Echo Bay Redevelopment Plan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does it mean to have Echo Bay in an Urban Renewal Area?

An Urban Renewal Area is an area officially designated by local government as a result of a planning process that takes into account its impoverished and underutilized tracts of property.

For decades the Echo Bay waterfront had been used for industrial purposes that utilized the waterway for shipping and receiving goods. While the waterway is no longer a means for transporting these goods, the industrial uses still remain. Using this Urban Renewal designation, the City may be able to help these users find more appropriate properties to do business and through pedestrian sensitive development, provide the region with a publicly accessible waterfront.

2. Is the Echo Bay site contaminated?

The City Yard, City Armory and former Mancuso marina have undergone Phase 1 testing by the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the extent of contamination including preliminary estimating of the costs to remediate. The Con Edison site was contaminated and has been under active remediation that is nearly complete, but for the final sign off. Forest City Residential Group and the City have prepared an application to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for acceptance into the Brownfields Cleanup Program (BCP).

3. What will the revitalized Echo Bay look like?

Through its adoption of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and Harbor Management Plan, and the recent planning efforts by JJR, LLC, the City has clarified its vision for the redevelopment of Echo Bay. This vision includes enhanced public access to the water, density in scale with development elsewhere in the City, year-round activity for local residents and visitors, and enhanced views and vista's of Long Island Sound.

4. When will all of this take place?

See schedule, which is updated periodically.

5. When will there be more public meetings?

The City and the developer will hold periodic public meetings to solicit comments and inform the community of progress that is being made in the development process.