NISKAYUNA More Metroplex aid options sought Hearing outlines areas that could benefit from authority BY BETHANY BUMP Gazette Reporter
A slew of commercial sites in the town of Niskayuna could get a boost in economic development if town officials approve a plan to increase the boundaries of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority service district. The Town Board conducted a public hearing Tuesday concerning whether to include certain zoning districts in the town under the Metroplex umbrella. The town would be eligible to receive grants, loans and facade improvements by including commercial areas. Board member Julie McDonnell pointed out that Metroplex was effective in reviving the former St. James Square, where the new ShopRite now sits. The square, which joins the Route 5 and Hillside areas of the town, was added to the Metroplex service area in 2008 after Grand Union left in 2001 and other vacancies occurred. “I just think this is a great idea,” said McDonnell. At Tuesday’s board meeting, Town Planner Kathy Matern laid out the seven regions that the expansion would include. The fi rst is the intersection of Providence Avenue, Balltown and River roads. It would include Soluna Yoga Studio, the Niskayuna branch of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, the new River Road Animal Hospital, the vacant former Korean United Methodist Church, and a new offi ce building at 2125 River Road. Officials worry that without some kind of development, the vacant church could easily become a blighted property. Other regions include the small area of Providence Avenue and Rosa Road where Kennedy Optical sits and the Niskayuna section of Upper Union Street, which includes several banks, a hair salon, medical and dental offices, a convenience store and offi ce buildings. Also to be included is what town officials consider the town center — the Niskayuna Co-op, Trustco Bank, CBS Channel 6 news station, a CVS pharmacy, the old town hall and two lawyers’ offices — and Niskayuna Square, which includes Hannaford Supermarket, a Stewart’s Shop, Key Bank, a credit union and several small businesses. Another region is near State Street, Consaul and Balltown roads. It includes Mohawk Commons, O.D. Heck Developmental Center, Raymour & Flanigan Furniture and Mansion Square. Finally, it would extend to the area near Troy and Rosendale roads that includes Vly Pointe, a Rite Aid Pharmacy, lawyers’ and doctors’ offi ces. EQUAL ACCESS Former Niskayuna town councilman and Metroplex board member Bill Chapman spoke in favor of the increased boundaries, stating it would put Niskayuna businesses on the same footing as other businesses in Schenectady County. Since its inception, Metroplex has approved project grants and loans totaling $143 million — a tremendous investment in the county, he said. “I think anyone who is driving around downtown Schenectady has certainly seen the improvements — not only in architecture, but in job development that’s happened in our community.” Chapman pointed to the towns of Rotterdam and Glenville as examples, and said that of the 155 facade improvement grants awarded to businesses in the county, none have gone to sites in Niskayuna. The reason, he said, is that few areas of town are included in the Metroplex service district. “We do have some businesses in Niskayuna who I think would benefit from this program,” he said. “I think Metroplex tries to be very respectful of town zoning ordinances and reaches out to the Town Board to help set goals and work hard to achieve those goals,” said Chapman. “So I think this is a sensible measure by the board to place these districts into the Metroplex service district.” Town resident Leslie Gold said that under previous Metroplex leadership, the economic development agency had tried to push certain projects into Niskayuna that were inconsistent with what residents wanted. She said if the board decides to go ahead with the expansion it should make sure no residential and professional sites are included, especially near Balltown Road. “There are major traffi c problems there that remain unresolved,” said Gold. “The traffic impacts are such that we really need to be very careful with Balltown right now.” The town is taking a long-term view, though, said Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen. “A few years ago they added St. James,” he said. “And I think they’re trying to add other properties in the town that are commercial areas. So it would be possible for us to be of assistance to them in fi lling properties, getting tenants and having development occur.” .....................>>>>....................>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01103&AppName=1
Low income taxpayers in Schenectady to subsidize the rich developers & busineses even more.....and in the weathiest section of Schdy county!
These businesses have money, and the people of Niskayuna generally have a very good income, they may not be millionaires, but they certainly do not have the typical Schenectady city income of $30,000, the values of the homes, even in this tough economy, have risen (guess DV will have to take the place of SB and try to claim that Nisky values are going down, but he will NOT provide one teeny weeny shred of evidence)
Increase the taxes on the Nisky homeonwers and that will kill St Helen's school.....just what DV whats, he wants ALL children to be educated by the government
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Board member Julie McDonnell pointed out that Metroplex was effective in reviving the former St. James Square
It was NOT the METROPLEX/GILLEN that revived St. James Square..................it was SHOPRITE!!! And I believe that Shoprite landed at St. James due to their own plans for expansion in the capital district.
I thought the Nisky town board folks were smarter than that....no?
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
"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."
It was NOT the METROPLEX/GILLEN that revived St. James Square..................it was SHOPRITE!!! And I believe that Shoprite landed at St. James due to their own plans for expansion in the capital district.
I thought the Nisky town board folks were smarter than that....no?
Correct. Are Metroplex and Gillen going to take credit for Shoprite's expansion into Albany and Bethlehem as well?
It's just another concocted lie!!! Just another money grab! But hey....if the nisky folks are that dumb....then they deserve what they get!!!
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
It's just another concocted lie!!! Just another money grab! But hey....if the nisky folks are that dumb....then they deserve what they get!!!
The people that live in Niskayuna are (I don't think anyway) dumb for the most part. The problem is that the Nisky town board couldn't give a rat's a$$ about what the majority of their constituents want, and also, are easily "bought".
The town government is about as transparent as lead. Similar to Schenectady, they decide before time, what is going to be done, and then they let the public have their little 15 minutes of "fame" at the public access microphone, and then they go and do whatever they were going to do anyway.
I can't recall a single time where "privilege of the floor" has ever influenced or swayed either entity.
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