While most Schenectady residents would like to see the diner saved and reused in some fashion, ...
Does the author of the editorial have any evidence to support his assertion? I suspect not. Does the absence of a by-line indicate that the letter was written by the Daily Gazette Editor or that the author is a political partisan?
SCHENECTADY Work to tell if diner can have a new life Planks buttress Erie Blvd. eyesore BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Workers had to shore up the Silver Diner to make it safe enough to go inside this week, a fact that may bode ill for its future. The forlorn eyesore on Erie Boulevard’s west side near State Street is now buttressed with planks. But Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen said it’s too early to say whether the Depression-era diner has been damaged beyond reasonable repair during its years of neglect. The agency is paying Scotia-based company Prize Construction Inc. $3,000 to analyze the structure and report back. “To do the report they had to brace some things so they could get in there,” Gillen said. “Safety is the first priority. It’s too early to say what that means.” He expects to receive the report in about a month. Prize Construction President Ed Zemeck was eager to get into the diner and was happily surprised to discover cups, canisters of sugar and other materials still sitting on the tables. He had another worker snap a photograph of him in his miner’s cap, pretending to sip a cup of coffee. The caption reads, “Silver Diner welcomes first customer of 21st century!” Above him, pieces of the ceiling are hanging down, showing the damage caused by the leaky roof that has gone unrepaired for years. Zemeck has wanted to renovate the diner since 2004, when he was the only person to submit a proposal to buy it. Prize Construction specializes in historic renovation with almost 20 years of experience. It recently worked on the Proctors project as well as the renovation of the Rose Garden in Central Park. But in 2004, the company wasn’t able to fix the Silver Diner. The city decided not to sell it. Zemeck had proposed to buy the diner for $1, renovate it and have a nonprofit agency run the restaurant with employees who are in the later stages of drug and alcohol recovery. The idea was that they could learn job skills. At the time, city officials said the diner needed more than $20,000 worth of interior work. It’s not clear how much it would cost to renovate the diner now, but Metroplex is willing to offer Prize Construction a $75,000 loan for the work if the diner is salvageable. It is considered one of the few remaining converted railroad car diners in the United States, according to the American Diner Museum in Rhode Island. The diner opened for business in 1936. Zemeck is planning to apply for National Historic Register designation as well to get tax credits in support of the renovation. But it may be too late. Prize Construction will identify asbestos and other environmental issues that need to be addressed. The report will include cost estimates. If the diner can’t be saved, Gillen wants permission from the city to move it into storage or donate it to the American Diner Museum. PETER R. BARBER/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER The Silver Diner on Erie Boulevard in Schenectady is reinforced by wooden braces while buildings are demolished behind it on Tuesday
As a lifelong Democrat, I am writing in response to the Oct. 16 letter written by Marc Ganz, the Republican praising the Schenectady Democrats’ leadership. He states that he sees a remarkable surge in economic development in the downtown area. Does he think that this surge is happening just because Democrats are in control? Who does he think laid the groundwork for all of this to occur? It happened during the Republican administration of Al Jurczynski, and it happened in spite of the obstructionism of the City Council. I’ve been on Al’s Web site looking back at the “Seeds of Change” that were planted during his tenure as mayor. Rest assured, had it not been for his relationship with former Gov. Pataki, and everything that they accomplished working with [Price Chopper President and CEO] Neil Golub, [former president of Union College] Roger Hull and Schenectady 2000, none of this remarkable surge in downtown development would be happening today. MARK GRANT Schenectady
SCHENECTADY COUNTY Metroplex candidates give views Downtown revitalization backed by most BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Four candidates for appointment to the Metroplex Development Authority’s board discussed their qualifications at Wednesday night’s committee meeting of the Schenectady County Legislature. The Legislature took no action. The candidates are currently serving members Sharon Jordan, Robert Wall and Kenneth Bulko, along with Patrick Saccocio, Rotterdam’s replacement for Arthur Brassard. Brassard resigned from the board after his appointment earlier this year as Republican elections commissioner for the county. The first three candidates said they support Metroplex’s current efforts to revitalize the city’s downtown and future efforts to redevelop lower State Street between Erie Boulevard and Schenectady County Community College. Saccocio said he supports Metroplex’s existing priorities but would also like to see Metroplex help Rotterdam develop its infrastructure for economic development. Jordan, who is Mayor Brian U. Stratton’s appointment to the board and serves as his director of operations, said she wants to see efforts continue on revitalizing downtown. “As goes the county, so goes the city, and as goes the city, so goes the county,” Jordan said. “The first priority is to stabilize downtown.” She said she would also like to see Metroplex continue efforts to work with the county and the city to share resources to expand the city’s tax base. Wall, the appointment of the supervisors of both Duanesburg and Princetown, said he, too, supports Metroplex’s downtown revitalization efforts. “For without the city, we are nothing,” he said. “It’s important for the people of the towns to support the city.” Wall, who came to Schenectady County in the 1950s to work for General Electric “when it employed 40,000 people,” said he is proud of downtown’s transformation over the last seven years. “I witnessed the slow decay of the city. It’s almost miraculous over what has happened from a few years ago,” he said. He currently operates a consulting business. Bulko, who is Niskayuna’s representative on the board and an attorney, said his priorities are those of Metroplex chairman Ray Gillen’s, “to develop lower State Street, to make sure the towns get their fair share and to expand Metroplex’s bonding capacity, so we can do big projects.” Saccocio, an attorney, said he believes Metroplex can devote equal efforts to revitalizing downtown and Rotterdam. “There is no reason why the train can’t be on both tracks,” he said. He would like to see Metroplex assist the town to develop the Route 7 and Hamburg Street commercial corridors through installation of sewer lines and municipal water. “We need to get infrastructure out there quickly,” he said of the Route 7 corridor, especially near Thruway Exit 25A. The area requires shovel-ready sites to attract businesses, he said. Saccocio said he would be an “advocate in the best interests of all the residents of Schenectady County.” The Legislature set no date as to when it will approve the candidates. The terms of office have already expired for Jordan, Wall and Bulko, who are serving as holdovers. Under Metroplex’s statute, town supervisors for Rotterdam, Niskayuna and Glenville and the supervisors in Princetown and Duanesburg (who work jointly on their recommendation), as well as the mayor and City Council are eligible to each recommend a nominee to Metroplex’s 11-member board. The county Legislature appoints the remaining members and must approve by majority all recommendations. In other business, legislators discussed a proposal directing the county clerk to not issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. They will vote on the proposal Tuesday night. The measure directs County Clerk John Woodward to follow state and federal laws by requiring applicants to provide a valid Social Security number. If approved by the Legislature, Woodward would be instructed to disregard Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s recent directive to the contrary. Minority Republicans are sponsoring the resolution. During debate, several Democrats said they support the measure, but it is unclear how many will vote for it next week. Several Democrats said the county should not tell the county clerk what to do, as he is an elected official. They also said the Legislature should not take action as the issue is in litigation. Republicans insisted Spitzer’s directive is unlawful and that their measure only requires that the county clerk follow the law.
