IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2024

MAYOR MANTELLO ANNOUNCES REALLOCATION OF ARPA FUNDING FOR FREAR PARK REVITALIZATION PROJECT, LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM AND PEAK AMBULANCE PROJECT

Mayor Carmella R. Mantello today announced reappropriating approximately $5 million of ARPA funding for a transformational project at Frear Park, additional funding for the City’s lead pipe replacement program and additional funding for the city’s peak ambulance project.

Mayor Mantello stated, “My administration has done an amazing job getting several ARPA projects back on track and complete, such as the many parks we opened this year, the Knickerbacker Pool and the new Lansingburgh Firehouse to name a few. The Frear Park transformational Revitalization Project exemplifies that Frear Park is more than a golf course. Frear Park is our largest park with over 82 acres, and this project will not only benefit the Sycaway and North Central neighborhoods but the city and the region.”

Mantello continued, “Additionally, our city’s lead pipe replacement program continues to be a model for other municipalities throughout the state with the replacement of over 300 lead pipes this year bringing us to over 400 lead pipes replaced throughout the city. An RFP will be going out shortly to hire multiple contractors for 2025.”

The city was awarded $42 million in ARPA funding and all monies need to be under contracts by December 31, 2024 and projects completed by December 31, 2026. Mantello added, “We are not going to give a penny back to the federal government. This $5 million are monies from various completed projects that did not utilize all their funding and came under budget, and other projects that did not come to fruition and will not meet the necessary deadline to complete.”

The Frear Park Revitalization Project will make substantial improvements to the North Lake Avenue Playground, the lower playground and grilling area, a new community and restaurant facility, current tennis courts and improvements towards ADA compliance. Frear Park is Troy’s largest park and offers so many opportunities for residents and visitors to recreate. The City was recently provided with a draft condition report on the park’s facilities, amenities and infrastructure which has several major public safety, public health, infrastructure and accessibility deficiencies. 

Some of the proposed upgrades for Frear Park include, but are not limited to,

• New playground equipment for the North Lake Avenue section of Frear Park. This section provides a great opportunity for a fully inclusive playground, including but not limited to widened ramps, sensory panel equipment, handicap accessible swing sets and accessible slides.
• Adding ADA compliant sidewalks to access the North Lake Avenue Playground 
• Purchase of new outdoor park grills, playground equipment and fencing for the lower park area of Frear Park
• Review and report on opportunities for the Acadia Storage Facility
• Upgrade the current tennis courts and include pickle ball courts
• Remove existing solar panels causing damage and repair the roof of the ice rink facility 
• Upgrade the current restaurant facility with structural improvements including but not limited to making access ADA compliant, larger kitchen and seating areas, added community gathering spaces.
• Provide better accessibility and ADA compliance to the ice rink, golf pro shop facility and restaurant. 
• Bring current facilities at Frear Park up to code and in compliance with health, safety and accessibility requirements. Currently there are numerous deficientness across the facilities.
• Repair and upgrades where needed, on the utilities that service the parks facilities 
• Repair or replace structural deficiencies such as but not limited to the facilities foundation, electrical, windows and roof. 

Frear Parks current amenities: 

• Scenic Trails 
• Historic Fountain and Pavilion 
• North Lake Avenue Park
• Acadia Building/Storage Facility 
• 18 Hole Golf Course
• Ice Rink Facility
• Restaurant Facility 
• Basketball Court
• Tennis Courts 
• Grilling Area
• Playground Area 
• Ponds and Streams

Mantello concluded, “The ARPA Steering Committee approved these projects, and the City Council will act this evening at a Special Meeting at 6:30 pm. I am hopeful to get unanimous support for the reappropriation of these important projects and continue working together to make our city safer, cleaner and more affordable.