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leggs9966
July 21, 2018, 1:59am Report to Moderator
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  Not sure if and how this could effect my case. Because I am not educated on the Law that well at all.
Also, I now believe the land that was taken. Was actually taken through an Abandonment trial for 1127 Barrett st.
And the vacant lots at 106,108,110,112 Seminary Place and 1162 Barrett st. were taken through Eminent Domain.
The land was not actually taken for non-payment of taxes as The Daily Gazette has most recently reported.
I'm also not sure if the latest stories in The Daily Gazette might be considered Fake News, because of previously reported stories by the Gazette stating that the vacant lots were taken by Eminent Domain?
Even though, I still feel that my Rights were clearly violated by the city by singling me out and ordering my tax payments sent back from the tax lien company.  

Also, I don't know if this latest story on Glen Brownell could have any bearing on my case?

https://dailygazette.com/article/2018/07/19/court-suspends-schenectady-attorney

Court suspends Schenectady attorney
The court suspended him for 90 days
Steven Cook @ByStevenCook
| July 19, 2018
1
Court suspends Schenectady attorney
Glen Brownell, right in the lighter suit, appearing with a client in court in October
Photographer: Steven Cook

SCHENECTADY - A Schenectady attorney has been suspended after allegations he failed to work on a client's case, according to a ruling released Thursday.

Glen W. Brownell was suspended for a total of 90 days Thursday by the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court after finding that he essentially admitted to the charges when he failed to respond to a motion in the discipline case.

He was accused in November of professional misconduct related to a client who sought legal work. The allegations centered around Brownell accepting money from the client, but then failing to promptly respond to the client, provide the services and failed to file a proper legal response in the case.

The court then relied on past responses by Brownell that set out mitigating factors, as well as his disciplinary history that includes five letters of admonition and a letter of caution before arriving at the 90-day suspension term.

Brownell has practices law since 1985 and has taken some notable local cases.

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leggs9966
August 13, 2018, 1:55am Report to Moderator
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What I found amazing about this whole experience. Is that the wealthy, along with a wealthy institution. Can get together with a local city government to steal land in a wanted location.

By ordering taxes that were paid in full on certain parcels (Seminary Place) to be sent back after being accepted.

(Make lies, like it was ordered sent back because he was not the owner and payments were not allowed.)

Divert the attention from that. By having an abandonment trial on one parcel after that. Then, followed with more threats from their attorneys. "Well do I want to sell the vacant lots now?" "Then we will just go through the city and take them too!" Followed by a bogus Eminent Domain. In which the vacant land that was mowed was called Blight. Again, all this that originally started before the ordering of the taxes being sent back. With, "Do I want to sell my Uncle's and Mother's land?

Yet, with the powers involved. No one would stand up to them.

Yet, some can risk their lives to defend this Great Country, Laws and Constitution of Ours!

The Evidence is Strong and as Clear as day. The lawyers and city officials involved, All know I speak the truth.

This is not about my Family or me as much as it is for, What this Country is supposed to Stand for. And if You have to ask? Or, I need to explain? Then that is sad, really sad.

I've seen this cover up being publicly done. By the government along with the local news.

As high as the owner of one of the local news organizations being an investor.

Did I mind losing everything to stand up for what I believe in? Not, really. Do I regret how my family might have suffered from this wrongdoing. Absolutely..

To those that have smiled or laughed at me. I don't know if they realize that maybe not their Rights were directly trampled on. But, possibly the Rights of future generations could suffer from this. Seeing on what was done and how it can be gotten away with.

Will I continue to fight to have my case heard in court? Until I die!


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leggs9966
September 4, 2018, 3:42pm Report to Moderator
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https://dailygazette.com/artic.....t#art481008-comments


Construction work begins on $3.5M Barrett Street project
The homes are slated to be up for sale in first quarter of 2019
Andrew Beam
@beam_gazette
| September 3, 2018
2
Construction work begins on $3.5M Barrett Street project
The foundation for new housing on Barrett Street in Schenectady is pictured on Aug. 23.
Photographer: Peter R. Barber

SCHENECTADY -- Construction of six townhouse-style homes that are part of the $3.5 million Barrett Street housing project has begun.

John Roth, CEO of Plank Construction Services, a partner in the project, said work began on the foundation system two weeks ago, after building permits were secured from the city.

Roth said work to waterproof the exterior of the basement is next, before crews will move on to back-filling to bring the ground up around the basement.

“We want to get to the point where we can get everything backfilled, compacted and graded off in order to allow us to start framing the homes,” Roth said.

The housing project, known as Live-In Schenectady, has been in the works since 2016, when the parcels on which the homes are being built were seized by the city for unpaid taxes. They were then purchased by the investment group that is funding the construction project.

Many of the homes that were seized were either fire-damaged or had been demolished.

There is a group of 16 investors involved in the project. They include HB Housing Group, Friend of the Community, Galesi Management Group, Civco Live In Schenectady, NBT, Neil and Jane Golub, DRL Schenectady Housing, Re4orm Architecture, Precision Industrial Maintenance, Schenectady Hardware & Electric, Jackson Demolition, Capital Region Gaming, Northeastern Fine Jewelry and LeChase Construction.

Union College has made a monetary donation but is not an investor in the project.

The Daily Gazette Co. is also an investor in the project.

