Oh Cuomo, you and your phases and plans.
At this rate we should start a drinking game each time the governor announces or brings attention to a new project he wants to do. We’d be hammered before next month.
Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile path– for anything but driving– that will stretch from Manhattan to northern New York, across to Albany and Buffalo.
As reported by Curbed NY, the announcement came during the second stop on Cuomo’s week-long State of the State tour.
The Empire State Trail is envisioned as a way to continue stoking tourism throughout the state, which is already high to begin with.
“It would change the economic activity throughout the state,” Cuomo said.
It will also complete and connect the unfinished Erie Canalway, which extends from Albany to Buffalo, and the Hudson River Greenway, that runs 11 miles along Manhattan’s West Side and into the Hudson River Valley, while also branching towards the Canadian border.
You know, if you want to walk to Canada out of the blue. Any chance this is gonna be completed before January 20th? ...No particular reason.
[anad]
Cuomo’s vision means that the state has to build, pave, and grade 350 miles of multi-use trails that would be constructed over three phases.
Ah yes. Phases. If it wasn’t for the economic prospects we’d swear he sounds like a melodramatic Bond villain.
The first phase would include 72 miles of trail, the second, 82 miles, and 196 miles in the third phase. The additional mileage is already built throughout the Hudson River Greenway and Erie Canalway.
The trail in its entirety is expected to be complete by 2020. Hopefully. Again, Cuomo with his budgets.
However, the state already owns most of the land the trail would wind past, and $53 million has been committed from this budget to see it realized.
Along with the trail being finalized, a new website and app is also going to be designed. Both will connect users to local economies by helping them scout out attractions and services.
If a walk to Canada doesn’t get rid of the calories from our drinking game, we don’t know what will.
[via Curbed NY] [Feature Image Courtesy Curbed NY]