New Falls View Park Unveiled at Cohoes Falls
Public/Private Collaboration with National Park Service
Cohoes, New York [August 21, 2008] – Officials from Brookfield Renewable Power and the City of Cohoes today joined local state, federal and county representatives for a ribbon cutting to unveil the new Falls View Park on the Mohawk River near Cohoes Falls.
The four-acre Falls View Park is adjacent to Brookfield Renewable Power’s 38-megawatt School Street hydroelectric generating facility. The park offers a view of the scenic Cohoes Falls never before open to the public. It also marks a unique public/private collaboration between Brookfield Renewable Power, the City of Cohoes and the National Park Service’s Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor.
“With Falls View Park, visitors have an unobstructed view of the beautiful Cohoes Falls, the second largest falls in New York State,” said John T. McDonald III, Mayor of the City of Cohoes and the ribbon cutting master of ceremonies. “The new park also serves as a historical link between the falls and Cohoes’ historic Harmony Mills district. We are pleased to be part of this milestone public/private collaboration between Brookfield Renewable Power and the Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor,” McDonald added.
The interpretive panels found in Falls View Park’s canal-side plaza, created by the National Park Service, mark the first project this agency has undertaken on behalf of a private company. The signage highlights the historical, educational and geological significance of the Cohoes Falls, Mohawk River and other nearby points of interest.
"Falls View Park is a fantastic addition to the eastern gateway to the Erie Canal. We're thrilled that people will have the opportunity to see the stunning natural beauty and power of Cohoes Falls and learn about its history,” said Beth Sciumeca, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Waterford, New York. “From the rise of the region's textile mills and the construction of the engineering marvel of the Waterford flight of locks -- which enabled canal boats to bypass the 75-foot falls -- to its use for waterpower, Cohoes Falls has played a pivotal role in the region's history."
Falls View Park was developed as part of Brookfield Renewable Power’s 40-year operating license for the School Street hydropower plant granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in February 2007. “The license represents a diverse and comprehensive array of public interests, including increased, year-round flow over the Cohoes Falls and protection of fish and wildlife,” said Tom Uncher, general manager of Brookfield Renewable Power’s Hudson River Operations.
Lyn Taylor, President/CEO of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce said, “We applaud Brookfield Renewable Power for building Falls View Park, an attraction that will bring visitors closer than ever to the Cohoes Falls. This park will yield both economic and cultural benefits to Cohoes, and with increased tourism, real estate and educational opportunities, the opening of Falls View Park is a significant development not only for the city, but for all of Tech Valley.”
In fact, during the School Street redevelopment project (which includes the development of Falls View Park*), Brookfield Renewable Power will employ approximately 60 individuals. Most of these temporary jobs are through the project general contractor D.A. Collins of Mechanicville, New York. Barton & Loguidice, a New York-based engineering firm, designed the new Falls View Park.
Visitors to Falls View Park can now enjoy a wide range of recreational and historical features including:
· A two-bus, drop-off area and an informational kiosk along North Mohawk Street;
· A 192-foot-long pedestrian bridge spanning the School Street power canal from North Mohawk Street to the primary overlook area;
· Primary and secondary overlooks areas with view of the falls and access to nearby trails;
· Americans with Disability Act (ADA)-compliant facilities such as fishing platforms. These platforms are topped with IPÊ wood, a strong, dense wood, harvested only from naturally sustainable forests. This fire-resistant wood has very high wear durability in daily use, and is resistant to splintering and checking; and
· An 80-person amphitheatre
The carry in/carry out park will be open during daylight hours from May through October.
Brookfield Renewable Power is one of the largest independent owner-operators of high-quality, low-cost, renewable, hydroelectric power facilities. The company owns and operates 75 hydropower plants New York State, with 14 in the Hudson River region.
About Brookfield Renewable Power
Brookfield Renewable Power Inc., wholly-owned by Brookfield Asset Management Inc., has over 100 years of experience as an owner, operator and developer of hydroelectric power facilities. Its portfolio includes more than 160 generating facilities with over 4,000 megawatts of capacity, of which 95% is sourced from renewable energy. It also has a 6,700 megawatt hydroelectric and wind project pipeline. Brookfield Renewable Power’s operations are primarily located in North America and Brazil. Brookfield Asset Management Inc., focused on property, power and infrastructure assets, has approximately US$95 billion of assets under management and is listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbols BAM and BAM.A, respectively, and on Euronext Amsterdam under the symbol BAMA. In early July, Fitch Ratings affirmed Brookfield Renewable Power’s debt rating as outstanding, citing the company’s dynamic hydropower portfolio. For more information, please visit Brookfield Renewable Power’s website at www.brookfieldpower.com and Brookfield Asset Management’s website at www.brookfield.com.
