Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

-- quite frankly living off-campus really separates those students from campus life.

  

Yep, keep them in the "campus prison" all four years of college.   They must not learn to live outside of the campus life, they must not learn how to live among homeowners and other people.   They must not learn how to be good neighbors.   Just keep them on the campus where they can party to their hearts content and then what will they expect the day after graduation when suddenly, they need to learn how to read parking signs, read signs about snow plowing/removal, they have to learn they aren't living in animal house anymore.   Living on campus does not teach them how to live with rules of being a good neighbor.  On campus they have no responsibility for trash removal, no responsibility for mowing a lawn, no responsibility for shoveling snow, no responsibility for raking, no responsibility for keeping the boom boxes turned to low volume.  On campus they do not learn what it means to live in a residential neighborhood.  

Quoted from Jaystreet

Schenectady would be worse off without Union and even SCCC in it. Schools don't pay taxes, and neither do churches. ... Frankly, some of these mega churches SHOULD pay taxes, their pastors riding around in a Range Rover.

Churches provide for the poor (food pantries, various charity stuff, etc).  SCCC and Union do not pay taxes so do not help the tax base.   I have yet to hear where SCCC put on a Thanksgiving dinner for the poor in the city, even after city and county residents pay the taxes and pay for the untaxed dorms, when police are needed, we taxpayers pay for the services of the police.   If there was a fire at SCCC and a building had to be redone, it would come from our tax dollars (if not outright than in the form of higher taxes to pay for higher insurance premiums).   Taxpayers are not footing the build to repair St Anthony's church.  Though if Union College had a fire they'd have their own insurance I'm sure.  

Quoted from bumblethru

I can't believe that folks are actually bashing a UNION COLLEGE EXPANSION!!!! WOW!!!

Look, I think most are in agreement how the taxpayers are getting screwed by the 'downtown tax exempt businesses', by the pension padding police dept, fire dept, school system and all of the 'created' patronage tax paid jobs.........BUT....BUT.....UNION COLLEGE????

Get a grip here folks!!!!

How is Union expanding?    Maybe I missed it but are they planning on increasing the number of students?

Now, building these new dorms, what will that do to the tax base of the city?

Actually, with students living on campus, there will be more vacant residential units in the city, so many houses built as two family houses and landlords will not have any tenants because rents are so high because the taxes are so high   So moving students onto campus means more vacant houses (houses that are two family houses and were built as two family) and vacant house bring down the property values which in turns brings down the tax base in the city which in turn causes taxes to rise.

And all these houses around Union College that were built 100 +/- years ago, built as 2 family houses and today are still 2 family houses, the owners of these house have no money to convert the two family houses into 1 family houses (which they were never intended to be) because they are paying for new buildings for downtown millionaire political cronies of the city's leades and then paying for downtowns taxes too, so no money left over, and a tax exempt school takes money away from homeowners.

While it's true some 2 family houses were made into 3 or 4 family, overall it's few.   But of course, it would be nice if the person who make the claim that oh so many houses were converted could provide the numbers as to how many houses were done like that AND provide EVIDENCE  (remember DV NEVER provides evidence).

It would be nice if todays owners of some of those houses that were converted by previous owners decades ago could convert them back, but because they pay the taxes for downtown, AND pay the taxes for Union College while losing the income from college students, the owners have no money to do convert them back

Quoted from Jaystreet

Schenectady would be worse off without Union and even SCCC in it. Schools don't pay taxes, and neither do churches. ... Frankly, some of these mega churches SHOULD pay taxes, their pastors riding around in a Range Rover.

Public schools should be exempt.

Private schools should not.

The "north end" of Schenectady seems like a prime target for economic development right now.  Between the Mohawk Harbor project and Union's proposal to build another dorm in College Park, things are really looking up for that area.

Quoted from bumblethru

I can't believe that folks are actually bashing a UNION COLLEGE EXPANSION!!!! WOW!!!

