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, the Power Authority will continue to work closely with State Parks and the others who partnered with us in the Niagara project’s relicensing to bolster the region’s recreational and environmental resources and improve the quality of life for the area communities.”
“We are incredibly grateful to NYPA for their contribution in restoring this very popular and extremely busy park. The upgrades provided through its efforts have certainly made this park far more accessible and attractive and we are certain it will be well used year-round,” OPRHP Commissioner Rose Harvey
Some of the improved Reservoir park features include:
--Redeveloped ball diamonds, with “Mar-Co Clay,” a specially developed material that provides a safer surface and better drainage for the infields
--New infield lighting installations that now make night games possible
--Regraded and seeded soccer fields
--New basketball, street hockey and tennis courts
--A new lighted ice-skating rink
--New, safer equipment for the playground, which is now accessible to special-needs children
--A new winter pavilion, or warming building, for observation at the sledding hill and other winter activities at the Reservoir Dike area, with the building open year-round
--Enhancements to the park’s Workers Memorial
--A walking path in the southern area of the park that is accessible to people with disabilities
--An improved model airplane landing field and access path
--A repaved path to the top of the Lewiston Reservoir dike
--New kiosks and signage
--And new shrubs, trees and meadow plantings to beautify the park and improve the overall visitor experience
The Power Authority utilized the services of a number of Western New York firms for the extensive work at Reservoir State Park.  They included Wendel Duchsherer Architects of Buffalo, which provided engineering and landscape architecture services, Gomez and Sullivan Engineers of Williamsville, which provided overall management and coordination of design development and implementation, and Mark Cerrone, Inc., of Niagara Falls, which provided the general contracting services for the overall initiative.
Under the Niagara project’s relicensing agreement with OPRHP, NYPA pledged to undertake approximately $9.3 million in improvements to recreational facilities operated by State Parks within the project boundary. In addition to Reservoir State Park, they include Artpark State Park and Niagara Gorge area.
Agreements with other parties stemming from the relicensing included funding of $9 million a year for the Niagara River Greenway; the creation of a $12 million fund for construction of eight Habitat Improvement Projects at designated areas outside the Niagara project’s boundaries to protect fish and wildlife within the Niagara River basin; and capital improvements to enhance public access to the Niagara River in the area of the power project.  
In addition to recreational and environmental improvements, NYPA is providing hundreds of millions of dollars of further benefits for Western New York over the Niagara project’s 50-year relicensing. The benefits include annual funding to the seven municipal members of the Niagara Power Coalition known as the Host Communities, and to other area relicensing partners under separate agreements; and allocation of low-cost hydropower to the Host Communities and other settlement partners for substantial savings on electric bills.
STATEMENTS BY OTHERS
Senator George Maziarz said, “Several generations of Niagara County residents have enjoyed the use of Reservoir State Park for outdoor fun.  After more than 50 years of use, it was time to reinvest in the park’s ball diamonds, courts and other amenities.  I am pleased to see the needed repairs and additional improvements like the warming house by the sledding hill, which will increase the use of this regional asset.  It’s a very visible benefit of NYPA resources improving the local quality of life in addition to the jobs created by low-cost power.”
Sam Hoyt, senior vice president for Regional Economic Development for the Empire State Development Corporation, said, “I’m pleased to see this New York State park restored so that visitors can enjoy it for sports and recreation purposes, as well as a tourism destination. The NYPA resources invested in Reservoir State Park and other community parks clearly improve our quality of life, which is vital to fostering economic development and job creation. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York will continue to create and rebuild crucial state assets, such as state parks and other infrastructure.”
William L. Ross, Chairman, Niagara County Legislature, said, “Niagara County is well served by a system of parks and recreational facilities operated at the state county and municipal level.  Reservoir Park is a jewel for sports enthusiasts and that jewel looks even better now that this refurbishment is complete.”
Father Joseph Levesque, president, Niagara University, said, “Niagara University students and staff will be well served by the newly refurbished assets of this park located just a short walk from campus.  It presents new and exciting possibilities to link the park to the campus through walking and biking trails promoting fitness and reflection.
Supervisor Steve Reiter, Town of Lewiston, said, “The newly renovated Reservoir State park provides a wonderful complement to the town’s own recreational facilities giving Lewiston residents a myriad of outstanding choices for parks and recreation.  With other improvements targeted by Niagara River Greenway funds, Lewiston residents can benefit from the resources of the Niagara Power Project, State Parks and the town for improved quality of life.
Supervisor Steven Richards, Town of Niagara, said, “The Town of Niagara is often called the ‘retail hub of Niagara County,’ but just down the road from the mall at the opposite end of town sits another important feature.  Reservoir State Park and our nearby Town Park funded with Niagara Project relicensing money form a recreation hub of which any community would be envious.” 
Don Joyce, Softball League president, said, “The improvements to Reservoir State Park and, in particular, the softball fields and restroom facilities, have returned this park into the premiere place to run softball leagues and tournaments.  The lighted diamond extends the time frame to get more games played and provides a big league feel to small town fun.”
Roger Carroll, Niagara PAL Soccer Program, said, “Soccer is a game for all kids and the Niagara PAL program provides an opportunity for players of all ages and skill levels to enjoy it.  Reservoir Park provides an excellent home for our program, and the newly refurbished fields provide safer and better equipped facilities, which are crucial to the success of the program.” 
Richard Anderson, President of Wing and Rotor RC Flying Club, said, “There are two clubs that have been flying out of Reservoir Park. The Niagara Sunday Flyers obtained the first permit to fly at Reservoir State Park back in 1968. Since then, Wing and Rotor joined them and the two clubs have enjoyed over 40 years of flying here. However with these park improvements it is the first time we have had an area committed solely to RC Flying, which has allowed us to install benches as well as next year putting in a shade shelter. The new path has also made access better for many of our older members who have had problems getting their planes out to the old field.”

