Brookfield Power is to embark on a US$1.4M upgrade of its 100-year-old School Street hydroelectric plant, located on the Mohawk river in Cohoes, New York state, US.
Work on the 38MW project will consist of exterior building improvements, grounds maintenance and access road improvements, and will use materials and methods consistent with the facility’s historic surrondings. The plans were recently approved by the City of Cohoes Historic Preservation Commission, allowing portions of the enhancement work to commence immediately. Other aspects of the improvement project require state historic approval, and should be forthcoming. Once approval is received on the next phase, work will begin immediately.
The enhancements will facilitate additional work planned under Brookfield Power’s operating licence, which is pending with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The School Street enhancement plan includes:
- Exterior building improvements such as masonry repair, installation of new windows and exterior lights and painting.
- Grounds maintenance such as concrete resurfacing, removal of retired-in-place transmission equipment and overhead lines.
- Improvements to the facility’s access road off of the main throughfare, North Mohawk Street, and enhancement to Overlook Park, adjacent to the School Street facility, to significantly enhance the viewing opportunities of Cohoes Falls.