Waterfront development in the works Tuesday, March 18, 2014 By Kathleen Moore (Contact) Gazette Reporter Text Size: A | A
Photographer: Marc Schultz The Galesi-owned Alco site along Erie Boulevard in Schenectady is pictured on Monday.SCHENECTADY — Invisible remnants of the Alco locomotive plant are about to be removed to make way for a waterfront brimming with people.
Condos, restaurants and even a casino have been discussed for the site along Erie Boulevard.
But before people can move in, chlorine solvents from the plant’s years as a manufacturing facility must move out.
The largely empty site has chlorine solvents in the soil and groundwater. DEC spokesman Rick Georgeson said the solvents were typical manufacturing chemicals.
On Monday, DEC issued a proposed cleanup plan to make the area habitable for its next use.
The plan has been long awaited by the many groups that have worked to find a way to redevelop the site.
“This is another step forward,” said Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen, adding that the project is now well on its way.
The solvents may be partially destroyed by injecting a substrate into the ground to speed up the natural oxidation of the solvents, according to DEC’s plan.
Substrates that work on various contaminants include nutritional yeast, hydrogen peroxide and vegetable oil, according to DEC officials. They said the substrate for the Alco site hasn’t yet been determined.
But the contamination is so significant that soil must be removed from the site as well, according to DEC.
The agency plans to monitor the groundwater to gauge whether the injection worked.
The cleanup must be successful before developer Galesi Group can move on to the next phase of the project.
Photo Provided
The plan to cleanup the former ALCO site in Schenectady is divided into three sections, as shown. The DEC has opened up the plan for public comment. “They wouldn’t be allowed to live there if it wasn’t safe. That’s the whole goal of the remediation,” Georgeson said.
The plan hasn’t been finalized yet.
Galesi will implement the final cleanup plan, for which the company has received a grant. Galesi is also eligible for tax credits under the brownfield program, Gillen said.
The entire cleanup should be complete by the end of 2015, but most of the site will be clean by the end of 2014, DEC said.
It’s not yet clear what will be built on the site. Several people looking for casino locations have toured it, said David Buicko, chief operation officer of Galesi Group.
The site is nearly 60 acres, so there are plenty of options.
“I’ve been approached by people who want us to consider the site for a big-box store, more residential, a movie production studio,” Buicko said last week. “We have a great site here, and whether somebody wants to put a movie studio or a big-box store or a casino in, we’re interested if it helps Schenectady.”
The first phase of the project includes a national hotel chain, an upscale apartment complex, a block of condominiums, retail space, a banquet facility and a marina.
A bike path and other riverfront amenities are also in the works.
I CAN SEE THE LAWSUITS COMING IN FROM RESIDENTS THAT WILL BE LIVING IN THE "UPSCALE APARTMENTS" THAT WILL BE BUILT ON THIS TOXIC WASTE LAND. PEOPLE WILL GET SICK LIVING ON THIS LAND! I GUESS THE GALESI GROUP HAS LOTS OF MONEY TO PAY THE SICK VICTIMS. THIS MIGHT BANKRUPT THE GALESI GROUP!
This is not what Metroplex was created for. Metroplex was supposed to be gone by now. That property was once a bone of contention as scarce, valuable industrial property, now we chase away industry and screw the neighborhoods by building more residential areas.
The Galesi Group got 60 acres for $100,000. Was there ever a bidding process so other developers could have an equal opportunity to own this property? There is no transperacy from the COUNTY DEMS IT IS ALL ABOUT COLLECTING CAMPAIGN MONEY FROM GALESI. The County could have yielded more than a measly $100,000 for this parcel of land if there was a open bidding process from other developers.
I CAN SEE THE LAWSUITS COMING IN FROM RESIDENTS THAT WILL BE LIVING IN THE "UPSCALE APARTMENTS" THAT WILL BE BUILT ON THIS TOXIC WASTE LAND. PEOPLE WILL GET SICK LIVING ON THIS LAND! I GUESS THE GALESI GROUP HAS LOTS OF MONEY TO PAY THE SICK VICTIMS. THIS MIGHT BANKRUPT THE GALESI GROUP!
Almost all of Schenectady county is a wasteland. Between GE, Alco and SI Group.
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
He's not really leading though, he's just following in the footsteps of failed former mayor BS.
Former Mayor Brian Stratton is laughing all the way to the bank right now! Knowing he left a huge pile of dog poop for McThug to pick up. Too bad McThug finds himself rolling in it and guess what voters and dog owners will be heading to the polls in 2015 to bite him in the buttocks.
Many brownfield sites across the country have been successfully cleaned up, redeveloped and are now generating much needed positive economic growth. This site is ripe for redevelopment - so let's get it cleaned up and build out as quickly as possible.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
With the length of time it will take to "clean up" and then complete all the sub surface infrastruture (sewers,water lines etc.) it;s unlikely that any bldgs. will be erected this year. As far as a casino that is unlikely as well due to the aforementioned delays. And this does not even take into account the matter of that quaint little atomic facility. And in the long run the steel plant eyesore. Both eyesores flanking a multimillion dollar, upscale, brand new investment. This view will hardly be appealing to hotelers, shoppers, and residents who buy a condo, whom, one can be sure, will not envision that view as one of a "riverview". Or when one goes out onto a patio/deck only to see mounds of rusty steel and related equipment in their backyard. Look for taxpayers dollars via the Plex to figure prominently in their respective relocations.
Many brownfield sites across the country have been successfully cleaned up, redeveloped and are now generating much needed positive economic growth. This site is ripe for redevelopment - so let's get it cleaned up and build out as quickly as possible.
GE is keeping a small crew in Schenectady forever.
If they left completely the GE plant would require trillions to clean it up.
The dumped toxic waste out back of buildings 81 and 85 for almost a hundred years.
they will remove the dirt and put it in larnard's yard or at the rotterdam compost facility.....
DILUTION IS THE SOLUTION!
Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid - John Wayne
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