 

About NYPA
NYPA is the nation's largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. Follow @NYPAenergy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

 

 

ALBANY—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) today announced the start of construction on a $648,000 energy efficiency project at the W. Averell Harriman State Office Building Campus and the completion of a $1.3 million energy efficiency upgrade at the Sheridan Avenue steam plant, which serves the Empire State Plaza. The two Albany projects will save taxpayers an estimated $220,000 in annual energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 781 tons a year.

 

These projects support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s ambitious “Build Smart NY” initiative to increase energy efficiency in state buildings by 20 percent over the next seven years by strategically accelerating priority improvements in energy performance. The initiative will save taxpayers millions of dollars and create thousands of jobs.

 

“The Build Smart NY program recognizes the value of energy-saving technologies for managing taxpayer dollars, spurring job development and lessening climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions,” Governor Cuomo said.  “Investment in energy efficiency is part of a proactive approach for meeting future electricity needs and taking steps to improve fiscal, economic and environmental conditions. All of this will be furthered by our Build Smart NY initiative and its priority of getting the most value from energy efficiency investments through dollars well-spent.”

 

 

Harriman State Office Building Campus, located on 330 acres in western Albany, will have new energy efficiency upgrades installed at the state government office buildings. The upgrades will include new fluorescent high-bay lighting and premium efficiency motors for pumps and fans. Upon completion by year’s end, these improvements will lower electricity usage at the Harriman office buildings by nearly 422,000 kilowatt-hours per year.  

 

 

The Empire State Plaza, located on 98 acres in downtown Albany, houses cultural spaces, restaurants, and administrative offices. The Power Authority’s installation of a micro-steam turbine, completed in January, will reduce the electricity requirements of the Sheridan Avenue plant. The turbine was manufactured by Dresser-Rand in Wellsville, Allegany County.

 

 

“The Power Authority continues to make significant progress fulfilling the goals of Governor Cuomo’s Build Smart NY plan,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and chief executive officer.  “The Harriman State Office Building Campus and Empire State Plaza projects are just two of the many projects that NYPA will undertake in 2013 to decrease demand on the state’s power grid and greenhouse gas emissions.”

 

“Governor Cuomo has raised the bar for improving the energy efficiency of the thousands of New York State government facilities, with the goal of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent by the year 2020,” said RoAnn M. Destito, OGS commissioner. “OGS and the Power Authority—two key state entities for underpinning the state’s energy efficiency—are making great strides toward achieving this goal.  The newly started energy-saving initiative at the Harriman Building campus and the recently completed upgrade at the Sheridan Avenue plant are  the most recent examples and forerunners of numerous other similar projects to come under the Governor’s Build Smart NY plan.”

 

NYPA and OGS have partnered on $89 million in energy efficiency projects at 63 facilities, saving taxpayers more than $7.9 million and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 57,875 tons annually. The Power Authority and OGS are currently reviewing 15 projects for consideration in 2013 and beyond, in support of Build Smart NY, with five projects currently underway.

 

Build Smart NY will prioritize the use of state building energy data to prioritize projects that will deliver the greatest energy savings per dollar spent.  The largest and most inefficient buildings will be addressed first and undergo comprehensive whole-building improvements.  The program will also ensure that cost-effective improvements for energy savings are considered in all the state’s capital project planning.

 

 

In addition to its energy savings goals, Build Smart NY supports Governor Cuomo’s larger NY Works program and economic development agenda, which coordinate state funding to accelerate projects that will create jobs and improve the state’s infrastructure. NY Works is designed to expedite select projects with maximum economic impact, allowing them to begin as soon as possible and reduce project costs by hundreds of millions of dollars.

