Metroplex wants to stabilize Foster Building Owners say they plan to locate a hotel at site Wednesday, July 15, 2009 By Justin Mason (Contact) Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — Schenectady’s Metroplex Authority took the first step toward stabilizing the historic Foster Building, while owners of the deteriorating structure revealed they have plans to develop the property into downtown’s next luxury hotel. Metroplex hosted a sparsely attended public hearing Tuesday for a project to acquire and weatherproof the downtown landmark on State Street. The authority is proposing to allocate $500,000 that would be used to both purchase the building through negotiation or eminent domain and then protect it from further damage from the elements. “We are very concerned about the condition of the building and need to secure it before the winter,” said Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen after the hearing, which lasted less than a half-hour. “We continue to talk [with the owners], but we need to protect the building.” Property owners Craig Alsdorf and Dennis Todd were noticeably absent from the meeting. Both said they had been notified of the public hearing the previous day and had prior engagements they couldn’t break. Reached by phone, Todd said he was in Ithaca and unable to return for the hearing on such short notice. Alsdorf said he had previous commitments in Saratoga County and arrived at the Metroplex offices shortly after the hearing concluded. Todd was surprised the authority was moving forward with the stabilization effort because there are plans afoot to redevelop the property and preserve its Beaux Arts facade. He said he’s under an agreement with a company to locate a hotel on the site. “If they’re going to take it [through eminent domain], they’re going to have to buy out our option,” he said. Todd also said the building would be stabilized before winter. Though he declined to name the company interested in the building, he said the process is far enough along to address any concerns over the building’s condition. “Either way it’s going to be buttoned up by winter,” Todd said............>>>>...................>>>>.............http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/jul/15/0715_fosterbuilding/
I believe you are mistaken on the Robinson Building. My check of the records showed that it fell into disrepair under the Jurczyinski administration and was left unattened by former SEDC Chair George Robinson. Hope that helps clarify the situation. Nothing like some cold, hard facts to set the record straight.
Yes, and Frank Duci is sending secret messages and orders out to the republicans while channeling the corpse of Ronald Reagan and Smoking Bananas is intercepting them with his tin foil hat on. It is always going to be the fault of some republican who was either voted out 6 years ago or more, left town a decade ago, passed on, or is in the tiniest minority, even though democrats control just about every body in the county on up to the federal level. You always need a scapegoat when you are a dictator. BLAME IT ON AMEDORE! BLAME IT ON TEDISCO! BLAME IT ON TOMMASONE!
"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."
Right. This is private property and horrible Death Ray who should be fired and run out of the County based on the disgusting DEM State Comptroller's audit. He has no record of rehabbing anything. Look at the Big Hose fiasco.
Instead of disbanding this moron keeps finding more projects so he can waste more taxpayer money. Why doesn't he sell Silver Diner or rent a any space in his joke "Clinton's Ditch"? Only in this County is a town DEM chairman made head of County planning. And nobody says nuthin.
Just like nobody says nuttin about the former Repub, turned conserv, turned indep County Dept Head's recent DWI. Give it up Mr Pastrami you're a hypocrite and a shrill.
Everyone knows who owns the building. So what? Why don't you inform yourself and read the complete audit the State Comptroller did on Metrograft? Pathetic-no jobs-no contracts=no problemo. You too "Puddy". We eagering await your responses-lol!
What the hell are you talking? Some nobody gets a DWI? That makes the pathetic State Audit of Metrograft better?
You didn't read the complete audit. Doubt you read the Gazetto whitewash. Parking loses money every year. Half the professional contracts had no writing! None of the projects created any jobs. Try complete taxpayer ripoff that no other County would tolerate. In a recent poll 90% said disband it-but "bananas" wants to keep it cause he doesn't like the owners? lol.
You don't like the owners? So buy it from your pocket-not ours. Unreal how some dupes will defend failed socialism.
Everyone knows who owns the building. So what? Why don't you inform yourself and read the complete audit the State Comptroller did on Metrograft? Pathetic-no jobs-no contracts=no problemo. You too "Puddy". We eagering await your responses-lol!
What the hell are you talking? Some nobody gets a DWI? That makes the pathetic State Audit of Metrograft better?
Some nobody???!!! Yikes He is a frickin County Director knocking down $80,000 plus a year. When the shoe is on the other foot its a nobody. LOL Good one mr Pastrami. Again you drip of hypocrisy and deceit. LOL
Oh and it was your quote of "a dem chairman having a job in the county planning and nobody says nuthin." Move to Saratoga County like you said you were doing. Please!!!
Logged
Right. This is private property and horrible Death Ray who should be fired and run out of the County based on the disgusting DEM State Comptroller's audit. He has no record of rehabbing anything. Look at the Big Hose fiasco.