Look, I think most are in agreement how the taxpayers are getting screwed by the 'downtown tax exempt businesses', by the pension padding police dept, fire dept, school system and all of the 'created' patronage tax paid jobs.........BUT....BUT.....UNION COLLEGE????

Get a grip here folks!!!!

You are also missing my point.  If Union all of a sudden increased its off campus releases by 200 it would immediately fill over 100 vacant apartments in the neighborhoods surrounding Union.  It would increase landlord investments in these units.  It would mean more spending in the restaurants and supermarkets and gas stations.  It would mean the potential of the students graduating and becoming Schenectady landlords or business owners.  Instead Union College is going to lock down be 100% self sufficient and isolated.  You think this will lead to increased student voluntarism?  Well rounded graduates?  Increases partnering with Schenectady? I don't think I could name another college that has 100% on campus student living?  This is a bad move for Union College and unfortunate for Schenectady.  

Quoted from mikechristine1

Yep, keep them in the "campus prison" all four years of college.   They must not learn to live outside of the campus life, they must not learn how to live among homeowners and other people.   They must not learn how to be good neighbors.   Just keep them on the campus where they can party to their hearts content and then what will they expect the day after graduation when suddenly, they need to learn how to read parking signs, read signs about snow plowing/removal, they have to learn they aren't living in animal house anymore.   Living on campus does not teach them how to live with rules of being a good neighbor.  On campus they have no responsibility for trash removal, no responsibility for mowing a lawn, no responsibility for shoveling snow, no responsibility for raking, no responsibility for keeping the boom boxes turned to low volume.  On campus they do not learn what it means to live in a residential neighborhood.  

You hit the nail on the head.DV has and still is "living on campus".  Did he actually go to college?

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The "north end" of Schenectady seems like a prime target for economic development right now.  Between the Mohawk Harbor project and Union's proposal to build another dorm in College Park, things are really looking up for that area.

And please state what projects are doing to the tax base in the city

Can you answer that AND provide EVIDENCE???

Can you state what keeping students on campus and away from spending money in the city will do for sales tax?

Can you state what keeping students on campus will do for the property owners who will lose income will do for the city?   Can you tell us what property owners having vacant properties will do for the city?

Can you tell us what the 100% PERMANENT tax exemption from property and school taxes at the Galesi Alco property will do for the city?


Ah of course, speechless, the cat got DV's tongue again because he NEVER NEVER NEVER states what all these projects are doing to the city's tax base.

More spewing nonsense babble without ONE TEENY WEENY shred of EVIDENCE of how it is helping the city or neighborhood

Quoted from TakingItBack

You hit the nail on the head.DV has and still is "living on campus".  Did he actually go to college?

The above is more proof that certain people on this board have no intention and, apparently, no ability to engage in intelligent, civilized discussion of topics/issues.  They get their kicks making ignorant comments and personal attacks.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The above is more proof that certain people on this board have no intention and, apparently, no ability to engage in intelligent, civilized discussion of topics/issues.  They get their kicks making ignorant comments and personal attacks.

Intelligent, civilized discussion:

Let's discuss the results of the past ten years of the city dems spending the taxpayers' on downtown, giving the taxpayers' money to the millionaires and billionaires downtown who have more than enough money to build their own buildings but the taxpayers have no money to repair their own houses when the city orders them to do things.

Let's discuss what has happened to the city's tax base resulting from the city/county/plex dems taking money from the homeowners.  

DV, you claim there is all this economic development, but can you explain the resulting reduction in sales tax revenue?

DV YOU are the one who CLAIMS to want intelligent civilized discussion.  I am willing to discuss the impact of downtown on the city's tax base, are you willing to discuss that?   I am willing to discuss the impact of downtown on peoples home values, ar e you willing to discuss that?   Are you willing to engage in discussion about what return on investment the homeowners in the city have gotten in exchange for their taxes being hiked so high?  

I know others will discuss this with me in an intelligent manner, can you do that?

