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Well Ladies and Gentlemen,
Due to the recent economy, suffice to say, there hasn't been much to post on this blog.
So, I'd like your help. If you know of any developments in your area, please email me (alephew at gmail.com) so you can share the good news with everyone! Now since there is much un-development happening, let's report on that as well.
When I created this blog (my first), I did it to help out my previous employers (condo developers) find localized information. This was to aide them in making purchasing decisions, as well as create bank packages to apply for mezzanine funding. My first blog has stretched it's legs since then.
Let's pool our resources to help those who still want to open business in our communities. Anything that you think will help others succeed, or save them from making a poor choice, send it! Pictures, stories, articles, you send it, we'll post it, and of course provide the source (unless anonymity is requested).
Email alephew at gmail.com
Photographer: Unknown
Lack of Development
State approves Albany Medical Center’s $360M expansion projec
The Business Review (Albany)
Albany Medical Center says the State Hospital Review and Planning Council has approved its plans to expand the hospital and construct a $360 million complex to be located at the front of the patient tower that faces the corner of New Scotland and Myrtle avenues.
The six-story complex will take several years to build, Albany Med said. It will include a neonatal intensive care unit, 20 operating rooms, recovery rooms, expanded adult intensive care beds and additional general medical/surgical beds.
Albany Med said the expansion will increase the hospital’s licensed bed capacity from 631 to 714 and meet the projected 3 percent annual increase in its patient population that is expected to happen during the next decade.
The planned architect for the project will be TROJung Brannen of Boston.
Albany Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer James Barba said the expansion is necessary to keep up with an increased demand for services.
“Even during the most difficult economic times, the need for access to emergency and specialty services 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week remains,” he said. “As the region’s only tertiary care center, Albany Medical Center must continue to meet the demand for its unique array of services.”
Albany Medical Center is northeastern New York’s only academic health sciences center. It has about 7,000 staff members.
Voters reject $56.1M school building
By KENNETH C. CROWE II, timesunion.com Staff writer
First published in print: Friday, December 12, 2008
BALLSTON SPA — Voters in the Ballston Spa Central School District defeated by a nearly 2—1 margin Thursday a $56.1 million plan to expand the middle school.
Students in grades six, seven and eight attend classes in the former high school, which was built in the 1950s for 800 students. More than 1,050 use the building now.
"The building is still overcrowded with kids,'' said Stuart Williams, a district spokesman.
The Board of Education will consider what steps should next be taken to deal with the facilities needed at the middle school.
Before the vote, Superintendent Joseph Dragone said the school board went ahead with the proposal despite difficult economic times because the state would cover 79 percent of the cost and taxpayers will pay 21 percent. If the project was approved, the owner of a home valued at $221,000 would see a $120 increase in taxes per year, starting in 2012 until the 15-year bond is paid off.
The campaign to win support from taxpayers for the project also marked the first time the board has turned to a public relations firm for help. In its strategic planned adopted this year, the board voted to spend up to $12,000 on public relations services to help communicate with the public. The board chose Allegory Studios of Saratoga Springs, which works with the board's architect, CSArch Architecture of Albany.
It was Allegory that helped develop the board's slogan, "Build for Tomorrow. Our students, their future."Jordan-Elbridge voters reject turf, approve repairs
by Catie O'Toole / The Post-Standard
Thursday December 11, 2008, 9:45 PM
JORDAN, NY - Voters in the Jordan-Elbridge school district today approved only one of three propositions in a $27 million capital project.
Many repair projects that needed to be done passed, but voters rejected a proposal to install artificial turf and improve the athletic facilities.
Here is a breakdown of the votes:
Proposition 1: Replace a wastewater treatment system at the high school and construct parking; purchase 3 1/2 acres of land east of the high school to construct an off-site storm water retention basin; additions at the high school and renovations to district's four buildings; and replace existing grandstand bleachers with handicapped-accessible seating and create new concession stands, bathrooms and locker rooms.
Cost: No more than $21.9 million.
Vote: Passed, 720-583.
Proposition 2: Consolidation of playing fields at the high school and construction of new baseball and softball fields, refinish existing practice fields, add lighting to the two tennis courts, and build an athletic field where the existing wastewater treatment plant is located.
Cost: No more than $3,387,000.
Vote: Failed, 679-619.
Proposition 3: An artificial turf field at the existing high school stadium.
Cost: No more than $1.76 million.
Vote: Failed, 767-530.