There are also five banks involved in financing the project, including Capital Bank, NBT, Ballston Spa National Bank, Pioneer Bank and Kinderhook Bank.

Mary D’Alessandro-Gilmore and Joseph Farry, of Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices-Blake Realtors, will be marketing the properties together.

“We’re almost there in terms of marketing the properties,” D’Alessandro-Gilmore said.

Developers previously said the project would be completed in phases. The first phase will include the construction of 15 townhouse-style homes. The second phase will include 10 residences built on the opposite side of Barrett Street.

Roth said the homes are still on track to have a sale price in the $200,000 price range. But he said those prices could change if any buyers request upgrades.

D’Alessandro-Gilmore previously said there had already been inquiries from interested buyers.

Roth said that, as each home is sold, the plan is to begin building another one of the 15 homes.

“As we progressively sell the units, we’ll begin building additional units for them to be sold,” Roth said.

Each aspect of the construction project is being put out for separate bids, according to Roth.

The contract for the foundation work was awarded to Roth’s company, Plank Construction Services, and the waterproofing contract was awarded to DeBrino Caulking Associates.

Bids have already come in for the framing work, according to Roth.

The project was delayed after ground was broken in July 2017. Developers said the work was intentionally delayed so they wouldn't be pouring concrete during the winter, when construction costs would have been higher.

Roth said no further delays are expected and work on the homes will continue into next year. The plan is to have the first six homes up for sale during the first quarter of 2019.

“We’re not going to stop the progress,” Roth said.

There is excitement among the developers, now that work has begun on the project, Roth said. The group is particularly excited to be contributing to the revitalization of the city, he said.

“We want to be a part of the resurgence of homeowners moving back into the city,” Roth said.

He also said the group doesn’t plan to stop with the Barrett Street project. He said they will look at other areas of the city to do similar projects, though there has not been another location identified, Roth said.

“We hope this project is a catalyst that helps us develop other opportunities in the city to build additional homes and possibly renovating some homes,” Roth said. “This is our first one. We’re hoping to take this model and continue it.”

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David Bianchi
I just refer to all the One's involved in the taking of this land as,"The Wild Bunch!" Don't get in their way! Take what they want! Get what they want!
The Gazette keeps on saying the parcels on which the homes are being built were seized by the city for unpaid taxes. When previous stories by the Gazette have shown different and that Eminent Domain was included to take much of the land. Along with an abandonment proceeding that was also used.
Also, I have received a letter from my local attorney recently that I will share with you all. The letter is signed/dated and notarized. Maybe it will bring back some memories to all the attorneys and one's involved.
What I always found amazing is that my local attorney was an actual witness to the threats and wrongdoings from the cities attorneys. And with All my proof of papers and witnesses, I could not get my case brought to court! Now that's Power! Step aside common man..
The letter below I received recently. Why it took so long to get a letter like this from my local attorney? I can only speculate with an answer of, some things take time?

August 14, 2018

To Whom It May Concern

Please be advised that I have represented David Bianchi in numerous matters concerning properties in the City of Schenectady.

A number of years ago I was approached by an attorney who asked if Mr. Bianchi was willing to sell a property on Barrett Street, as a development project was planed I responded with his asking price, which admittedly was high taking into account the planed use of the property, the attorney replied "That's ok, we'll just have the City take it." Subsequently, an abandonment proceeding was commenced by the City of Schenectady, which the property was found to be abandoned despite the fact Mr. Bianchi continually used the property for storage and building inspector admitted he had never been inside the property.
Exhibits have subsequently misplaced by the Court.

Later, Mr. Bianchi attempted to pay back taxes on another property which was in the name of another family member. After submitting the payment in full to American Tax Funding. ATF returned the payment and indicated that they had been directed by the City of Schenectady to return same as Mr. Bianchi was not the proper payer. This was done despite the fact that the City frequently takes payments from other entities for tax payments. It was clear that the City simply wished to seize the property for back taxes, and even the representative of ATF stated they had never seen that situation before.

Mr. Bianchi owned another property that was foreclosed on and a judgment of foreclosure entered.
Subsequently, the mortgagee ex parte requested that the judgment be vacated, a fire later occurred at an adjoining property necessitating the demolition of an structure on Mr. Bianchi's property. The City later sought to recover the significant demolition cost from Mr. Bianchi, despite the fact he had been divested of to the by the foreclosure proceeding, and knew nothing of what happened subsquently.

It appears that Mr. Bianchi's Civil rights have been violated by the City of Schenectady on a number of occasions. It is unclear why he became a target of the City, but he clearly was.

