It's nice to see that the parking issue with the bridal shop and pet business has been handled well. I personally did not want to see that area left the mess that it was or have more of that nightmare backing-out-in traffic parking. The solution provides a real sidewalk so pedestrians don't have to dodge SUV's trying to back over them and it looks good, except they had to use that cheapo paving method they're using all over the city. They are also putting marked parking spaces on the side street which should help people get in and out of Gershon's more conveniently. It's too bad, though, that when these large scale street improvement projects are undertaken they don't go the distance and bury the utility cables while the street is all excavated anyway. I know it is because of costs, but there is never a more economical time to do it and there are costs associated with having the poles and wires out in the open, aside from the esthetics.
Rubbin' Butts is gone, but claims to be reopening soon under a new name. I hope it does better.
There is a vacant two-family house near the Howe school which I believe was condemned or whatever due to sewage problems. About a year ago the power company removed the meters from the outside of the house, which someone told me could signify that someone was stealing electricity at that site. I did see a young man let himself in with a key one day, even though the place was boarded up partially and plastered with notices from the city. Just recently there have been signs of activity again at the house, with all the old notices removed and new "no trespassing" notices posted, which state that the building is owned by the city of Schenectady. I'm wondering how
that works, as I see so many properties sitting abandoned for so long, in much worse external condition, and the city is not able to do anything with them. Also, if the city owns the house now, what about the serious plumbing problems? Can it be sold in that condition, or will the taxpayers be responsible for repairs now? Or will it be demolished, a building that could house a tax-paying family? Just curious
as we don't seem to have a consistent plan to deal with these important issues. |
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