STREETSCAPE & COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO

Phase 1 | State Street Streetscape

Nott Terrace to Lafayette Street

Phase 2 | State Street Streetscape

Broadway to Erie Blvd

Phase 3 | State Street Streetscape

Lafayette Street to Broadway

FEATURED PROJECTS:Phase One State Streetscape | Schenectady, New YorkPhase Two State Streetscape | Schenectady, New YorkPhase Three State Streetscape | Schenectady, New YorkJay Street Streetscape | Schenectady, New YorkVillage Green | Scotia, New YorkADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:The Equinox Resort | Manchester, VermontLark Street Streetscape | Albany, New YorkProctor’s Walk of the Stars | Schenectady, New YorkRPI Student Union Traffic & Pedestrian Study | Troy, New YorkUnion College - Seward Place | Schenectady, New YorkParking Improvements at St. Clare’s Hospital | Schenectady, New YorkState Street-Fehr to Furman Streetscape | Schenectady, New YorkState Street Streetscape Master Plan | Schenectady, New YorkStockade Gateway | Schenectady, New YorkUpper Union Street Master Plan/Streetscape | Schenectady, New YorkVillage of Lake Placid Town Hall | Lake Placid, New York

Jay Street Streetscape

Village Green

Additional Streetscape Experience

STREETSCAPE-COMM-MAIN-2

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STREETSCAPE & COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO

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State Street Streetscape Phase One

Schenectady, New York

Awards:

2003 Chamber of Schenectady County

Award For Outstanding Appearance

2005 ASLA New York Upstate Chapter

Award of Merit Best of 2005 New York Construction

2006 AIA New York State Citation for Urban Planning Design

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Phase One of the State Street Streetscape sets an urban tone for the entry into the downtown business area with continuous rows of large-scale street trees that define the pedestrian area and provide a distinctive entry to adjacent Veterans’ Park. Ornamental metal fencing with granite piers define new entry points to the park.

PHASE TWO ST STREET

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State Street Streetscape Phase Two

Schenectady, New York

Awards:

2003 Chamber of Schenectady County

Award For Outstanding Appearance

2005 ASLA New York Upstate Chapter

Award of Merit Best of 2005 New York Construction

2006 AIA New York State Citation for Urban Planning Design

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Phase 2 of the State Street redevelopment project focused on the transformation of an unsightly railway bridge spanning the street into a major bus stop area. Synthesis designed an ornamental truss for each side of the bridge along with decorative arches and brick columns that serve as a gateway from each side of the bifurcated downtown. The bus stop is fully handicapped accessible, and the well lit architecture creates a high point in the downtown and a memorable focal point for the street.

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PHASE THREE ST STREET

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State Street Streetscape Phase Three

Schenectady, New York

Awards:

2003 Chamber of Schenectady County

Award For Outstanding Appearance

2005 ASLA New York Upstate Chapter

Award of Merit Best of 2005 New York Construction

2006 AIA New York State Citation for Urban Planning Design

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Phase Three of the State Street Streetscape project lies between the eastern and western portions of the commercial spine of downtown Schenectady redeveloped during Phases One and Two. The centerpiece of Phase Three is a spacious urban piazza located in front of the existing City Center, itself scheduled for major improvements. The piazza includes a water wall accented by a high-tech lighting system and an elevated stage area for small-scale outdoor performances. The streetscape treatment of the earlier phases is continued along the right-of-way, giving cohesiveness to the area.

JAY STREET STREETSCAPE

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Jay Street Pedestrian Area

Schenectady, New York

The focus of the Jay Street streetscape project was to create a new pedestrian mall to attract businesses and shoppers to downtown Schenectady, New York. The project previously failed because of incorrect paver details by a previous firm. Richard Eats was hired to provide a new design with proper paver and subbase design to withstand the upstate New York winter weather conditions. A unique feature of Mr. Eat’s solution is the pavement design that integrates alternating paver patterns and introduces a feeling of motion through the space while providing effective drainage for storm water. Street furniture and lights complement local building styles and were selected by Synthesis founding partner, John Senisi, volunteering his efforts toward the grass roots revitalization effort “Schenectady 2000”. Trees and shrubs were planted in raised granite curbed planters, adding color and character to the area.

