Peter Fleischer, Executive Director

Five years ago the Empire State Future Coalition was launched to create a New York State source for education and advocacy on sustainable and equitable land use and community/economic development. Since, nationally-recognized legislation has been signed, countless projects have been completed and numerous communities have begun to rejuvenate. We have accomplished so much; yet, there still remains so much more to be done to revitalize New York’s many historic main streets, town centers, and urban areas.

New York’s regions face highly varied land use and development challenges. While regional leaders are tasked with determining what is appropriate for their community, there are distinct state-level policy measures that New York State can implement now to provide the necessary tools and incentives to get all of New York State on the path to a more economically prosperous, sustainable and equitable future.

Empire State Future’s 2013-2014 Policy Priorities are unique opportunities to promote regionally appropriate progressive land use policy.

Our goals include:

1. A comprehensive state infrastructure plan focused on rebuilding water and sewer, agricultural, transit-oriented, and quality-of-life infrastructure.
2. Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) emphasis on projects that rebuild main streets, town centers and urban areas.
3. A Location Efficiency metric that along with the work of the Cleaner Greener Communities plans guides the REDC process.
4. Substantial return on investment that is possible when linked to strong New York State incentives and technical support for Transit-Oriented Development that includes a meaningful amount of fair and affordable housing.
5. A voting seat for a transit-dependent rider on the five largest New York State public transit authority boards.
6. A publicly accessible venue where experts study sustainable and equitable infrastructure choices for the New York Harbor.
7. A pilot program to revive struggling or defunct strip malls into sustainable lifestyle centers.

Empire State Future believes in common ground between developers and environmentalists, between economic development leaders and smart growth advocates. We believe in growth that brings jobs, stability and prosperity. Growth can substantially improve our communities if it is in the right place… done the right way.

You can read the pdf version of our draft 2013-2014 priorities here