Reimagine the canals
Delivering the revitalization of canal-side communities in New York State
This case study exemplifies how infrastructure can be reimagined to serve modern needs – balancing heritage, sustainability and economic vitality. It鈥檚 a model for other regions seeking to transform legacy assets into future-ready resources.
Overview
The 524-mile New York State Canal System, once a backbone of American industrial growth, faced decades of decline. In 2017, New York Power Authority (NYPA) partnered with 海角视频 to launch the Reimagine the Canals initiative, an ambitious, multi-year strategy to reposition the Erie Canal as a 21st-century asset for New Yorkers.
Through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and innovative design, the initiative has delivered a blueprint for sustainable development, ecological restoration and enhanced recreational opportunities across upstate New York.
Read on to discover how 海角视频 and the NYPA transformed a historic waterway into a catalyst for climate resilience, economic regeneration and community revitalization.
Reimagining a Historic Asset for a New Century
For more than 200 years, New York’s Canal System shaped the growth of communities, industries, and economies across the state. Yet by the time the New York Power Authority assumed stewardship of the 524-mile system in 2017, the canals faced a new reality: aging infrastructure, shifting economic conditions, increasing climate risks, and changing community needs.
The challenge was not simply how to maintain a historic waterway, but how to redefine its role for the future. State leaders sought a strategy that could preserve the canals’ legacy while unlocking new opportunities for economic development, environmental restoration, recreation, tourism, and community resilience.
海角视频 was engaged to help develop a vision capable of aligning stakeholders, securing investment, and transforming ideas into an actionable program for implementation.
The 524-mile New York State Canal System includes 4 connected canals, 52 locks, 10 movable dams, 19 guard gates, and other water control infrastructure.
Key milestones
2017
IDEATION
- competition management
- white paper development
- expert workshops
- community engagement
- high level task force
management - interdisciplinary visioning
2019
PLANNING
- organizational strategy/
governance - communications
- feasibility studies and
master planning - asset assessment and
management strategy - cost-benefit analysis
2021
implementation
- reimagine organization
- project management
for large-scale, multidisciplinary
intiatives - procurement strategies
and on-call frameworks - RFP and scope
development for
contracting - sub-consultant oversight
Leading Vision, Strategy and Delivery
海角视频 served as strategic advisor and program lead for the Reimagine the Canals initiative, guiding the project from vision development through implementation planning and project delivery.
Our team:
- Managed an international ideas competition that attracted 142 submissions from around the world.
- Established and directed a statewide task force comprising local leaders, stakeholders, and government agencies.
- Conducted technical, economic, environmental and resilience studies across the canal corridor.
- Developed investment priorities and project-selection criteria.
- Created implementation strategies for a governor-approved funding portfolio.
- Continued supporting project delivery, procurement and program implementation after the strategic plan was adopted.
The result was a comprehensive roadmap that repositioned the canal system as a catalyst for community revitalization, environmental stewardship and long-term economic growth.
Pedestrian Bridge, Brockport, New York
海角视频 led design efforts for a pedestrian bridge in Brockport, NY, including feasibility studies, stakeholder engagement, and procurement. We developed criteria for selecting a design/build firm, conducted a climate resiliency study, created a master plan for connectivity, and secured an additional $2 million in funding through philanthropic partnerships.
Canastota Pocket Neighborhood
海角视频 supported NYPA and Madison County in advancing an innovative canal-side housing development designed to bring new residents and investment to the community. The team led developer procurement, market analysis, and evaluation efforts, helping translate a strategic vision for canal revitalization into a tangible redevelopment opportunity.
Guy Park Manor Redevelopment
Working with NYPA and project partners, 海角视频 developed a strategy to transform the historic Guy Park Manor site from an underutilized, flood-impacted property into a destination that celebrates the canal’s heritage while supporting future economic growth. The project combines resilience planning, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse to unlock new opportunities for investment and tourism.
Canal Resilience Program
As part of the broader Reimagine the Canals initiative, 海角视频 led a series of resilience efforts focused on flood mitigation, drought management, irrigation expansion, FEMA floodplain remapping, and wetland restoration. These initiatives help communities adapt to climate risks while enhancing environmental performance across one of New York’s most significant infrastructure systems.
Key themes
Across its three watersheds, the historic waterway offers an unprecedented opportunity to achieve five key goals.
Goals:
- Assess how the Erie Canal can help mitigate impacts from flooding and ice jams to improve resiliency and restore ecosystems in canal communities.
- Identify opportunities for using Erie Canal infrastructure to expand irrigation for Western New York farms.
- Identify potential new uses for the Erie Canal aimed at improving the quality of life for New Yorkers.’
- Evaluate how the Erie Canal can support and enhance economic development along the canal corridor.
- Find new opportunities to enhance recreation and tourism along the Erie Canal.
Four key themes emerged during our work. They span everything from the economic benefits, to the historic and ecological preservation of the area. Each apsect plays its part in the success of the project and its relevance to similar locations.
Reimagining Infrastructure
Exploring new uses for a historic waterway and transforming canal assets into drivers of economic, environmental, and community value. From adaptive reuse and recreation to operational improvements and infrastructure renewal, the initiative redefined what the canal system could be for future generations.
Strengthening Resilience
Leveraging the canal system to address flooding, drought, ecosystem degradation, and other climate-related challenges. The initiative integrated environmental restoration and climate adaptation into long-term planning, helping communities become more resilient while enhancing ecological performance.
Revitalizing Communities
Creating vibrant canal-side destinations that attract residents, visitors, and investment. Through placemaking, housing, tourism, public realm improvements, and destination development, the initiative helped position the canal as a catalyst for local economic growth and quality of life.
Delivering Lasting Impact
Building consensus, prioritizing investments, and translating vision into action. Through stakeholder engagement, technical analysis, implementation planning, and project delivery support, the initiative advanced a $300M portfolio of projects and programs designed to generate lasting benefits across the corridor.
The Roadmap
To develop a shared vision for the future of the Canal System, 海角视频 supported NYPA establish and direct a Task Force made up of 30+ local stakeholders to 6 relevant NY statewide agencies in order to garner input for this vision. Over six months, our team facilitated a series of workshops and technical reviews, bringing together diverse perspectives to identify opportunities for economic development, environmental restoration, recreation, resilience, and operational improvement.
海角视频 led feasibility studies and impact assessments across a range of initiatives, including flood mitigation, wetland restoration, invasive species management, and irrigation expansion. The resulting Reimagine the Canals Task Force Report established a prioritized roadmap for investing $300 million in capital and operational improvements, creating a framework to preserve the Canal System’s heritage while adapting it to the evolving needs of communities across New York State.
The numbers
The economic benefits of revitalising New York’s Erie Canal network are clear. These benefits help create a resilient and sustainable outcome for the local community and help endure the ongoing success of the programme.
State funding commitment advanced for implementation projects and programs
Ideas submitted through international competition process
Projected increase in regional economic output from revitalization initiatives
Finalists advanced for further evaluation and development
Jobs supported economic development and implementation activities
Projects supported through implementation, procurement and ongoing delivery efforts
A transformation
Use the slider below to experience the visual transformation of the Erie canal
Get the full picture
To find out more and how we helped New York Power Authority achieve their goals, download the full case study. Alternatively, get in touch with our specialists to find out how they can help solve your challenge and breathe new life into your urban asset.
Reimagine the canals (PDF)
The question that confronts us is no longer
what is the canal for?
but rather
who is it for?
鈥� Reimagine the Canals Task Force Report
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