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Through our Community Planning & Development Program, we engage in projects designed to help build healthy and prosperous communities, by providing information, support and direct assistance to communities on land use, planning, and community development issues. Among the services we provide are:
The Catskill Center is available to provide general technical assistance to any one of the over 150 units of local government (towns, villages, etc.) in the Catskills. We routinely provide help with grants-writing, general planning, land use and zoning issues, as well as assistance in evaluating development proposals. We also occasionally draft land use regulations and assist communities with comprehensive planning. Finally, through the dissemination of information, The Catskill Center facilitates coordinated planning efforts at the local and regional levels.
Find Out More... (85 Kb fact sheet), pdf will open in new browser window
One of the unique ways The Catskill Center helps communities is through a process called "community visioning." Through a series of facilitated workshops, our staff leads communities through a process that helps them formulate a broad vision for the future, pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, develop a series of specific project ideas, and prioritize those projects for implementation. As a neutral third party, The Catskill Center's presence and assistance often helps bring different community groups and factions together to work toward a common goal. Over the years we have provided this service to dozens of communities throughout the region.
Find Out More... (125 Kb fact sheet), pdf will open in new browser window
Rock Hill Workshop Results (151 Kb), pdf will open in new browser window
A Vision for the Kauneonga Lake Downtown Corridor (740 Kb), pdf will open in new browser window
Since the mid-1990s, The Catskill Center has been actively involved in providing information and technical assistance to communities on Main Street revitalization and downtown development issues. Over the years, we have worked with dozens of communities in the Catskill mountain region through a wide variety of projects and programs. Among other things, we have sponsored training workshops, performed downtown assessments, and provided free architectural design.
The Catskill Center also helps towns and villages with downtown revitalization by developing and implementing façade improvement programs, and administering a small grant program designed to jump start downtown revitalization projects funded through Senator John Bonacic's office. We also work with local and regional tourism entities and experts to promote the Catskills through image development, small-town economic development and smart growth initiative promotion.
Find Out More... (177 Kb fact sheet), pdf will open in new browser window
Hurleyville Downtown Revitalization Strategy (425 Kb), pdf will open in new browser window
Main Street Micro Grant Application (87 Kb), pdf will open in new browser window
Regional Conferences, Forums, and Workshops
In an effort to disseminate information on planning issues facing the region, we regularly convene conferences, forums and workshops on topics of regional interest to local officials, citizen planners, organizations and businesses. Past conference topics have covered subjects such as historic barn preservation, the municipal siting of wind farm projects, tips and techniques for effective grant writing, and more. In addition, for the past three years, we have co-hosted a regional forum on downtown revitalization in partnership with Main Street Sullivan.
Main Street Forum Brochure (Nov. 2005) (96 Kb fact sheet), pdf will open in new browser window
From time to time, The Catskill Center engages in long-term planning projects with communities that have multiple elements. These projects encompass a wide variety of initiatives, including quality communities demonstration projects, historic preservation, parks and trails development and more.
Margaretville Revitalization and Recreational Use Plan
This plan, completed in 2001, was funded through a Quality Communities Demonstration Grant. It focused on revitalization of Margaretville's Main Street through the potential use of several properties acquired by the NYCDEP through a flood buy-out program. The plan examined the potential for creating a series of interconnected walking paths and recreational sites through the Village, revitalization of the downtown business district, and entryway enhancements. Successful implementation of several of the recommendations outlined in the plan earned Margaretville the Governor's Award for Quality Communities Excellence in 2004.
Margaretville Quality Communities Plan Fact Sheet (170 Kb fact sheet), pdf will open in new browser window
Margaretville Revitalization & Recreational Use Plan (3.03 MB), pdf will open in new browser window
Redevelopment Strategy for Mt. Utsayantha
In December 2002, the Mayor of the Village of Stamford approached The Catskill Center for assistance in examining the potential for redevelopment of a 20-acre park and a historic observation building that had fallen into disrepair and been badly vandalized. This plan, completed in October of 2003, contains information and presents various options for restoration of the observatory and fire tower, as a well as a landscape master plan for the park itself. It covers issues like access and security, and also examines the potential for additional trail development on the mountain.
Mt Utsayantha Redevelopment Project Fact Sheet (155 Kb fact sheet), pdf will open in new browser window
Mt. Utsayantha Web Site: www.utsayantha.com
O&W Rail Trail Corridor Plan
Currently under development, this plan is funded through a Quality Communities Grant awarded to the Town of Fallsburg in 2005. The primary objective of this project is to develop a corridor plan that would outline the steps necessary and funding required to complete and expand an existing hiking and biking trail along the old Ontario & Western (O&W) railroad line in Sullivan County.
O&W Rail Trail Web Site: www.oandwrailtrail.org
© Copyright - The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Inc. · A private, not-for-profit, membership-supported organization founded in
1969 to help build healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities within the 6,000 square-mile Catskill Mountain region of New York State.
PO Box 504 · Route 28
Arkville, NY 12406
(845) 586-2611
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