Schenectady, New York. Richard Eats and John Senisi of Synthesis Architects, during a “Little Italy” briefing for the county Industrial Development Agency last week, predicted the project will be one of the biggest downtown economic boosters to come along in years.

The County Legislature has appropriated $200,000 in seed money for design and other start-up costs targeted for the general area between downtown, City Hall and the College Park/Union College neighborhood.

Eats said initial construction, which is hoped to be started next year, will take place on North Jay Street, the longtime home of the landmark Perreca and Civitello bakeries.

Streetscape improvements envisioned include an ornamental gateway, new street lighting and various roadway and sidewalk improvements designed to slow down vehicular traffic to make the area pedestrian friendly.

“This project will link downtown to Union College, which currently has more than 2,000 students essentially cut off from connecting with the central business district,” Eats said. “The undertaking can’t get under way without an investment of funds from local government, but the payback in increased business sales taxes and taxes from new investors in property will be a great return,” Eats said.

Senisi said the project was part of a recent Synthesis presentation in Corning, New York, where the firm was hoping to be selected as consultants for the city’s new master plan project.” We landed the Corning contract, partially because officials said they loved the Little Italy concept. They want us to come up with something similar there,” Senisi said.