Between the Mohawk Harbor project, the proposal involving the former DSS site and Union's proposal to build another dorm in College Park, things are really looking up for that area.  It is a FACT that there are at least 3 projects on the table for the "north end" of the city.  That is why I made the statement: The "north end" of Schenectady seems like a prime target for economic development right now.  I am looking at the current situation and the proposals for the future --- not interested in rehashing "the same old sh*t" from the past.  

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Between the Mohawk Harbor project, the proposal involving the former DSS site and Union's proposal to build another dorm in College Park, things are really looking up for that area.  It is a FACT that there are at least 3 projects on the table for the "north end" of the city.  That is why I made the statement: The "north end" of Schenectady seems like a prime target for economic development right now.  I am looking at the current situation and the proposals for the future --- not interested in rehashing "the same old sh*t" from the past.  

Downtown had projects too.   What has happened to the taxbase of the city??????    Why don't you address that?

Since the city/county/plex dems have taken taxes from the homeowners, what have the homeowners gotten in return.


All you do is "announce projects."    How about stating what all these taxpayer funded projects have done to the sale taxes revenue in the county.   What have all these taxpayer funded projects done to the tax base of the city.  What have all these taxpayer funded projects done to home values in the city?   What have all these taxpayer funded projects done to the ability of people to sell their homes?   What have all these taxpayer funded projects done to the equity people have in their homes?

Can you engage in discussion on the results of all these taxpayer funded projects and then the homeowners having to pay for the taxes of the millioniares who own these properties?

BIG IMPACT
Union worth $274M to region
Universities group computes economic impact
Monday, November 26, 2012
By Michael Goot
Gazette Reporter  


SCHENECTADY — Union College has about a quarter-billion-dollar economic impact on the Capital Region, according to a report by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.

The college employs 870 people and its payroll is $48 million, which makes it among the region’s largest employers and it is also a major purchaser of goods and services and construction and service contracts.

The economic analysis was done by the Center for Governmental Research at the request of CICU, which is an advocacy group for more than 100 independent colleges and universities in New York state.

It found that direct spending by Union in 2011 was $114.3 million; construction spending was $9.5 million; labor compensation was $106.5 million; and there was $19.6 million in spending by the 2,200 students and visitors to the college. Adding in tax revenue and factoring in spin-off economic benefits, the report concluded that the college had a $274 million effect on the economy.

Union’s economic impact of $274 million is part of the $63.2 billion the 100-plus independent colleges and universities in New York state contributed to the state’s economy in 2011, according to CGR’s analysis.

In the Capital Region, that impact was $3.7 billion, which includes $2.9 billion in direct spending by colleges and universities; $300.5 million in student and visitor spending; and $516.2 million in impact from academic medical centers. Colleges and universities in the Capital Region employ about 23,000 people.

Spokesman Phil Wajda said college officials were not surprised by the findings and noted that the Capital District Regional Planning Commission did an economic impact study five years ago and came up with similar figures.

“I think it just reaffirms the commitment the college has — not only to the city but the region as a whole. We take that tradition very seriously,” he said.

As a nonprofit, the college pays no property taxes, which has been a source of contention with the city. However, college officials point out that they have partnered with the city on a number of initiatives such as renovating a baseball field in Central Park, installing public surveillance cameras to help deter crime in the surrounding neighborhood and making improvements to crosswalks and sidewalks on the perimeter of the campus.

In addition, nearly 1,200 students spend more than 12,000 hours on community service projects each year, according to a college press release. This includes reading to children at the Kenney Community Center tutored and read to local children, serving as a Big Brother or Big Sister and participating in the state Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program (VITA), which has obtained more than $2 million in tax refunds for local residents since its launch in 2005.

“As one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, we are proud to call the city of Schenectady and the greater Capital Region home,” said college President Stephen C. Ainlay in a statement. “For more than 200 years, Union has tried to be mindful of its responsibility as a good neighbor and we are always looking at practical and innovative ways to enhance the economic, social and cultural environment of our local community.”

So where is all that money going?

