Here is my take.....NO CONDOS OR APTS PALLLEEEZZZEE!!! Now the sound of professional office buildings sound like a good choice for that area. You don't want people 'living' right next to a fire station who's sirien would scare the b-Jesus outta ya in the middle of the night. And if the choice was for professional office space, than perhaps a storage facility can be incorporated in BACK of these building. Clearly not in the public eye. THEY ARE UGGGAAALLLLYYY!
I don't know that it would scare them. It's not like the fire department is being put in afterward. The people that are moving in would most likely see it right there in front and be prepared. Gee, they wanted professional buildings over on the west side at Burdeck / Mariaville, why wouldn't here be as good a place? W
ell, if you look at the other argument that they gave, wouldn't the traffic be too much, as it would be with the new town hall there? And if the town hall WAS moved there (which isn't an option at this point), I think it would take care of a couple things. First of all, the room for the board meetings could be moved to the first floor, so people don't need to worry about getting upstairs, but not that it's a big deal. Hey, look at all the room you'd have for parking. Anybody remember the fun issues with parking every time there's something going on with the town (especially when we have championship teams coming to be recognized by the town board or there's always the Wal-Mart issues. If Wal-Mart were to move in, at least there'd be enough room for all the supporters and protestors to not only park, but to also voice their opinions.
I agree, if you want storage, move it to the back of the property, right back to near the Price Chopper Printhouse.
If a town hall was build there, than it really wouldn't be putting it back on the tax roll and I think that is the idea right now. Sell it, develop it and reap the bucks.
Actually...I like the location of the town hall right where it is. And to tell you the truth, it clearly does not look run down to me. In fact it looks to be in pretty darn good shape. And except for the Walmart protests, or the police commission fiasco, people don't even go to the meetings. And with the technology today, unless you had something to say at a meeting, you can watch it on TV or go to the town's website. Not to mention that all of the elected officials can be contacted through email or snail mail or in person if need be.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
If a town hall was build there, than it really wouldn't be putting it back on the tax roll and I think that is the idea right now. Sell it, develop it and reap the bucks.
Actually...I like the location of the town hall right where it is. And to tell you the truth, it clearly does not look run down to me. In fact it looks to be in pretty darn good shape. And except for the Walmart protests, or the police commission fiasco, people don't even go to the meetings. And with the technology today, unless you had something to say at a meeting, you can watch it on TV or go to the town's website. Not to mention that all of the elected officials can be contacted through email or snail mail or in person if need be.
I'll give you that. You can contact them by e-mail or whatever, but unless you get there for a face to face, you WILL NOT get an answer. I've never got an answer from many of the e-mails that I have sent.
That is because our town board must not be very computer savey!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
ROTTERDAM Town starting talks to sell plaza Shopping center eyed for condos BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Rotterdam officials took the fi rst step in negotiating a deal to sell the town-owned Curry Road Shopping Center to a group of developers proposing to build a condominium complex on the property. Town Board members approved a resolution to allow Supervisor Steve Tommasone to negotiate with Polito Homes and Columbia Development, who want to build 94 two-bedroom condominiums in the space now occupied by the largely defunct shopping plaza. Tommasone said the project will place a perennially vacant property back on the tax rolls once a deal is hammered out. “It’s going be a phenomenal project,” he said Thursday. Polito and Columbia plan to reserve some of the 1,400-square-foot condominium units for buyers over the age of 50. Each unit would include a garage and other “upscale amenities,” the company stated in a proposal submitted to the town in May. The proposed condominiums would be arranged in a circle at the rear of the property, buffering them from the traffic on Curry Road. Plans for a clubhouse facility and gazebo are also included in the project. The existing Trustco bank would be moved to face Curry Road and the print shop building would be moved off site, according to the proposal. Additionally, a 9,000-square-foot commercial building would be located in the front of the property to house a medical offi ce and a small retail space. About a quarter of an acre of the land would be subdivided and dedicated to the adjacent Fire District 2 property. The slice of property would allow the fire company to move forward with a planned renovation and reconfiguration of the station’s bay doors, which face Curry Road. The proposal lists the redevelopment as a $13 million investment in the town. The developers anticipate financing the project through the town’s Industrial Development Agency, a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the town and county, as well as Metroplex funding for Curry Road improvements and the relocation of Price Chopper’s print shop. In April, about 80 companies were sent information on the property and issues affecting any project there. Although six companies responded, only three pitched redevelopment plans, including the Polito and Columbia proposal. The property includes two buildings containing 68,000 square feet and 9,600 square feet of space. In the larger building, Price Chopper’s parent, the Golub Corp., still occupies about 7,700 square feet, which is used to house its print shop. About half of the smaller building is leased by Trustco Bank through 2011. Golub donated the land to Rotterdam in 2003. Initially the idea was to build a town government complex there, but that was deemed to be too expensive. Price Chopper spokeswoman Mona Golub said the proposal seems allowable under the deed restrictions the company placed on the property when it was donated to the town. She said the town and the developers would need to finance a relocation of the print shop, but the company is amenable to moving it. “We really encourage the development and practical use of that property for the good of the town,” she said. But Robert Godlewski, the only board member offering a dissenting vote, was dissatisfied with the project. He has long advocated for the town to use the land for a new municipal center, including a town hall, court and police station. “They didn’t take a hard look at the next 30 years and what shape these buildings are going to be in,” he said. Godlewski also said the board’s Republican majority never gave full consideration to any other idea outside of selling the land. He said they also didn’t consider the costs associated with moving both Golub’s print shop and Trustco. “They just didn’t care,” he said. “They had their minds made up [to sell the plaza] nine months ago.”
