4. DEVELOP TOOLS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION IN THE VALLEY

Challenge: As the US economy shifts from manufacturing to service sector based activity, localities around the nation have rediscovered their waterfronts and centered new planning efforts around these opportunities.  While towns in the Hudson River Valley generally developed away from the waterfront, they would be wise to consider the reuse of former industrial sites, and opportunities to expand access to the river.

Increase access to the Hudson River.

• Adopt Land Use that encourages access along the Shore, Creation of New Physical Connections, and Adaptive Re-use of Infrastructure:
  A number of former manufacturing sites along the river possess enormous potential for adaptive reuse as parks, housing, light industrial and other uses.  Small investments to physically connect these sites to the mainland or the river could reap significant shared benefits to local communities.
• Build Eco-docks and Other Connections to the River: Eco-docks, which rise and fall with the tide, are easy to install and inexpensive to maintain, and it is generally easier to obtain permits to install these docks.  These and other low-cost options should be explored to allow residents better access to the dock and promote trans-river transportation and goods distribution options.