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VILLAGE GREEN SCOTIA

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Village Green

Scotia, New York

The Village of Scotia, located in Schenectady County, is a small, close-knit community that provides a number of amenities to its residents, including an excellent park system and access to the Mohawk River. The main street of the Village is a popular civic and commercial area. The public library, post office, a church, movie theater, and restaurants, as well as a number of retail shops line the street. However, the Village lacked a central civic focal space that could be used for public ceremonies and events.Synthesis identified an under utilized area along the street in front of a public parking lot and designed an attractive gathering space that includes a raised podium, defined by a low stone retaining wall and ornamental metal fence. A handsome street clock, set on a base that includes a sign panel used to announce special events, provides vertical interest. Plantings were selected for year-round interest. Paving detail combines concrete sidewalk with brick insets. Benches offer comfortable seating set back from the walkway and pedestrian-scale light fixtures illuminate the area for evening use.

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ADDITIONAL STREETSCAPE

Upper Union Street Streetscape

Schenectady, New York

Stockade Gateway

Schenectady, New York

Little Italy

Schenectady, New York

Union College - Seward Place

Schenectady, New York

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Synthesis designed a streetscape plan, prepared contract documents, assisted in the bidding process, and provided construction phase coordination for the Seward Place streetscape design. Adjacent to the Union College campus, this heavily travelled residential street includes properties purchased by the College for student housing and several owner-occupied residences. A critical component of the project was Synthesis’ outreach to the community to listen to concerns and accept public input prior to development of the streetscape plan.The project included burying utility lines, installing underground computer cables, and reconfiguring the street by broadening one side to allow for a sidewalk, adjusting the width of travel lanes, and adding traffic calming components. Existing landscape islands were redesigned as bi-level islands and new granite curbing and concrete sidewalks were installed. Synthesis’ design for a focal point at an important intersection leading into the College connotes the entry and slows traffic where paving material changes from asphalt to brick and stone
The historic Stockade District of Schenectady, located near the Mohawk River near the City’s downtown, dates from the 1600s, when, in fact, the city-to-be was a stockaded outpost near the western edge of settler-occupied territory. Today, buildings more than two centuries old grace this residential area that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The City, recognizing the need for an appropriate entry to the Stockade, selected Synthesis to design this area. The completed project includes two granite pillars marking the entry, along with appropriate paving, lighting, and landscaping.
The historic Stockade District of Schenectady, located near the Mohawk River near the City’s downtown, dates from the 1600s, when, in fact, the city-to-be was a stockaded outpost near the western edge of settler-occupied territory. Today, buildings more than two centuries old grace this residential area that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The City, recognizing the need for an appropriate entry to the Stockade, selected Synthesis to design this area. The completed project includes two granite pillars marking the entry, along with appropriate paving, lighting, and landscaping.
Upper Union Street is a retail-oriented commercial neighborhood near the eastern boundary of Schenectady. Local merchants sought to revitalize the street and improve parking and traffic conditions. Synthesis was commissioned by the City to design a streetscape and develop an overall plan that would give the area a distinctive appearance. The Upper Union Street Merchants Association acted as liaison between Synthesis, merchants, and local property owners.

LIGHTHOUSE RESTAURANT SITE

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Waters Edge Lighthouse

Restaurant Site Design

Glenville, New York

Awards:

2008 ASLA New York Upstate Chapter Merit award-Built Design

2008 Capital Region Living Magazine 5th Annual Best of The Capital Region - Best Outdoor Dining

2005 Runner-Up Winner In The National 2005 “versa-Lok” Conrete Retaining Wall Systems Design Contest

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The Waters Edge Lighthouse restaurant is the first phase of a multi-phase waterfront development project located on the Mohawk River in the Town of Glenville, New York. Phase I of the project focused on the renovation of the existing restaurant, which was a dilapidated under-utilized facility along the riverfront with tremendous potential. The renovated building, for which Synthesis was also the project architect, was renamed the Waters Edge Lighthouse Restaurant, and the facility has already become one of the region’s most distinguished facilities for its food and ambiance. The primary goal of Phase I is to restore the architectural integrity of the historic Seely house, as well as provide a variety of accessible outdoor seating areas for the Lighthouse restaurant patron, while engaging the site’s topography, and fostering views to the river. The restaurant is designed to comprehensively fit into the overall master plan for the site. The overall master plan includes the future development of a 50 room inn, an outdoor pavilion, renovation to the existing marina shop, improved and enlarged parking lots and various landscape improvements to create a premier waterfront destination along the important tourist waterway, the Mohawk River and historic Erie Canal.

Schenectady, New York 518 370-1576

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