How much property and school taxes does the president of the college pay in Schenectady.   Oh, he does NOT pay any because he does NOT own a house IN the city

can you list employees and their addresses in the city?  


Almost $300 million dollars, then tell us why the sales tax revenue of the Schenectady county is repeatedly is going DOWN while in all the other counties, in fact almost all in the whole state of NY, the sales tax revenue increasing?

So tell us why the home values are falling in the city?   Why are so many landlords losing money?


I'm not against the college but it does NOT pay taxes and the people of the city clearly are NOT benefiting from the college

And remember the tons of very extravagant lavish expensive houses (that provided tons of property and school tax revenue) that the college took off the tax rolls, thus causing a reduction in the city's tax base.

And look at all those properties on Seward Place and that area -- those properties that paid taxes, generate tax revenue for the city, the county and the school district.   The college took TAXPAYING properties and made them into NON-TAXPAYING properties (just like the city does for it's rich cronies downtown)

So tell us how the TAXPAYERS of the city are benefitting, what are they getting in return for paying the taxes of all those properties that Union College removed from the tax rolls?


Sure the employees pay taxes, e.g. federal taxes but remember, the taxes are used to provide financial aid to many of the students

And how about providing some EVIDENCE on where the students go after graduation.   Where are they getting jobs.   Are they buying houses IN the city?   Share with us a handsome list of students who have bought houses IN the city.

The FACTS speak for themselves.   Union has a tremendous positive influence on our community.
No further need for discussion.

BIG IMPACT
Union worth $274M to region
Universities group computes economic impact
Monday, November 26, 2012
By Michael Goot
Gazette Reporter  


SCHENECTADY — Union College has about a quarter-billion-dollar economic impact on the Capital Region, according to a report by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.

The college employs 870 people and its payroll is $48 million, which makes it among the region’s largest employers and it is also a major purchaser of goods and services and construction and service contracts.

The economic analysis was done by the Center for Governmental Research at the request of CICU, which is an advocacy group for more than 100 independent colleges and universities in New York state.

It found that direct spending by Union in 2011 was $114.3 million; construction spending was $9.5 million; labor compensation was $106.5 million; and there was $19.6 million in spending by the 2,200 students and visitors to the college. Adding in tax revenue and factoring in spin-off economic benefits, the report concluded that the college had a $274 million effect on the economy.

Union’s economic impact of $274 million is part of the $63.2 billion the 100-plus independent colleges and universities in New York state contributed to the state’s economy in 2011, according to CGR’s analysis.

In the Capital Region, that impact was $3.7 billion, which includes $2.9 billion in direct spending by colleges and universities; $300.5 million in student and visitor spending; and $516.2 million in impact from academic medical centers. Colleges and universities in the Capital Region employ about 23,000 people.

Spokesman Phil Wajda said college officials were not surprised by the findings and noted that the Capital District Regional Planning Commission did an economic impact study five years ago and came up with similar figures.

“I think it just reaffirms the commitment the college has — not only to the city but the region as a whole. We take that tradition very seriously,” he said.

As a nonprofit, the college pays no property taxes, which has been a source of contention with the city. However, college officials point out that they have partnered with the city on a number of initiatives such as renovating a baseball field in Central Park, installing public surveillance cameras to help deter crime in the surrounding neighborhood and making improvements to crosswalks and sidewalks on the perimeter of the campus.

In addition, nearly 1,200 students spend more than 12,000 hours on community service projects each year, according to a college press release. This includes reading to children at the Kenney Community Center tutored and read to local children, serving as a Big Brother or Big Sister and participating in the state Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program (VITA), which has obtained more than $2 million in tax refunds for local residents since its launch in 2005.

“As one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, we are proud to call the city of Schenectady and the greater Capital Region home,” said college President Stephen C. Ainlay in a statement. “For more than 200 years, Union has tried to be mindful of its responsibility as a good neighbor and we are always looking at practical and innovative ways to enhance the economic, social and cultural environment of our local community.”