The developers anticipate financing the project through the town’s Industrial Development Agency, a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the town and county,
First off, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't the IDA in place for 'industrial' businesses and not for 'residential' developments? Industrial meaning, the development of a business to insure job growth and employment. Such as Railex or Golub. Like I said, I could be wrong, but that was the way I understood the IDA to work.
Then Robert no change Godlewski stated:
Quoted Text
“They didn’t take a hard look at the next 30 years and what shape these buildings are going to be in,” he said.
And what the heck was 'no change' doing for the years he was on the planning board? I don't think he ever invisioned this town 30 years from now. And now he is concerned about the municipal stuctures and what shape they will be in 30 years from now. Just a little to late there 'no show'.
Quoted Text
He said they also didn’t consider the costs associated with moving both Golub’s print shop and Trustco.
....and the answer to this is...
Quoted Text
Metroplex funding for Curry Road improvements and the relocation of Price Chopper’s print shop
If we rode on every idea or thought that Robert Godlewski stated, the Curry Rd Shopping Plaza along witht he rest of Rotterdam would stay in the shape it is currently in. Bob, I hate to tell ya, but the town, the people, the taxpayers, REALLY DO have to invenst SOMETHING into the revitalization of Rotterdam. What would this guy really do for Rotterdam if he was elected to the county legislature representing us? NOTHING!
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When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I wonder if Bob G worried have as much about what the buildings would look like when he was on the planning board. At least there will be something built on the land that will bring some taxes into the towns coffers. If Bob had his way the land would remain vacant like it is now and nothing would ever be built because we'd be looking into other options for the next 50 years.
“They didn’t take a hard look at the next 30 years and what shape these buildings are going to be in,” he said.
Funny thing about this quote...if you really think about it, he's only looking 10 years down the road with this commet...as we're only 75 days away from the day (essentially) that K-Mart closed it's doors in this mall 20 years ago... (Dang, that makes me feel old, I remember going shopping in that store.)
This really is something that the Rotterdam residents (and people all through the county) have to fight for right now. Especially the residents of Rotterdam. We need more businesses. Profitable business to buy and improve land to help to expand the tax base for the town and county taxes. Remember, some people are looking at a 200% tax increase thanks to the former Democratic party rule over town that brought us this reevaluation of property values. I know that myself, I'm seeing somewhere around a 50% value increase in my property, which then just depends on what the lax levy is and the values of everything else in town. I just hope for the values of everybody else's property to go up so mine isn't such a big cut of the pie.
I would like to personally thank John Mertz and the Economic Development Committee here in Rotterdam. Without that type of work, we wouldn't have companies like Railex in town. And the best part about Railex? Well, if you ask me, it's twofold. While I don't know specifically how many people are employed at the Rotterdam branch of Railex, at least it's development and reconstruction of property previously not used (or at least not to it's full potential).
And yes, I believe that the IDA should get involved in whatever they can to help the people of Rotterdam not pay so much. And if you bring some good jobs to town, you'll have less people that have to leave the town and county to go to work every day. I know it's not too far to Albany, but remember, with the people go their tax dollars. Have them spend their time (and money) here!
If the IDA doesn't want to do anything (although they seem to be doing something now), maybe they should be disbanded and we can just use the EDC.
My point exactly shadow. When did Robert 'no change' Godlewski start to worry about ANYTHING 30years from now? This is surely a new concept for him, huh?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The IDA does an excellent job with businesses. We must remember that the businesses go to THEM for their tax breaks. And the IDA has certain guidelines to follow. The IDA can only do their job when a business GOES TO THEM! And let's remember that the 'I' means INDUSTRIAL and the 'D' means DEVELOPMENT. Retail, such as Price Chopper supermarkets can not apply for IDA assistance. However, the Golub Corporation (warehouse) can.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I think that Rotterdam should have a 'sending off party' when the beast comes down. They should give out free hot dogs/hamburgers and soda for all of those who want to celebrate the long awaited demise of this beast that has become an embarassing historical land mark! (and in reality the golubs are to blame for that). If it was ever walmart, we'd be all over their asses! But we let the golubs slide! Actually, it should be the golubs who supply the hot dogs/hamburgers/soda. They were the ones sitting on this piece of property for decades. Surely they wouldn't have let this happen in Niskayuna now, would they? Surely if the golubs owned St. James plaza they would have NOT let it sit vacant for decades!!
Their business may be in Rotterdam, but their heart is in Nisky. Ya don't see any of them living in good old Rotterdam!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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