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Schenectady boulevard's facelift a go
By Lauren Stanforth
Published 03:48 p.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2012


SCHENECTADY — The reconstruction of the famed Erie Boulevard corridor is finally about to be a reality.

After four years of foot-dragging and delays, bids will be requested Wednesday on the $13.6 million project that will make the stretch from State Street to General Electric narrower and more attractive.

The state Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have given the city approval to seeks bids on the project, which would start in May. Construction would be completed by the end of 2013.

Redevelopment of the 110-feet-wide span was the baby of former Mayor Brian U. Stratton, who announced approval of federal financing back in 2007. But it was controversial from the start, as a group of business owners opposed putting a tree-lined median along the boulevard and a roundabout at South Ferry Street – not to mention resistance from an the owner of the adult bookstore Another World after the city said it wanted to tear the building down for design reasons.

The gateway to the GE's main campus, once the path of the Erie Canal, is now a sea of asphalt that can be dangerous for pedestrians to navigate.

Officials tried to appease the business group by removing the roundabout from the design in 2009, but the project languished with no steward at City Hall to carry it, said city Director of Operations William Winkler. As a result, complicated matters such as negotiating with Rocky Palmer on the sale of his bookstore and disagreements with National Grid over its right of way were not dealt with in the speediest manner, Winkler said.

Some underground relocation of utilities was done in 2010. But the project's federal funding, which covers 85 percent of bill, was also in danger of expiring last fall. The city got lucky when the federal government extended the deadline for its own budgetary reasons. Winkler, a former state DOT engineer, is now shepherding the project.

The plan still calls for a tree-lined median from I-890 to State Street. Motorists will enter a turn-around loop at I-890 or Erie Street to reach the boulevard's opposite side. Bike lanes and sidewalks will be built.

"The project is pivotal to development downtown," said Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen, who worked hard to support the project during the past protests, passing out green FixErieNow.com signs and stickers at public meetings.

Sarah Michener, who owns a hair salon on South Ferry Street and led Concerned Business People of Erie Boulevard, said Tuesday the group disbanded shortly after the city dug its heels in on its final design three years ago. Michener is still skeptical the project can be done within the $14 million that got a green light.

For example, the city ended up paying Palmer $300,000 for his storefront — about $150,000 more than what the property was worth. But that included the cost of placing Another World's merchandise in storage while Palmer awaits relocation to a building he owns on Broadway.

"You can't tell me whatever you thought the cost was going to be in 2007 is going to be the same," Michener said....................................................>>>>.............................>>>>......................................Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/loca.....35.php#ixzz1niJXT4cA

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"The project is pivotal to development downtown," said Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen, who worked hard to support the project during the past protests, passing out green FixErieNow.com signs and stickers at public meetings.

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For example, the city ended up paying Palmer $300,000 for his storefront — about $150,000 more than what the property was worth. But that included the cost of placing Another World's merchandise in storage while Palmer awaits relocation to a building he owns on Broadway.
If the project stays on budget, the city would be responsible for about $700,000. The state kicks in the remaining 15 percent.


Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/loca.....35.php#ixzz1njKgWYMs

Quoted from bumblethru

$14 MILLION to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the street????????

And this changes the quality of life and lowers the high taxation on the residents....HOW?

And is the $300K to Palmer part of the $700K........or is it in addition to it?

Quoted from 147

Funny how all the booming towns/cities are finding ways to WIDEN their roads, and, only in Schenectady do they find ways to NARROW them ... with taxpayer $.  Amazing.

Quoted from Tommy

Maybe it's the only way they could think of to try and slow down the stampede of people trying to leave the city.

Quoted from Tommy

Maybe it's the only way they could think of to try and slow down the stampede of people trying to leave the city.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The long awaited Erie Blvd project is scheduled to begin in the Spring.   This is yet another sign of the Renaissance in Schenectady County.