Since only the first proposition passed, the owner of a home assessed at $100,000 will pay $12 a year with Basic STAR, $18.96 a year without STAR and $27 a year with Senior STAR.
The school district plans to pay for the majority of the project using state building aid, state Excel aid and some money from a capital reserve fund.
"Proposition 1 contains a lot of work that we really need to do," Superintendent Marilyn J. Dominick said. "We're thrilled that the community stood behind us."
School officials said they plan to ask the state to expedite the review process and consider the wastewater treatment plant and the storm water retention basin as urgent so they can begin work in the spring.
Meanwhile, the school board will discuss whether it wants to put the two propositions that failed tonight up for a re-vote, Dominick said.
Staff writer Catie O'Toole is working on a complete story for tomorrow's Post-Standard.
SPAC receives $2.5M from state Senate
The Business Review (Albany) - by Adam Sichko The Business Review
SPAC receives $2.5M from state Senate
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center will soon get a face-lift, thanks to $2.5 million from the state Senate.
The funding will pay for a new facade that's modern and environmentally friendly, said Marcia White, the center's president and executive director.
Construction is scheduled to start and end between the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
"It will become the new face of SPAC," White said. "This sends the message that this is a facility moving forward confidently into the future."
The amphitheater's current exterior is the original siding from 1966, when the center first opened. A new facade will be built using a product called "trespa," made mostly of recycled paper and covered with a plastic resin, White said.
"It's easy to maintain, it's long-lasting and it's 100 percent recycled," White said.
The renovations will also install a fiber-optic lighting system that will reduce energy consumption.
In previous years, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick) has directed state funds to the center to replace seating, lighting and rest rooms, and improve the dressing room areas.
"When this project is complete, we will have been able to remake SPAC inside and out," Bruno said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The center's grant comes from a $132 million fund in the 2008-09 state budget for improving state parks throughout the state.
Albany: Construction-related road changes
by Pedro Ramirez III
Thursday May 15, 2008, 7:28 AM
Syracuse, NY -- Here are some of today's construction-related road changes:
I-81
Traffic will be reduced to one lane northbound from Exit 14 (Route 80) to the Tully/Lafayette area from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
Route 174
Construction continues in the village of Marcellus between Main Street and Scotch Hill Road. Traffic is reduced to a single lane between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The road work will continue through the summer.
I-481
Traffic will be reduced to one lane north from Exit 6 (I-90) to Taft Road until Aug. 1. Also, traffic will be reduced to one lane south from Exit 8 (Northern Boulevard) to Exit 7 (Route 298) until Aug. 1.
NY 46
Bridge work continues north of Oneida from I-90 to the Route 365A Junction until Dec. 31. Expect alternating one-way traffic.
US 20
Expect major road construction in both directions from Route 38A Junction East Genesee Street to Auburn East City Line until further notice.
Road construction continues from the Village of Cazenovia to County Route 17 East Lake Road through the summer. There will be intermittent traffic signal work at the State Route 20/13 and County Route 17 intersection. Flaggers will control traffic as needed. I-690
Traffic is reduced to one lane eastbound from Exit 7 (Solvay-Fairgrounds) to Exit 11 (West Street) until May 28.
The left and center lanes will be closed westbound from Exit 14 (Teall) to I-81 until May 28.
Traffic is reduced to 2 lanes west from Exit 10 (Geddes Street) to City of Syracuse until Aug. 1.
The westbound on-ramp from Hiawatha Blvd is closed. Traffic is detoured to Bear Street on-ramp. The eastbound on-ramp from State Fair Boulevard at Willis Avenue, CLOSED until completion of project. NY 690
Long term construction will reduce traffic to one lane in both directions along the bridge over the Seneca River at Route 31 until Aug. 29.
NY 931B; State Fair Blvd
Watch for single lane restrictions and shoulder closures from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily through Monday on the ramp from State Fair Boulevard northbound to Route 695 southbound.
NY 5
Expect construction from the town of Sennett to before County Route 10A. The work will reduce traffic to a single lane from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday.
In Cortland,
Bridge construction continues in both directions of NY 13 at I-81 until Sept. 3. Also, construction is scheduled in both directions of I-81 from Exit 10 (US 11/Route 41) to Exit 13 (Route 281) from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Friday. Expect intermittent shoulder closures. On NY 281 watch for road construction in both directions from Route 222 to Route 13 until Dec. 1.