Sincerely yours,
Glen W. Brownell



Like · Reply · 9m
Gerald Plante
"...another location identified." Look at Jefferson St. One block west off Erie. This block has a home at 16 Jefferson St that has been vacant and blighted with a crater size hole in its roof for 20 years! Sara Foss of the Gazette broke open a whole mess with this property when investigating so called owners...anything but! A shell company 'owns' it! Yet, the City can't do anything with it! After 20 years of complaints you can't do anything?! Noone lives there! Duh! Get working...what we pay for!
Like · Reply · 10h
Sharon Flood
Will there be some type of lottery to decide who gets to buy?
Like · Reply · 17h
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bumblethru
October 19, 2018, 4:06pm Report to Moderator
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legal extortion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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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joebxr
October 21, 2018, 5:27pm Report to Moderator

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JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!!  
JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!  
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leggs9966
May 13, 2019, 4:05am Report to Moderator
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This is Stolen Land!
Congrats High society, Courts, Politicians, Lawyers and Lawmakers!
I do understand that most of you, if not all are good people.
That you may feel you may need to protect yours and/or the Legacy of others.
That the One's involved in this Illegally, Wrongfully Land taking. Are much greater then this broke zero landowner that was barely hanging in there.
Therefor I or my family deserved No Rights?
Yet, for any crimes I may or may not have committed that I should have the book thrown at me .
Which I can say ok. The system may not be perfect on proving whether a crime has been committed or not sometimes. In which I feel videos seem to be the best kind of evidence in many/most cases.
In this Land stealing case of mine. I have no videos. Yet, I have solid evidence of people, paperwork and court documents along with even news publications which help prove what I am saying is not hear say.
And for the many that know and the many that were involved. Yet, this was still allowed. Will always be the unbelievable part to me.
Yet, with the One's involved. I was not able to get proper Legal representation.
Some might even try to point the finger at my local lawyer Glen Brownell. Even with him not only being my lawyer, but also a actual witness to the threats followed by the proceedings afterwards. Yet, I know this was much, much, bigger then him or I.
It was Land in a wanted area. And the One's that wanted to change that particular area had power.
Power that extends pretty high. As high as it goes.
High society, Local, State, Federal Government. I Don't think it gets much higher then that.
Yes, I stood up to them. Not that I was against them in general because I was not. Not that I wanted to fight them because I did not.
I stood up because I knew that with their threats and ways of going about to Steal this Wanted Land were Wrong!
There are Legal ways to take Land for Tax foreclosure. But, this was not one of them.
Then to include Eminent Domain on vacant lots with no buildings on them, that I kept mowed and called them blight. And to actually include in the Eminent Domain also for unpaid land taxes.
Was a row of Townhouses really that important? Which I agree are nice. But were they worth violating property ownership Rights?
Above the Law. Congrats! This was the kind of crime that no one would stand up too. I guess only stupid me.
But to the mega powers. Their Legacy. For all the good they may have done. Should this just get buried?  I guess to many or most maybe so. Along with protecting the One's that have done much and not the one's that has done little.
And the city has continually violated my rights on several more occasions with other properties that I can clearly show with paperwork and court documents. But finding a lawyer to properly represent me with these kind of Property Rights being violated has seemed impossible. Unless, maybe you are wealthy. In which obviously I am not.
Good Luck America! I see your fighting equality at many different levels. Unfortunately, I guess this is one that the wealthy and connected can get away with.
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leggs9966
June 14, 2019, 12:11am Report to Moderator
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https://dailygazette.com/article/2019/06/11/eminent-domain-fight-sparks-organized-backlash

Eminent domain fight sparks organized backlash in Fulton County | The Daily Gazette
JOHNSTOWN -- For the second time in 2019, a major economic development project in Fulton County has been stymied amid pushback from an organized community group fighting against development of ...
dailygazette.com

So I recognized one is this picture. I went and talked to him about when the government seems forced to do Eminent Domain.
With me I didn't think the small amount of land called for it. Along with the illegal tax return. But I guess they felt a matter of importance to do so.
Do I hate Schenectady, never. I always thought they thought I attacked my ex-wife.  Again, I did not. Was I a bad boy? sure..
Could I have done better absolutely..  I really overall didn't like money. It comes with a lot of problems.
I'm thankful for what I had and have, food on the table and all. May God forgive me for my sins and may the world somehow survive without destroying itself.
I'll give my son Dan a call soon. Hopefully I'll see about work soon. Not sure what yet? Electrician? Property maintenance? I'll hopefully also be able to offer free services to non- profits? We'll see..

Hope you're well. The world is always changing.
If you move around here or ever around it would be great to see you and your family.
I'm not sure if I'm suppose to give up my fight how they wrongfully took the land. I will only ask for guidance and strength from God.
   Love Dad
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leggs9966
June 17, 2019, 2:36am Report to Moderator
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Editorial: Public needs more protection from eminent domain
At some point, the pendulum has shifted too far in favor of the government and against the private property holder
The Daily Gazette | June 16, 2019

https://dailygazette.com/artic.....-from-eminent-domain

They teach you that in school. They teach it in church. (It’s Commandment No. 8.)

I don't know how to proceed exactly.  God's Will there's a way!!
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leggs9966
June 17, 2019, 6:37pm Report to Moderator
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Well, I put a message out to the farmers in Fulton county.
I doubt they got the time to read it or want to hear from someone like me from Schenectady.
If any were able, I hope at least they got the message to be careful of (any) that might try to help force them to sell their land for any reason.
As far as me. I don't expect any help after all this time. All I can do is reach out to any and offer anything, even if just a past story to maybe if not stop eminent domain, but maybe help make important needed changes to it.
God bless!
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leggs9966
November 5, 2019, 6:25pm Report to Moderator
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https://dailygazette.com/article/2019/11/05/schenectady-nets-10m-for-downtown-improvements

Schenectady nets $10M for downtown improvements
Gov. Cuomo makes announcement
Pete DeMola | November 5, 2019

