explains. Cole adds a fourth dimension: quality of life. “We need to develop parks, bike paths, trails, waterfront development, and future investments in services that people enjoy,” he says. “We’re really trying to make Plattsburgh a healthy place.” Infrastructure planning targets specific neighborhoods where housing development potential exists but requires utility upgrades. The recent completion of a new water supply system positions the town for expansion. Meanwhile, workforce development initiatives address employer needs. CV Tech’s new $40 million, 150,000-square-foot workforce center at the former county airport illustrates public-private collaboration yielding immediate results. Cole finds particular satisfaction in seeing plans become reality. “The most rewarding part is taking time to develop plans with the community, putting them into work, and then seeing outcomes actually happen in my lifetime,” he reflects.“Watching projects being developed and used by people of all abilities, seeing housing built where we thought it would be most useful, that full arc from concept to completion is very rewarding.” 61 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 PLATTSBURGH, NY
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx