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Albany Skyway

The first project of its kind to convert an elevated highway ramp into an ADA-compliant linear park

  • 50K

    Square Feet Impervious Reduction

  • $10M

    Construction Value

  • Albany, New York

    Albany, New York

Asset transformation connects downtown Albany to its waterfront

Connecting downtown and the Arbor Hill and Warehouse District neighborhoods to the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail and the Hudson River, the Albany Skyway addresses the community’s desire for greater access to open space, existing parks, and the waterfront.  How was this accomplished? By transforming a highway ramp into a linear park.

Our design required extensive analyses, detailed design, and an interdisciplinary team. Every facet of the new park is accessible and constructed with long-term maintenance in mind. The work of our landscape architects, structural engineers, traffic engineers, electrical engineers, civil engineers, and security experts was critical, as was coordination with utility providers and neighboring property owners. Community engagement through placemaking built excitement for the Skyway and integrated local context in the programming and design of the space.

The vibrant linear park provides space for social gatherings, festivals, and other events. But more than that, it introduces a more walkable downtown and a civic destination that is unique to the City of Albany.

Image Credit: Kate Glicksberg (images 3 and 6).

At a Glance

Offices
Client
  • Capitalize Albany Corporation
Award
ACEC New York Diamond Award, 2020
CTASLA Professional Awards Honor Award, Landscape Planning & Analysis, 2020
American Society of Landscape Architects, New York, Award of Merit, 2020

Converting an underused Interstate ramp into a city park

Learn how this award-winning, first-of-its kind project came to life, transforming an aging piece of infrastructure and reconnecting downtown Albany to its waterfront.

Meet Our Team

Chris Carter, Associate, Structural Engineer

My structural design skills and my bridge inspection skills go hand-in-hand; one informs the other, enhancing my work on all projects.

Travis Ewen, Senior Associate

I seek to blend issues of ecology, resilience, mobility and promote access to beautiful and meaningful open space for all.

Steve Kearney, Principal

Working with—and learning from—community members is what excites me most in all of my planning projects.

Barbara Nazarewicz, Project Manager

I love taking the chaotic tangle of divergent stakeholder needs and transform them into one beautiful ribbon.

Gary Sorge , Vice President, Community Development, Discipline Leader (Landscape Architecture)

Designing infrastructure with the ability to withstand natural and human impacts is an economic and social responsibility.
Gary Sorge Vice President, Community Development, Discipline Leader (Landscape Architecture) Read More

Lisa Westrick, Principal, Transportation

I’m passionate about solving problems and balancing the puzzle of how to best meet the needs, and wish list, of a client and the community.

Chris Carter

Associate, Structural Engineer

Travis Ewen

Senior Associate

Steve Kearney

Principal

Barbara Nazarewicz

Project Manager

Gary Sorge

Vice President, Community Development, Discipline Leader (Landscape Architecture)

Lisa Westrick

Principal, Transportation

We’re better together

  • Become a client

    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

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