1

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announces $10M revitalization grant for Schenectady at the G.E. Theater in Proctors Tuesday.
Photographer: Marc Schultz
SCHENECTADY — It’s all about making connections.
With the injection of a $10 million state grant, the city aims to take the ongoing fibers of its economic resurgence, from developments at Mohawk Harbor to downtown rebirth, and link them together — literally.
The $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday will allow the city to further long-planned connections between the two hotspots, including linking Little Italy to Mohawk Harbor and completing a pedestrian tunnel between Erie Boulevard and Jay Street.
Cuomo, who rolled out the prize at Proctors, said: “Connect those pieces. Connect that energy. And that's just what your downtown application did."
The DRI, now in its fourth year, allocates $100 million annually statewide, awarding one locality in each of the state’s 10 economic development regions $10 million for improvements designed to spur broader investment.
Funds will also accelerate the demolition of long-vacant buildings, including the former Coyne Textile building on Erie Boulevard near Mohawk Harbor, as well as allow for additional downtown facade improvements.

“It builds on a great number of things that are happening in this community, and allows us to go to the next level,” Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said.
With the funds now awarded, the city will begin the process of winnowing down specific projects as part of a “strategic investment plan” designed to guide the process.
A local planning committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and others will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.
Shovel-ready projects include construction of the proposed Capital Region Aquatic Center and a dock facility at Mohawk Harbor.
“Both of these are designed to bring more tourists into the city,” said Eric Gertler, acting commissioner and president and CEO-designate of Empire State Development.
The state award also will augment projects that ideally will galvanize broader private investment, including the demolition of the former Citizens Bank building downtown.

Redburn Development Partners, which has renovated a slew of historic downtown buildings, plans on erecting a building on the site.
“It’s probably going to end up leveraging a couple hundred million dollars in economic development, which is fantastic news,” said Jeff Buell, principal of Redburn Development Partners. “We’re very bullish on Schenectady, and very excited about the future of Schenectady.”
Schenectady was hit hard with the departure of American Locomotive and GE downsizing, Cuomo said.
Part of that was “economic forces outside our control,” he said. But past administrations failed to “act appropriately" by failing to create a solid strategy for moving forward.
The governor also blamed a state Legislature dominated by downstate lawmakers: “What's your vision? What's your plan? And then somebody had to go first and invest in that plan, provide that startup capital to make the transformation and that should have been the state government.”  
Under the state’s Regional Economic Development Council program, people from academic, business and public sector hash out economic development strategies tailored to their unique dynamics.

Cuomo’s last official visit to Schenectady was in 2017 to unveil the design for the new Schenectady Train Station.
“It’s my pleasure to be back in Schenectady in my official capacity,” Cuomo said. “I come often in my unofficial capacity when I escape the mansion incognito and leave the troopers behind.”
APARTMENT BOOM
Another key goal of the DRI is attracting Millennials to live and work downtown.
The governor said many are not interested in the suburban lifestyles favored by their parents.
“That is not their dream," Cuomo said. "In many ways, they are smarter than that. They do not want to contribute to sprawl. They do not want to spend time driving in the car. They do not want to burn gasoline. They want to be in downtown areas.”
Schenectady has seen an explosion in downtown apartment building over the past half-decade.
Mohawk Harbor and Rivers Casino & Resort transformed a slice of polluted industrial waterfront into a vibrant area with housing and businesses, while 900 new apartment units have been created downtown, not including 74 pending units at the Mill Artisan District project, which previously received $2.3 million in state funding for the $14.1 million project.
On the cosmetic front, Erie Boulevard has seen a spate of demolitions this summer and fall, sweeping away former industrial buildings and shuttered car dealerships.
McCarthy said the state has been a critical partner in helping solve complicated issues related to the development efforts — including clearing titles and sorting through environmental and financing issues — that have stymied past developers seeking to tackle the projects.
“They’re never been afraid of the challenge,” McCarthy said.
Previous Capital Region DRI awardees have included Albany, Hudson and Glens Falls, and Amsterdam in the Mohawk Valley.
While Schenectady previously submitted basic information to the state for the first round of awards in 2016, this is the first year they’ve competed with other localities for the award, beating out Castleton on Hudson, Rensselaer, Tannersville and Troy.
The award, McCarthy said, shows that Schenectady is setting the standard for development.
“We’re not afraid of competition," McCarthy said. "We’re not afraid of competition in New York state; we’re not afraid of competition within this country, and we’re not afraid of competition globally," he said. "We’re going to do things that set us apart and make us unique.”
McCarthy acknowledged past officials have laid groundwork for the announcement, including former county Legislature chairwoman Susan Savage and former mayor Brian Stratton.
“We were lucky to get $10 from the state in my day, let alone $10 million,” Stratton said. "The governor has really transformed the whole regional economic development process. He’s been true to his word, and focused like a laser on upstate economic development.”
And Stratton said the downtown growth will ultimately further strengthen and benefit the city's neighborhoods.
“You can’t have a strong city as a whole without having a strong downtown, which in turn, will also help the neighborhoods," he said. "You’re going to bring in more business, more revenue, and that’s going to help you be able to build out and do the things we need to do.”
Stratton, who serves as director of the Canal Corporation, noted the city is joining eight other DRI localities along the canal corridor, which presents numerous growth opportunities.
Mohawk Valley and Finger Lakes Region awardees have yet-to-be announced, and both are located along the Erie Canal.
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David Bianchi
Damn! No wonder my Families land on Barrett St. and Seminary Place was Stolen!
Look at the Numbers! Developers, Grants, Tax Breaks!
Land that was in my family for over 100 years. Stolen!!
Publically, Illegally done no less. City and Higher Up Officials involved right to the Top!
After threats to sell them the land cheaply or they will go through the City and Take it!
To build a block of Townhouses!
Live In Schenectady project! (located in Little Italy)
Any Investors out there Looking to Buy in and Finance a Lawsuit with me?
My story is outlined in a online forum in which I posted most of what happened. Yahoo search,(Schenectady gate).
Again, My Proof is Strong! Paperwork, Court Documents to Prove so! I Don't have a Penny! But, I Do Have One Hell of a Case!!
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leggs9966
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First phase of Barrett Street housing development opens
Townhouses aimed at reshaping rundown neighborhood
Pete DeMola | December 10, 2019

