PATTERN FOR PROGRESS CALLS FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS ACUTE INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS, AND OFFERS SOLUTIONS

Aging roads, bridges, water & wastewater systems require big dollars to secure future

To see the executive summary click here

To read the full report click here

A significant new Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress report details the alarming extent of deteriorating roads, bridges and water and wastewater systems in seven communities and across the region — and tallies the massive price tag, billions of dollars, to improve them and ensure reliability.

Pattern’s 166-page report, “Rebuilding Our Infrastructure: Got A Spare Billion? Actions, Dollars Needed Now,” urges additional funding and prioritization of these repairs, which already have started to be addressed by New York State.

Just as importantly, Pattern’s analysis recommends 63 solutions, including creative strategies to pursue funding and formulate short- and long-term visions for repairs and upgrades. The suggestions include potential legislation, uses of cutting-edge technology, and approaches for sharing expertise and emulating successful models across the nation and around the world.

“People don’t often think about infrastructure, but it’s an important quality-of-life and business-attraction and retention issue,” Pattern President & CEO Jonathan Drapkin said. “Maintaining infrastructure must be a priority. We believe this report provides a roadmap.”

With the support of the Hudson Valley Regional Economic Development Council, Pattern’s Center For Housing Solutions was asked by New York State Empire State Development to assess infrastructure in seven small and mid-sized urban communities: the cities of Kingston, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Peekskill and Poughkeepsie, and the villages of Brewster and Monticello. Pattern’s report arms each community with a wealth of data, ideas and expertise.

The findings in these “Opportunity Areas” were stark: Many roads and bridges urgently need repair or upgrades. Communities have deep, persistent worries about water and wastewater management and safety — or have facilities that can no longer wait for repairs and upgrades. Heavily used commuter hubs are wearing down. The price and volume of work necessary to return infrastructure to a “state of good repair” is steep, despite proactive efforts by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature to provide billions in recent state budgets.

The problem, Pattern found, was created by a confluence of factors that include deferred maintenance, financial crunches, growing price tags for repairs, demographic shifts and municipalities’ reduced staffing.

“Part of the problem these communities face is their limited capacity to act on needs,” Drapkin said. “We urge these communities to pick and choose strategies that apply to them.”

To set up interviews with Pattern, or learn more about the report, call (845) 565-4900, or visit www.PatternforProgress.org, where the report — and a library of previous reports on topics such as housing, transportation, education and how cities are revitalizing — are available.

Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is a nonprofit policy and planning organization that promotes regional, balanced and sustainable solutions to enhance the Hudson Valley. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, and based in Newburgh, N.Y., Pattern works within Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Visit PatternForProgress.org. Follow us on Twitter at @HVPattern and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/PatternForProgress.