A stake in stimulus Local governments ready to go with projects as soon as any federal funds materialize
By KENNETH C. CROWE II, Staff writer First published in print: Saturday, February 7, 2009
As the nation continues its plunge into an economic nightmare, local governments may find their rebuilding dreams fulfilled by federal stimulus plans.
Cities and counties are pulling together their proposed infrastructure improvements. ranging from fixing sewer lines and paving streets to erecting modern, multimillion dollar, green energy buildings and redeveloping shuttered factories, offices and homes. "These aren't pie in the sky wish lists,'' Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton said.
They are the shovel-ready projects that governments are prepared to move on except for one missing ingredient cash. Local officials are watching to see how much Congress decides to spend and sends to President Barack Obama for approval.
"In my view, the American Stimulus Act is comparable to a New Deal, a Work Projects Administration for 2010,'' Stratton said, recalling the federal government programs of the Great Depression.
Local cities' price tags are probably eye-popping to anyone outside the planning process: $340 million for Albany, $172.3 million for Schenectady and $100 million for Troy.
"We've been talking about these projects for years. We've done the planning,'' Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said.
Albany has just completed a book detailing its projects to be distributed to state and federal officials. At the top of the list is $240 million for the downtown convention center with another $130 million for work throughout the city. Included in that package is $20 million in Strategic Neighborhood Redevelopment Projects to rebuild blighted areas riddled with vacant and underused buildings.
"Cities are the cultural centers of our country. They've been neglected,'' Stratton said.
Rebuilding Schenectady means updating the windows in City Hall for the first time in 80 years and saving energy in the Colonial-style landmark for $2 million, repaving streets for $15 million and rebuilding the public works garage for $22 million. The city also envisions a $55 million Science Center of Tech Valley, a regional education resource that would, naturally, be green.
Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian said the federal aid can kick-start downtown redevelopment. A $22 million plan to build a new energy-smart City Hall along with a component of mixed-use buildings on the Hudson River would spark the revival that otherwise would take years to accomplish.
"We didn't want to be left behind. We have to apply,'' Tutunjian said about getting a share of the stimulus money.
While there is no one central repository for applications, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has been prodding its members for months to compile their lists of projects. A glimpse at the cities' efforts nationwide is online at USMayors.org/MainStreetEconomicRecovery.
The Capital Region's counties are looking at work on everything from sewer pumps and roads to polluted vacant industrial sites and government facilities to stoke economic development.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Art for art sake, pork for God's sake. Albany doesn't need another Convention Center. Schenectady doesn't need a Science Center. Great jobs creation, after construction 5 guides may be hired. Another brilliant plan to put us on the tourism map? Available "shovel ready" site at Gillen's Gulch on lower State St. where Ray promised a retail mecca.
The city also envisions a $55 million Science Center of Tech Valley, a regional education resource that would, naturally, be green.
Too bad we don't have any Science companes...or technological ones (for the most part) in the county. Gee, $55 million would cover the ambulance corps...at the full $14,000 they were asking for total for a length of what, 3928 months, or 327 years. Do we need a Science Center of TEch Valley or does Rotterdam need an ambulance (which, ironically, the funding of EITHER at the federal level is unconstitutional)?
"Cash means state jobs Agencies could be hiring hundreds when the federal stimulus money arrives"
what is going to happen when the stimulus money runs out. How are WE going to pay for all these new state jobs.....
You are so correct. It is just sooooo nys. There will be thousands of state jobs created. Jobs that we, the taxpayer will be paying for forever....AFTER the stimulus money runs out.
I thought the majority of the stimulus was to go to the private sector? I believe there was an 'oversight' department created to make sure the stimulus was being used as intended.
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
It looks to me like the city grabbed the lions share of the stimulus money and it will be interesting to see what's left if any for the towns in this county and what the towns will spend the money on.
The stimulus was for infrastructure which the towns, especially Rotterdam is in need of for future development.
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 question remains what the town will spend their share of the money on. The towns infrastructure is falling apart so I sure hope that something is done about it.
NYS----'make jobs' then tax the hell out of them to get the $$ back only to send it back up the river to some 'administrator of stimulus' hence leaving about 3cents on the dollar for infrastructure.......
ponzi??????? grease for the gears????? mismanagement????? greed????? or....who cares??????
WHERE IS THE STRAW FOR THE BRICKS? Our 'task masters' are just asking for a 'tea party'. could someone pull on that loose thread there in the corner of the flag....it will come unraveled sooner or later,,,,might as well take care of it now....the patching and mending are wearing thin.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
SCHENECTADY — The executive director of the city's housing authority says the $2.1 million the agency is slated to receive as part of federal money to revive the economy will be put to good use and help get the agency back on track.
''We have projects ready to go, and will waste no time funneling the dollars into our economy,'' said Richard Homenick in a recent statement about the windfall expected to arrive next week. ''We will use the dollars quickly, responsibly and properly to stimulate the local economy through the construction industry, as we preserve affordable rental housing for our city's neediest people.''
The housing authority said the money couldn't have come at a better time because it has a backlog of projects totaling $11.7 million.
The federal funds will be distributed through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The executive director said the federal money will be a boost for local businesses in the construction industry.
Some of the places that will see improvements are Steinmetz Homes, Ten Eyck, and MacGathan townhouses and Yates Village, which will see improvements to garages, bathrooms, parking lots and exterior lighting.
Logged
Art for art sake, pork for God's sake. Albany doesn't need another Convention Center. Schenectady doesn't need a Science Center. Great jobs creation, after construction 5 guides may be hired. Another brilliant plan to put us on the tourism map? Available "shovel ready" site at Gillen's Gulch on lower State St. where Ray promised a retail mecca. 