3

The first six townhouses of a housing development on Barrett Street were unveiled Tuesday.
Photographer: Peter R. Barber
SCHENECTADY — The first homes built as part of a new housing development in the city's Little Italy section are now on the market.
Six townhouses have been completed on Barrett Street as part of the Live-In Schenectady project, a coalition of five banks and 16 investors who provided financing.
The target demographic for the two-story townhouses, which start at $161,500, are young couples and empty-nesters, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices-Blake Realtors, which is marketing the properties.
Fifteen units will ultimately be constructed as part of the first phase of development, which has been formally dubbed Barrett Village.
“It’s a new era of residential housing in Schenectady,” said Joseph R. Farry, senior vice president at Berkshire Hathaway.
Total project costs to date are $2.2 million, with completion of the first phase estimated to cost $1.8 million, according to John Roth, an investor and president of Highbridge Development.

No public funding was utilized, and The Daily Gazette Co. is among the investors.
Ten additional units are planned for a second phase located across Barrett Street, but Roth said it’s too early to provide cost estimates.
The timeworn stretch of Barrett Street has watched as development has swirled from all sides in recent years, from rehabilitation of blighted structures on Seward Street, development of Mohawk River and Rivers Casino & Resort to the proposed connector project linking Little Italy to the complex as part of the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which awarded $10 million to the city last month.  
The project site once contained properties and structures seized over the years by the city for non-payment of taxes, and once boasted several Italian restaurants, including the landmark Luigi's, which closed in 2007 and was burned down by a teenage arsonist in 2012.
David Buicko, CEO of Galesi Group, which is among the investors, said the Live-In Schenectady project and DRI almost follow a similar strategy when it comes to connecting neighborhoods.
“If we create momentum and connectivity and tie downtown to the neighborhoods, and vice versa, hopefully the rest will fill in on the investment side,” Buicko said.

The immediate surroundings of the Barrett Street site are a mix of broken pavement, empty lots and older homes.
Ideally, Barrett Village also will generate further investment and give landlords and property owners an incentive to spruce up their properties, Buicko said.
“We’re hopeful that section of Barrett Street will be upgraded similar to what Union College did at Seward Place,” Buicko said.
“We don’t care about making money,” Roth said. “All we care about is building, selling at cost, taking the proceeds and rolling them into another one.”
The project's investors are HB Housing Group, Friend of the Community, Galesi Management Group, Civco Live in Schenectady, NBT, Neil and Jane Golub, DRL Schenectady Housing, Re4orm Architecture, Precision Industrial Maintenance, Schenectady Hardware & Electric, Jackson Demolition, The Daily Gazette, Capital Region Gaming, Northeastern Fine Jewelry, LeChase Construction, Jay Curtis, president of Curtis Lumber, and Steven and Marie Taszycki, co-founders of Competitive Advantage Group.
The banks supporting the effort are NBT, Capital Bank, Ballston Spa National Bank, Pioneer Bank, Kinderhook Bank, Saratoga National Bank and Berkshire Bank.

Union College is also supporting the venture, but as a donor rather than an investor. The development sits near the college's western border.
The new homes will be part of a housing association, which as part of its bylaws will prohibit owners from renting the homes out, a mechanism designed to ensure the townhouses remain owner-occupied and its residents invested in the neighborhood.
“This is a great show of confidence by private investors in our neighborhood revitalization efforts,” said Mayor Gary McCarthy in a released statement. “When you have leading private-sector individuals and companies jumping in to buy and redevelop property in Schenectady, you know that our neighborhood revitalization efforts are headed in the right direction.”