 

A Build Smart NY web platform was launched that posts progress reports, case studies, energy savings, project costs, and other information to the public, providing greater accountability and transparency on government spending and performance. For more information on this initiative, visitwww.buildsmart.ny.gov.

 

Over the next four years, the Power Authority will finance an additional $800 million in support of Build Smart goals and similar improvements at county and local government buildings across the state.

 

NYPA recovers its costs by sharing in the resulting electric bill savings with the public facilities.  Once fully recovered over several years’ time, the beneficiary keeps all of the savings, freeing up money for their essential services.

ALBANY—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) today announced the start of construction on a $648,000 energy efficiency project at the W. Averell Harriman State Office Building Campus and the completion of a $1.3 million energy efficiency upgrade at the Sheridan Avenue steam plant, which serves the Empire State Plaza. The two Albany projects will save taxpayers an estimated $220,000 in annual energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 781 tons a year.

 

These projects support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s ambitious “Build Smart NY” initiative to increase energy efficiency in state buildings by 20 percent over the next seven years by strategically accelerating priority improvements in energy performance. The initiative will save taxpayers millions of dollars and create thousands of jobs.

 

“The Build Smart NY program recognizes the value of energy-saving technologies for managing taxpayer dollars, spurring job development and lessening climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions,” Governor Cuomo said.  “Investment in energy efficiency is part of a proactive approach for meeting future electricity needs and taking steps to improve fiscal, economic and environmental conditions. All of this will be furthered by our Build Smart NY initiative and its priority of getting the most value from energy efficiency investments through dollars well-spent.”

 

 

Harriman State Office Building Campus, located on 330 acres in western Albany, will have new energy efficiency upgrades installed at the state government office buildings. The upgrades will include new fluorescent high-bay lighting and premium efficiency motors for pumps and fans. Upon completion by year’s end, these improvements will lower electricity usage at the Harriman office buildings by nearly 422,000 kilowatt-hours per year.  

 

 

The Empire State Plaza, located on 98 acres in downtown Albany, houses cultural spaces, restaurants, and administrative offices. The Power Authority’s installation of a micro-steam turbine, completed in January, will reduce the electricity requirements of the Sheridan Avenue plant. The turbine was manufactured by Dresser-Rand in Wellsville, Allegany County.

 

 

“The Power Authority continues to make significant progress fulfilling the goals of Governor Cuomo’s Build Smart NY plan,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and chief executive officer.  “The Harriman State Office Building Campus and Empire State Plaza projects are just two of the many projects that NYPA will undertake in 2013 to decrease demand on the state’s power grid and greenhouse gas emissions.”

 

“Governor Cuomo has raised the bar for improving the energy efficiency of the thousands of New York State government facilities, with the goal of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent by the year 2020,” said RoAnn M. Destito, OGS commissioner. “OGS and the Power Authority—two key state entities for underpinning the state’s energy efficiency—are making great strides toward achieving this goal.  The newly started energy-saving initiative at the Harriman Building campus and the recently completed upgrade at the Sheridan Avenue plant are  the most recent examples and forerunners of numerous other similar projects to come under the Governor’s Build Smart NY plan.”

 

NYPA and OGS have partnered on $89 million in energy efficiency projects at 63 facilities, saving taxpayers more than $7.9 million and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 57,875 tons annually. The Power Authority and OGS are currently reviewing 15 projects for consideration in 2013 and beyond, in support of Build Smart NY, with five projects currently underway.

 

Build Smart NY will prioritize the use of state building energy data to prioritize projects that will deliver the greatest energy savings per dollar spent.  The largest and most inefficient buildings will be addressed first and undergo comprehensive whole-building improvements.  The program will also ensure that cost-effective improvements for energy savings are considered in all the state’s capital project planning.

 

 

In addition to its energy savings goals, Build Smart NY supports Governor Cuomo’s larger NY Works program and economic development agenda, which coordinate state funding to accelerate projects that will create jobs and improve the state’s infrastructure. NY Works is designed to expedite select projects with maximum economic impact, allowing them to begin as soon as possible and reduce project costs by hundreds of millions of dollars.

 

A Build Smart NY web platform was launched that posts progress reports, case studies, energy savings, project costs, and other information to the public, providing greater accountability and transparency on government spending and performance. For more information on this initiative, visitwww.buildsmart.ny.gov.

 

Over the next four years, the Power Authority will finance an additional $800 million in support of Build Smart goals and similar improvements at county and local government buildings across the state.

 

NYPA recovers its costs by sharing in the resulting electric bill savings with the public facilities.  Once fully recovered over several years’ time, the beneficiary keeps all of the savings, freeing up money for their essential services.