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The Lansing Town Board voted Wednesday to contract with Beardsley Architects and Engineers to develop a master plan for Myers Park and the recreational fields that will include plans for some of the vacant land north of the Town Hall and ball fields.  The board authorized $15,000 to develop the plan, which will then be used to support grant applications to fund an array of potential projects.

"It's an opportunity for us to put together a strategy," said Lansing Planning Consultant Michael Long.  "When you are looking for grants to support infrastructure, capital projects, or park projects, it's extremely important to have a defined project.  It's one thing to have a pretty picture, but it's more important to have an accurate estimate of what the costs are going to be.  That's where you have a leg up on the competition."

Long explained that each year applications are considered for New York State Annual Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) grants.  He said Lansing would compete with other Southern Tier municipalities for funding, and that having a concrete plan with accurate cost estimates would increase Lansing's chances of being awarded the money.

Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne noted that of the $15,000 budgeted to appraise the 150 acre land across the street from the town ball fields, only $7,700 was actually spent. 

"In my mind that gives us $7,300 to put toward this already," he said.  "When you can generate grants from this, I believe it's money well spent."

Councilwoman Katrina Binkewicz added that there is also money left in the comprehensive plan budget, and as part of that planning it could also be applied to the master plan.

Long said Parks Superintendent Steve Colt has a concept sketch of a pavilion that could be a first phase project.  It would have a new concrete slab and include a fireplace in the design.  The new pavilion would replace an older existing pavilion.

Other potential projects include a bridge connecting Myers Park and Salt Point across Salmon Creek, relocating canoe/kayak racks to a more suitable location to enhance lake views from the park, enlarging the bath house building to possibly include space for concessions, while keeping the canoe/kayak rental business in place, a small toilet and shower building in the camping area of the park, upgrades to the small playground near the historical log cabin near the park entrance, and lighting around the driving loop, among other possibilities.



Binkewicz said she would like to increase the scope further to include other areas such as the ball fields next to the Highway Department barn.  Binkewicz said that land might be better used for commercial businesses if the field were relocated on the town land across Auburn Road from the main ball field area.  She also suggested a comprehensive look at possible enhancements to Lansing's recreation facilities in the next two decades that could attract more tourism dollars to the Town.

"I like the idea of a master plan and I fully understand we need it going into grant processes," she said.  "But because what may or may not happen across the road is still to be seen.  Originally they said they would like to keep three parcels, that would be sufficient for fields.  Does it make sense to consolidate those fields by the highway garage with the larger area?   I would like to see an A proposal and a B proposal, the A being those three areas they were originally talking about, and B being what type of different recreation projects are there, going into the future, that might bring money to the Town and make us special and different from a tourism standpoint?"

The 153 acre vacant land on Auburn Road was recently appraised in preparation for putting some or all of it up for sale.  That land has been considered the site of a potential town center by some, but there hasn't been a consensus on what that would look like, if it were even to be accomplished.  Parts of it are considered prime commercial properties, while other portions may be ideal for residential development.  Some townspeople think it should be used for farming.

Whatever commercial development happens there, part of the current thinking is to hold back some of the property for municipal use, including the possibility of more ball fields, a possible new park, open space and even a new community center.  Krogh said it would be better to hold back more land than to sell off too much too soon.

"If it turns out you needed 50 acres for the next 20 years and you only save 30, that's a problem" Town Attorney Guy Krogh said.  "Getting professional input in coordination with (Park Superintendent and recreation director) Steve Colt, getting public input , board input and document what you have so when the grant cycle comes you can prove this is very viable.  That's the value of it from the technical/legal perspective."

Board members liked the idea of a plan.  Councilwoman Andra Benson said a plan would insure a unified approach to development on the town land.  She said if there is no plan development would be piecemeal.

"If you build a house you hire an architect," LaVigne said.  "You don't just build it yourself and watch the walls fall down.  I'd rather have an experienced set of eyes on this and at the end of the day if we're not comfortable with it we can say, 'that's a great idea but it's not for us.'  the final say comes from the citizens that interact with us, and also how we vote."

The Board voted to approve the proposal and contract subject to legal review and acceptance by both parties.

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