3 comments


David Bianchi
High Taxes! High Crime! Great School District!
Now, if they can Fence off the traffic from places like Carrie St. and Foster Ave?
They Robbed the Land from me for this Barrett Village because they were Desperate!
A Desperate City does Desperate things!
Let's see what they can do with this Swamp Land? There has to be some more Sucker Fish Out there?
The City has been going to Hell for some time now..
You and I both know it! Ya, The Casino is Gonna Save the City! Gambling is Good!
I only invested in the City because properties were Cheap! They were giving them away! I was told to invest in places like Rotterdam and Scotia to where you can easily Double your Money!
Lower Crime. Lower Taxes. Better School Districts and they don't have to sell at cost to sell their land. I Wonder Why??
Then came Metroplex. They will Help You if You invest in the City!
Not with private Money but with a County wide extra Sales Tax created..
As far as the Investors with this Barrett Village? Is there some kind of Tax write offs or something?
After All the City is where the Fight was and is!
Except for them Stealing my Families land on Barrett St. and Seminary Place. In which they know Land Taxes were Illegally ordered sent back, along with Eminent Domain that was also done on the same land that were vacant lots that had no buildings on them and were called Blight! Because, they could not seize the land for unpaid taxes because before a Tax foreclosure proceeding would of been properly done. It would of had given me an opportunity at some point to pay the Property Taxes.. (Again)
Would I like to sue them? Sure.. Is my proof overwhelming and strong? Absolutely!
City Hall knows the game.. So Sue them! But, Lawyers Don't Come Cheap!
Is there any doubt the Land Stealing Tactics came after Threats from the Lawyers that Work for the City told me not Once! But, Twice in front of my Lawyer to Sell them the Land Cheaply or They Will go through the City and Take it!
Sure, I stood up to them! I thought, this isn't Russia!
No one can Force and Take your Land and Do it Publicly?
Then again, This is Schenectady! High Taxes! High Crime!
Most/Close to All People, Live in the City because Rents and Properties cost less. Along with it is Only what the Poverty Level Can Afford.. Not that they Want to Live in the City..
Good Luck with the Lies and Selling the Swamp Land!
Not that it matters much anymore. You can Yahoo search(Schenectady gate) to see how Public officials can do things to Steal Land if they really want it.. Even to build a Row of Townhouses!
Sure, I Lost some.. But, Nothing Compared to what the American People Will Continue to Lose when Public Officials can Abuse Their Power and Do Illegal things to Take One's Land and Get Away with It! Again, to Build a Row of Town Houses!
And Yet they Will send half the Police Force to get the poor guy that steals a bottle of formula from a grocery store..

http://www.rotterdamny.net/m-1458405312/
Like · Reply · 52m


Andrei Taganov
Why is the website not complete? http://barrettvillage.com/ Lots of "Waiting on content…".
Like · Reply · 53m


Edmond Day
When do the mattreess & tires start pillllling up.
Like · Reply · 8h


https://dailygazette.com/article/2019/12/10/first-phase-of-barrett-street-housing-development-opens
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leggs9966
January 16, 2020, 1:54am Report to Moderator
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https://dailygazette.com/artic.....s#art678319-comments

Shamrock tavern in Schenectady seized by state for back taxes
A sign on the tavern's front door announced the seizure
Pete DeMola | January 15, 2020

1

The Shamrock Wednesday
Photographer: Peter R. Barber/Gazette Photographer
SCHENECTADY — A longstanding downtown tavern has been seized by the state over failure to pay back taxes.
The Shamrock Tavern owes $14,124 from periods going back to 2001, 2004 and 2005, according to the state Department of Tax and Finance.
The business, which is located at 157 Clinton St., was shut down on Tuesday. A bright orange paper with "SEIZED" in large lettering was posted to the business' front window Wednesday.
"Warning. This property has been seized for nonpayment of taxes, and is now in the possession of the state of New York," the sign read in part.
Shamrock owner Jonathan Burns could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday.
The business is up-to-date on city taxes, according to the city Corporation Counsel’s Office.

The rowhouse-style building is owned by Ennio Sartori, who purchased the building in 2013 for $84,900, according to county tax records. The structure was assessed at $138,700 last year.
Upstairs residential units will not be affected by the seizure, said a State Department of Tax and Finance spokesman.
It's unclear if and when the business will reopen, and how much time Burns will be given to repay the debts.
"Each instance is handled on a case by case basis, so I cannot discuss timelines," said the spokesman. "Additionally, our communication with any one particular taxpayer is protected by secrecy laws."
The Shamrock has been granted state liquor licenses since at least 1907, according to the bar's Facebook page.
But it's not immediately clear if the bar has always existed at the same location; aA license issued that year listed 19 Romeyn St., which was renamed North Barrett Street in 1933, as the tavern's address.


