There were a lot of societies and clubs in the past --- and I admit that I don't know the history of everyone of them --- but it was because of those societies and clubs that our community grew and flourished.   They contributed a lot to the community -- and that is why we need to learn their stories and tell their stories ... and hopefully my generation and younger generations can recapture their community spirit and bring it back to life.

I would also add -- that even if the building were not associated with a historic society -- the building IMHO -- is actually one of the nicer older buildings.  And it isn't as if there aren't vacant lots and lots with buildings that SHOULD be torn down  .. where this business could locate ------------again ------ why not locate this business in one of the neighborhoods ----- Crane Street -- Upper Broadway --- or Van Vranken Ave  or the empty Ground Round building in Woodlawn or how about the area just above Pulaski Park between  State and Albany Street ????????  

Society of the Plastic Milk Jug, A. Satanbarbera, Chairman

Society of the Golden Jockstrap, Jacques Paulino, President

Society of the Giant Middle Finger, S Savage. CEO

Society of Just Following Orders, H. Buffonti, General

Society of Bull sh*t Spewing Thugs -- Joe Surhada, President

Quoted from bumblethru

I really have to believe that most folks could care less whether they knock the beast down or rehab it. Including myself. This is called 'private property rights'.

And since this 'is' a private business and a private business transaction...............there should be no taxpayer funded money being thrown at it....nor tax exemptions. Not to mention that this is just a relocation. Not a new business start up.

Quite a few posters here claiming or at least trying their admiration for fine architecture  - really ?  honest to God ? Salami and the rest including u rachael .  

I remember going into the ' Working Gallery Studio " over a year ago and talking to the owner Catherine- she told me some people had come in with tape measures and left. ( we knew something was up )  Catherine Minnery ran the studio- she has a degree in art - she really likes Pierre Bonnard .  She used to rent out spaces in the back for other artist to work in.

I have bought a number of pieces from her over the years-
its funny to listen to political stooges trying to sound like they have  any aesthetic appreciation whatsoever

Quoted from Sombody

Quite a few posters here claiming or at least trying their admiration for fine architecture  - really ?  honest to God ? Salami and the rest including u rachael .  

I remember going into the ' Working Gallery Studio " over a year ago and talking to the owner Catherine- she told me some people had come in with tape measures and left. ( we knew something was up )  Catherine Minnery ran the studio- she has a degree in art - she really likes Pierre Bonnard .  She used to rent out spaces in the back for other artist to work in.

I have bought a number of pieces from her over the years-
its funny to listen to political stooges trying to sound like they have  any aesthetic appreciation whatsoever

So what's your point.?  What's your position?  So your an expert in Art? Architecture? Or do you just know a bunch of "experts"?  Degrees are no guarantee for success or grasp of knowledge in general.  How many of most famous artists, architects or founders of fortune 500 companies have a degree?  Do you think it is necessary to demolish this building?

From the Metroplex website, March 10, 2005

"The 440 Arts Center will utilize a $30,000 grant that will help to complete a $500,000 renovation of the building, a key component of the growing arts and entertainment district downtown."

NOW, Metroplex is shelling out another $60,000 facade grant and $150,000 renovation grant to Transfinders for this same location.

THE TAXPAYERS PRICE FOR 440 STATE STREET: $740,000 (in a 6 year period)

Do I care about the historical significance? Not as much as I care about a waste of the over half-a-million already spent trying to restore it.

This is a money pit all funded with the blood of the taxpayers........

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
Man stands alone in protest of plan to raze historic hall
BY BETHANY BUMP Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Bethany Bump at 395-3107 or bbump@dailygazette.net.


A leisurely bystander paused in front of the former Odd Fellows Hall on Saturday to ask Tom Hodgkins what he was fi ghting for. “Somebody’s going to tear this down?” he said, staring up at the historic State Street structure bearing the familiar red “Arts at 440” inscription. “They bought out the government,” Hodgkins shouted, as his three small children played nearby. “They’re going to tear down a temple for greed.” “Do you have any petitions?” asked the bystander. Clutching his cardboard sign reading “Built for love, razed for greed,” Hodgkins smiled and shook his head. “We’re just appreciating this building and the values it embodies before it’s gone,” he said. “It’s already been done. The city’s been bought out. It’s done. We’re just here to appreciate it before it’s gone.” His message was simple, but resigned: inform the people.
    The former International Order of Odd Fellows Hall, located at 440 State St., is slated for demolition before year’s end. The decision was approved Wednesday by members of the city Planning Commission after building owner Tony Civitella urged the commission to move ahead with demolition plans so construction wouldn’t be delayed until spring.
    But to rush through approval of a demolition that will eradicate a historic piece of the city is undemocratic to Hodgkins. So he stood outside the building, with his three kids, his sign, drums and bells, for two hours Saturday before packing up his belongings and leaving.
    “I think it’s important that we keep our heritage,” Hodgkins said. “This is not just some apartment building, it’s not some bank. It was a building built by the community. It wasn’t some rich man’s house. It was built by the people for the people.”
    Although Civitella originally called for leveling only the rear two-thirds of the structure, it was determined that the ornate terra-cotta façade is inseparable from the brick substructure of the building, prompting the decision for complete demolition.
    Overall, the construction project will cost $5 million. The Metroplex Development Authority in June said it would give Civitella a $150,000 renovation grant and $60,000 façade grant so his software development company, Transfinder, could move its headquarters into the building formerly owned by Proctors.
    “But that was the plan all along,” said Hodgkins, who wore a foot-and-a-half tall birch bark hat on his head and a bell on his waist, of the demolition. “That was the plan. That was the Trojan horse. They had a reason to subvert the democratic process because Metroplex is not a democratic organization. They are unaccountable.......................>>>>....................>>>>.......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01701&AppName=1

