RESOLUTION NO. 343
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR HARRIET TUBMAN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NEW YORK SCENIC BYWAY NOMINATION AND CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN ADOPTION
Introduced: 9/14/26
By Cunningham:
WHEREAS, The historic qualities of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway, as described in the corridor management plan, and the surrounding areas have been appreciated and celebrated for over a century by the residents of New York State, as well as tourists, historians, artists, authors, and other visitors to the region; and it is this unique combination of the journeys of Harriet Tubman and those Freedom Seekers who traveled on the Underground Railroad that creates the special sense of place that is vital in the telling the New York story of the human desire for freedom and the historic sites they utilized during their journey to emancipation; and
WHEREAS, The Steering Committee of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway, composed of representatives of 22 municipalities along the proposed scenic byway route, is committed to working cooperatively to protect and promote the historic, scenic, recreational, and economic well-being of the 550-mile corridor throughout the state and agreed to pursue the nomination of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway Steering Committee, each of the 22 counties contributed to the development of this corridor management plan by encouraging public participation, confirming the vision and goals, and leading individual meetings of the collaborative; and
WHEREAS, The Steering Committee of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway, consisting of relatives of Harriet Tubman, descendants of Freedom Seekers, Harriet Tubman and/or Underground Railroad historians, and representatives from state and federal agencies, has strengthened the historic integrity, representation, and the principles of the corridor management plan; and
WHEREAS, In the process of developing the corridor management plan, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway Steering Committee has strengthened the bonds on inter-municipal cooperation, and the involved entities envision further benefit through scenic byway designation including sustained collaborative progress, increased funding opportunities for recommendation identified in the plan, enhanced partnerships with agencies responsible for the stewardship of resources along and adjacent to the byway route, and an improved visitor experience that interprets and promotes the corridor’s intrinsic qualities and resources, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the County of Albany supports the designation of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway which includes programs for stewardship and enhancement of the historic scenic byway and guidance to manage future activities along its corridor, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the County of Albany confirms it will not approve any requests for new off premise outdoor advertising signs along the designated Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway route, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the County of Albany will work in partnership with the other municipalities along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway and local and regional stakeholders in order to support future byway programs, economic development, marketing, and collaborate with these interested entities to explore opportunities for cooperation to realize Scenic Byway goals, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Albany County Legislature is directed to forward certified copies of this resolution to the appropriate County Officials.