(comment)
David Bianchi
Ah, the City of Schenectady connections.
My Grandfather and Grandmother came to Schenectady somewhere right before 1920. They came from Rome and Naples.
They moved on Barrett St.. I Don't know if it was Barrett or Romeyn then? My Grandfather worked at ALCO. My father was born on Barrett St. or Romeyn St. in 1924. I don't know if he got his first name Roman(nickname Whitey) from the street or the city my Grandfather came from? Ah, The Electric City! My Father was an Electrician and so was I, until I decided to try to be a Landlord. They said, "Don't Do It!" Don't invest in the city. If your gonna invest in property. Invest in places like Rotterdam or Scotia or Guilderland. But I started investing heavily on Barrett St.. Besides my Grandfather's/Uncle's land on Barrett I accumulated 17 apartments on that street. 2 of the 5 buildings I bought I did complete makeovers. New electric, plumbing, sheetrock, siding, windows, it wasn't cheap. After my heavy investment I was very low on cash. Even had trouble keeping up with High Property Taxes! When American Tax Funding bought the Tax Liens for late taxes and gave property owners 5 years to be late before foreclosing, I though it was a God Send. Even though ATF got High Interest, 24% on their Tax liens that they bought from the city.
Then came the Developers along with City Hall.(The Mayors office.) Threats right in front of my Lawyer to sell them the property cheap or they would go through the city and Take It!
Then City Hall (Illegally)ordering ATF to send my Tax payment back. In which on several vacant lots I made the payment in Full. Not in payments like the City Lied. To make an excuse for the city ordering the Tax lien company to send my payment back.
Then the city did an Abandonment trial on the house my Grandfather purchased around 1920. A house I checked on daily and used for storage. In which at the trial the City Building Inspector admitted he was never inside.
On the several vacant lots with no buildings on them, the city did Eminent Domain calling them Blight even though I kept them mowed. The E/D and Abandonment trial was done because even with the city ordering my Tax payment being sent back they couldn't foreclose on the property for unpaid Taxes. Because it would of given me another chance to pay them. Even though the city used the Taxes as part of the excuse for the Abandonment and the E/D.
Oh Well, Why Do I keep bringing this up? I hear Barrett St., Taxes and I can't help the connection..
I was warned, Don't invest in the city! All I could think, But Mamma that's where the Fun is!
Good Luck with your Barrett Village. Stolen Land!
Corrupt Politicians!
As far as Sham Rock, Good Luck! You should be ok? No Developer wants your land? You should have an opportunity to pay the Taxes. With proper Tax foreclosure and All..
Be careful though, there's a lot of Metro Plex Money running around now. And especially Downtown.. So maybe One of the connected might want your land?
I'm not whining. Just stating the Facts for other property owners(in the city) to beware of.. Maybe this is Russia??
And as always you can Yahoo search,(Schenectady gate) to see much of my story.
http://www.rotterdamny.net/m-1458405312/
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leggs9966
February 15, 2020, 5:15am Report to Moderator
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Wow! I'm not sure if it was being a Landlord or what?
It's not drugs or medication or alcohol. My choice of drugs was only weed. But, I have done nothing probably for 5 years now.. So I can't blame that..
Recently, with the last building I had that was barely rentable. I rented to a new tenant in Nov.. 2 weeks later the 100 year old furnace started to not work properly. It was finally shot.. You can't even get parts for something that old. So, I told the new tenant there she had to go. She complained called me a few names. But, she agreed to have her stuff out in 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, I fu..ked Up! I threw what was in the apartment out.. I justified it in my mind at the time that since she agreed about 2 weeks, that I had the right to clean out the apartment. (To make it even worse it was right before Christmas!)
I can use the word funny. Like funny it actually didn't hit me it until today,Feb,14. but it was far from funny.. I messed up! I was in no hurry, the heater was shot and I could not afford to replace it. Why didn't I give her another 2 weeks to get her stuff out? My pride? Feel like I'm not going to get beat this one last time? She's gonna make me evict her and that will cost money..  For Whatever Stupid reason I did what I did... I messed up!  She was right to get the police and the building department there. The building department posted the building for being unsafe! And they were right to do so.. My other tenants that were there had to vacate their apartment immediately. (My other tenants were there close to 15 years..)  The building department said there was water leaking on the main panel and I had to get a Lic. Electrician to verify the wiring was All safe and also that the building was up to code. I Gave Up! Rightfully so.. If I couldn't afford to properly maintain a building, then the building should be shut down! The Bank should be foreclosing on that building soon... I have 2 more buildings the City should be foreclosing on for Taxes soon also..
How/When did I become so cold??? I can tell you when I used to be a electrician before I was a landlord. It was a much nicer setting.. You came, you upgraded wiring and you knew the wiring should be good for 100 years..(in most cases.)
I try to think back? How long have I been this cold? I'm not sure? I think in my early years, teens, twenties? You need to show you can be tough or something like that. Otherwise, you will get walked all over or something like that.
No, it was not a bad tenant this time, it was me..
My words to any new or existing landlords out there, Don't Let It Get To You!!
The Almighty Dollar! yes, we need to make our bills. But, there's more?  Greed, Power, whatever what.. All I can say to sum it up short, Be Careful and again, Don't let it get to you.. It can cost you more then it is worth in more ways then one..  We start out in many cases to help our families.
Again, be very, very, careful. I Don't think I would do it again if I had a choice.. For sure not to make the many mistakes again if I did..
I Don't Blame the City for taking Barrett St. either..    I failed..  Sorry, I gave you such a rough time..
Beautiful Job on the Townhouses!  Your right the neighborhood needed it! Good Job!!!
As far as this Eminent Domain, sure I guess we could all argue that our property is worth more if someone wants it really bad. But, in this case I think I was wrong..
For Schenectady! What happened to For Schenectady?  I'm not so sure exactly? For my Family and For Schenectady!!  Is All I Can Say...


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leggs9966
March 18, 2020, 4:48am Report to Moderator
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As for my last post. It was from the heart..
I did feel bad about cleaning that apartment out so quickly. I didn't want to wait longer after the agreed time was mostly because of fear I think.
Fear of I had a bad feeling about that tenant because of a couple confrontations with prior in which she didn't keep her word. Still, all in all, I think if I could turn back time..  I would of taken the chance and the blow in pride and not cleaned out what little was in the apartment. For that I regret..

