workforce and generating over $2 billion in direct economic impact annually. “We’re very proud to be what we often refer to as Montreal’s U.S. suburb,” Cashman notes. “We have an intertwined crossborder relationship that not only builds the economy but brings an infusion of culture as well.” Senior Planner Trevor Cole emphasizes the town’s strategic advantages beyond its proximity to Canada. “Being on the seventh or eighth largest freshwater lake in the country, it’s a tourist destination and the reason why people live here in the first place,” he explains. Lake Champlain’s world-class bass fishing tournaments draw competitors from around the globe, while the region’s Revolutionary War and War of 1812 history, including the decisive Battle of Plattsburgh, adds cultural depth to its natural assets. BUILDING A HUMAN-SCALE TOWN CENTER Plattsburgh’s transformation is multifaceted. The town has embraced a comprehensive smart growth strategy that prioritizes walkability, mixed-use development, and human-scale design. “The town has focused heavily on smart growth in its town center, especially in the last five years,” explains Cole. “We’re enhancing livability, walkability, and bike safety, becoming much more human-oriented, not just in the town center but also with access to the waterfront.” The approach points to a fundamental shift in how the community views development. Rather than sprawling outward, Plattsburgh concentrates growth where infrastructure already exists. “We’ve really taken a strong approach to each new development, focusing on how people interface with it and the equity of users,” Cole continues. “We’re mixing uses, including putting residential, retail, healthcare, and services all in proximity so someone can live a full and meaningful life within a short distance.” Results are already visible. The town reviewed approximately 1.4 million square feet of development last year, valued at $54.5 million. New zoning regulations require sidewalks and encourage pedestrian-friendly design. The 2,000-acre town center hosts over 320 businesses and 5,000 jobs, processing 36,000 vehicle trips daily while working to reduce car dependency. “Our focus has been looking inward and saying, how can we make this great for us so that we enjoy it so much that other people want to visit and come here as well,” Cole explains. The town received New York State’s Pro-Housing Community designation, unlocking access to $650 million in discretionary state funding for communities that demonstrate commitment to increasing housing supply and improving quality of life. WATERFRONT RENAISSANCE For decades, Plattsburgh turned its back on 26 miles of pristine waterfront along Lake Champlain and the 51 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 PLATTSBURGH, NY
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