Quoted from rachel72

From the Metroplex website, March 10, 2005

"The 440 Arts Center will utilize a $30,000 grant that will help to complete a $500,000 renovation of the building, a key component of the growing arts and entertainment district downtown."

NOW, Metroplex is shelling out another $60,000 facade grant and $150,000 renovation grant to Transfinders for this same location.

THE TAXPAYERS PRICE FOR 440 STATE STREET: $740,000 (in a 6 year period)

Do I care about the historical significance? Not as much as I care about a waste of the over half-a-million already spent trying to restore it.

This is a money pit all funded with the blood of the taxpayers........

To your point..............

Quoted Text

Overall, the construction project will cost $5 million. The Metroplex Development Authority in June said it would give Civitella a $150,000 renovation grant and $60,000 façade grant so his software development company, Transfinder, could move its headquarters into the building formerly owned by Proctors.
    “But that was the plan all along,” said Hodgkins, who wore a foot-and-a-half tall birch bark hat on his head and a bell on his waist, of the demolition. “That was the plan. That was the Trojan horse. They had a reason to subvert the democratic process because Metroplex is not a democratic organization. They are unaccountable..

Ray Gillen is another example of someone who would never survive in the public sector. He would have been fired years ago!!!

Quoted from rachel72

THE TAXPAYERS PRICE FOR 440 STATE STREET: $740,000 (in a 6 year period)
Do I care about the historical significance? Not as much as I care about a waste of the over half-a-million already spent trying to restore it. This is a money pit all funded with the blood of the taxpayers........

Try giving away more inherited property for nothing Nobody. Another moron McCarthy supporter heard from. It's obvious you have never been inside this gem. It's also obvious that no know nothing about architecture or planning. Maybe you should listen to former Mayor Johnson and Barbara Blanchard? A architectural gem is being destroyed and only the two biggest politards here support it.

Quoted from bumblethru

Ray Gillen is another example of someone who would never survive in the public sector. He would have been fired years ago!!!

And he wants to put up another SCCC dorm at Gillen Gulch's/old Robinson's! He should have never been hired. Has the same planning credentials as Fronck and Franck-ZILCH. All he does is lie about jobs, lie about national retailers coming and collect a huge paycheck. Anyone who still thinks he is doing a good job should be chained down and forced to watch Metrograft meetings for 24 straight hours.  

Quoted from benny salami

Try giving away more inherited property for nothing Nobody. Another moron McCarthy supporter heard from. It's obvious you have never been inside this gem. It's also obvious that no know nothing about architecture or planning. Maybe you should listen to former Mayor Johnson and Barbara Blanchard? A architectural gem is being destroyed and only the two biggest politards here support it.

With the price tag associated, that is my point.

It's like taking Proctors and turning into City Hall...

IF THE GOV'T PUT 1/2 A MILLION INTO A PROPERTY FOR RESTORATION THEN NO ONE SHOULD BE TEARING IT DOWN 5 YEARS LATER!! Obviously, the City and Plex thought that this building was worthy of a $500,000 in restorations and a $30K facelift...why is that idea now being abandoned????

It's like the tearing down of the marble train station Schenectady once had. If it still existed, we would have had that additional rail years ago. When you tear down history, you will lose more than memories, you also lose future opportunities.

Ray Gillen repeatedly lies to the legislators and is a partisan democratic tactician. Look back at the Waite debacle with the Big House "Waite and see..." and numerous other instances like the fraudulent Little League Fields that the gullible Little League leaders thought were going to be the manna from heaven on Guilderland Ave. The Soccer club was mislead as well into thinking it could possible be a deal! Everyone was hustled by that liar.

Proctors wanted 440 State for 'the arts' and did renovation under this guise. The Plex freely gave 1/2 million and another $30K  for its facade.

Then Proctors turns around and sells it for $650K to Transfinders??

So Proctors, the non-profit, walks away with.....

$650,000 from Transfinders
$500,000 restoration grant
$ 30,000 facade grant

$1,180,000 in Proctors pocket??? This doesn't smell right? What's next.....they decide to sell the Theater to Transfinders for $1???

There is taxpayers invested 1/2 million in 440.....ONLY FIVE YEARS AGO! This transaction should be illegal.

Is there as laundromat there?