As far as Barrett St. and the land stealing. As I said before, I like the part of the city getting fixed up. I just don't agree with the way they went about it to get the land.

This last episode recently in which I cleaned out a apartment had me questioning my whole life just about. I asked God to forgive me and give me guidance. I believe it's OK to prosper. What you do with it if you are able to achieve is probably what is most important.

As far as this land stealing, I would have to after thinking it through more thoroughly. Stick with just that. There were many entities involved and it involved a wanted area.
I recently made a post along with other posts I have made on Little Pink House Movie Facebook page I thought I would also share here.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/littlepinkhousemovie/posts/?ref=page_internal    

https://www.facebook.com/littlepinkhousemovie/posts/2977453782307223

This is the last post I had made on The Little Pink House Facebook page along with other posts I have made there and also The Daily Gazette.


‎David Bianchi‎ to Little Pink House
March 7 at 5:59 PM ·
Twice now the gazette is leaving the part about Eminent Domain out in this story that was included before.
I have to wonder why?
(Meanwhile, the town is moving forward with an eminent domain proceeding that could let it take the needed easements for a sewer line to serve the property. Eminent domain is government's right to take private property -- with compensation to the owner -- when it is in the greater public interest.) In earlier story.

As far as Eminent Domain, I am definitely opposed to what it has become. It was originally created for land to be temporarily seized for the needs of the military during wartime, then given back to the owner after the war was over.
Then, it changed over time from for the use of a hospital or school or a major road. Which is still understandable.

Recently, in 2005 Eminent Domain was changed for a public use.
My Families land on Barrett St. and Seminary Place in the city of Schenectady was Stolen by the city after I was told that if I didn't sell the land cheaply for a developers want to build a block of Townhouses that they would just go through the city and Take It!
The city after that did Eminent Domain on several vacant lots with no buildings on them that I kept mowed. The city called them blight.
The city also Illegally ordered Taxes that I paid in Full to a Tax lien company to be sent back. So that the city could add unpaid Land Taxes to the reason why they were doing Eminent Domain. Along with several more things the city did wrongfully to seize the land.
The land seized was for as I said, a block of Townhouses.
Barrett Village it is called. The city could not foreclose on the property for unpaid Taxes because it would of given me another chance to pay them after they were wrongfully ordered sent back.

I like the part of the city getting fixed up. Because, lets face it, without Metro Plex and paying people to invest in the city. The city was getting worse and worse. Especially, after the great GE pull out.
As far as Eminent Domain being done on my families land to take the land from one cheaply to be given to another that could profit off it. I applaud Joe Allen, the Only council member back then that voted against it.

The threats back then came from lawyers that worked with and also worked for the city. It almost seemed like a game to them. Like, You can't fight us. You have no money. Which they were right. I was a fool, I heavily invested in rehabbing properties in the city before there was any handouts from like Metro Plex.
It cost money to fight lawyers, along with the city government. Even when they do Illegal things right in view of the public eye.
I'd like to see them try to pull that stuff with someone like GE or the Railroad company that holds onto it's land long after the tracks are gone. No, I guess that's the way it works now..
Not that it matters much anymore, but you can search much of my Land stealing story involving Government Officials by Yahoo searching,(Schenectady gate).
As for past city Councilman Joe Allen and present Town Councilman Joe Guidarelli. Thank You! For not selling out..
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leggs9966
July 16, 2020, 1:21am Report to Moderator
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A comment I made in The Daily Gazette on a story.  https://dailygazette.com/artic.....p#art728278-comments

Good One Luke.. on his own property. Can I go kneel on "All" the One's necks, Involved in "STEALING" My Families Property on Barrett St. to build a row of Town Houses called Barrett Village? First Threatening Me to Sell Them the Property Cheap or "They Will Go through City Hall and Take It!! Followed by City Hall Illegally Ordering My Tax Payment Returned So That It Could Be Used As Part of the Reason The City Could Take The Property!
I Do Applaud How The Black and Brown Community Stand Together!
I Don't Applaud, How The Government and Legal System Can Stand Together In Helping A Developer STEAL One's Property!
Again, to Build a Row of Town Houses No Less..
Yet, It's the Kind of Crime That They Can Get Away With!
Involving Threats From Lawyers That Work For City Hall. In Front of My Lawyer! With Two Other LAW firms that I Hired After the  Threats and when the Government started to Take the Land! In which I had filed Bankruptcy because I was told that it would Stop the Government from Taking The Land for Unpaid Taxes! And Also I had retained another Lawyer to Represent My Family in a Eminent Domain Proceeding that was also done on the Land involved in the initial THREATS! With  the Two LAW firms with the Bankruptcy and the Eminent Domain telling me even though it SEEMS Like My Families and My Rights Were Violated that their Firms Only Practiced in Bankruptcy and Eminent Domain and Not in Protecting Any Rights that were Violated in Taking that Land By The Government.
All I Can Say is, I WISH I Was Black or Brown and get the Community Support this man has gotten..
Was it Proper for Police to Apply a Possible Choke Hold when Someone is Resisting and Fighting Back? I Don't Think So! Then again, What are Police Allowed to Do When Someone is Fighting Back!??
Good Luck, America!  
As far as Schenectady gate! Enjoy Your Town Houses on Stolen Land!
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