Funny how not a one of them said they would like to desolve the metroplex and give the people back their tax dollars instead of taking it and investing in private businesses that clearly go under. They are all trying to push their way to the front of the line waiting for the government handouts!
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
True BK, but I don't hear anyone putting a 'desolve' date for the metroplex. It clearly can not go on indefinately! And like I said before, it is just a government hand out program that both dems and reps are vying for, so THEY can control the 'taxpayers' dollar!
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 believe that there should be a date upon which the Metroplex Development Authority is dissolved and the county sales tax should be decreased. Until such time, the mission of Metroplex should be refocused to finance the development, maintenance and enhancement of infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges, rail lines, sewers, public water, high speed internet connectivity, etc.) and the creation of shovel ready sites. Infrastructure, low costs of operations (taxes, utilities), and a skilled and educated workforce is what attracts businesses that offer high paying career jobs to an area.
Public money should not be given in the form of financial grants to private business owners. This redistribution of wealth from private citizens to private businesses is not the role of government. True Entrepreneurs don't look to the government for handouts.
As a county resident who supports businesses that operate in Schenectady County, I have paid sales taxes that finance the Metroplex Development Authority. I have issue with the $0.5M+ annual cost of compensation for the staff of 5. (see "Metroplex Team" at http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org/ ). I also have questions about where the tax revenues are being spent and the seeming lack of accountability and transparency.
I am considering contacting officials to request that an audit be performed and the results be made public so that the taxpayers have some insight to the balance of revenues versus expenditures and understanding of where this large sum of money is being invested.
I am considering contacting officials to request that an audit be performed and the results be made public so that the taxpayers have some insight to the balance of revenues versus expenditures and understanding of where this large sum of money is being invested.
Contact New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. He is clearly the man for the job...or should be! Excellent idea!!!!!!!
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
Called the NYS Attorney General's office today to request information pertaining to any recent audits of the Metroplex Development Authority. Was directed to New York State Comptroller's Office of Local Government Services & School Accountability. I am awaiting information pertaining to what documents are available to be FOILed. If no recent audit has been performed, I am requesting that an audit be conducted. When I receive documents, I will make available to those who are interested. I make no accusations of fraud or wrong doing. I would like, however, to gain a better appreciation for the annual revenues vs. expenditures, the cost of operations (e.g., administration), and the amount of "bad" loans written off. Insight into the application process and criteria for award of funding will also be requested.
I wonder if you can request all the denied applications and the reasons why they were denied??? That type of investigative reporting used to be done by the journalist of our local newspapers. Now, we the people have to work our full time jobs, as well keep our government in check. That's what the freedom of the press was supposed to do. Our local press doesn't report anything that may shine a bad light on the beloved Metroplex. Our local news outlets are bought and payed for by the politicians and corporations that benefit from it.
In other business before the City Council Monday, Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen asked that the city give up ownership of the “front porch” at Center City. The popular gathering area, which is often used as a performance stage during festivals, was rebuilt by Metroplex in 2004 for $1.1 million. The idea was to create a new entrance to the retail-heavy Jay Street pedestrian walkway. The new look included a fountain and stairs where workers often gather for lunch. But mentally ill and homeless loiterers often sit there too and sometimes get into fights, discouraging customers from venturing onto Jay Street. It’s a problem that Galesi Group could more easily handle if it owned the front porch as well as the building itself, Mayor Brian U. Stratton said. Galesi Group is negotiating with Metroplex to buy Center City. But it won’t buy the building unless it can also buy the front porch, Gillen said. “You can’t have a building where the owner doesn’t have control of the front door and front steps,” he said. Galesi Group might change the area, Gillen added, saying that several prospective tenants have complained about the entrance. Plans would have to be approved by the city. The council will hold a public hearing on whether to pass ownership of the porch area to the city’s Industrial Development Agency, which owns roughly half of the Center City building. The Lupe family owns the other half. The owners are set to jointly sell their property to Galesi Group for an asyet-unannounced sum.
I'll inquire if these records are available to obtain by FOIL request. I hope to compose my request this weekend and submit it by USPS Registered Mail early next week.
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