To report road closings or other traffic-related news, contact staff writer Pedro Ramirez III at pramirez@syracuse.com or at 470-2078.
Syracuse, NY -- Here are some of today's construction-related road changes:
I-81
Traffic will be reduced to one lane northbound from Exit 14 (Route 80) to the Tully/Lafayette area from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
Route 174
Construction continues in the village of Marcellus between Main Street and Scotch Hill Road. Traffic is reduced to a single lane between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The road work will continue through the summer.
I-481
Traffic will be reduced to one lane north from Exit 6 (I-90) to Taft Road until Aug. 1. Also, traffic will be reduced to one lane south from Exit 8 (Northern Boulevard) to Exit 7 (Route 298) until Aug. 1.
NY 46
Bridge work continues north of Oneida from I-90 to the Route 365A Junction until Dec. 31. Expect alternating one-way traffic.
US 20
I-690
NY 690
Long term construction will reduce traffic to one lane in both directions along the bridge over the Seneca River at Route 31 until Aug. 29.
NY 931B; State Fair Blvd
Watch for single lane restrictions and shoulder closures from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily through Monday on the ramp from State Fair Boulevard northbound to Route 695 southbound.
NY 5
Expect construction from the town of Sennett to before County Route 10A. The work will reduce traffic to a single lane from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday.
In Cortland,
Bridge construction continues in both directions of NY 13 at I-81 until Sept. 3. Also, construction is scheduled in both directions of I-81 from Exit 10 (US 11/Route 41) to Exit 13 (Route 281) from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Friday. Expect intermittent shoulder closures. On NY 281 watch for road construction in both directions from Route 222 to Route 13 until Dec. 1.
To report road closings or other traffic-related news, contact staff writer Pedro Ramirez III at pramirez@syracuse.com or at 470-2078.
NY's gas prices fourth highest in country
The Business Review (Albany)
New Yorkers pay more for gas than nearly everyone else in the country, according to AAA.
In New York, the average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is $3.896. That compares with $3.95 in Alaska, $3.94 in Connecticut and $3.93 in California.
Rounding out the top five states with the highest gas prices are Illinois, at $3.894 a gallon, and Hawaii, at $3.891 a gallon.
Gas is cheapest in Arizona, where a gallon averages $3.50.
Syracuse, NY -- Here are today's construction-related road changes:
by Pedro Ramirez III
Tuesday May 13, 2008, 6:14 AM
I-81
The right lane will be closed southbound at Exit 15 (US 20) from about 8:38 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route 174
Construction continues in the village of Marcellus between Main Street and Scotch Hill Road. Traffic is reduced to a single lane between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The road work will continue through the summer.
I-481
Traffic will be reduced to one lane north from Exit 6 (I-90) to Taft Road until Aug. 1. Also, traffic will be reduced to one lane south from Exit 8 (Northern Boulevard) to Exit 7 (Route 298) until Aug. 1.
NY 46
Bridge work continues north of Oneida from I-90 to the Route 365A Junction until Dec. 31. Expect alternating one-way traffic.
US 20
Expect major road construction in both directions from Route 38A Junction East Genesee Street to Auburn East City Line until further notice.
Road construction continues from the Village of Cazenovia to County Route 17 East Lake Road through the summer. There will be intermittent traffic signal work at the State Route 20/13 and County Route 17 intersection. Flaggers will control traffic as needed. I-690
The left and center lanes will be closed westbound from Exit 14 (Teall) to I-81 until May 28.
Traffic will be reduced to two lanes east from the Syracuse city line to Exit 9 (Bear Street) until Aug. 1.
Traffic is reduced to 2 lanes west from Exit 10 (Geddes Street) to City of Syracuse until Aug. 1.
The westbound on-ramp from Hiawatha Blvd is closed. Traffic is detoured to Bear Street on-ramp. The eastbound on-ramp from State Fair Boulevard at Willis Avenue, CLOSED until completion of project. NY 690
Long term construction will reduce traffic to one lane in both directions along the bridge over the Seneca River at Route 31 until Aug. 29.
NY 5
Expect construction from the town of Sennett to before County Route 10A. The work will reduce traffic to a single lane from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday.
In Cortland,
Bridge construction continues in both directions of NY 13 at I-81 until Sept. 3. Also, construction is scheduled in both directions of I-81 from Exit 10 (US 11/Route 41) to Exit 13 (Route 281) from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Friday. Expect intermittent shoulder closures.
To report road closings or other traffic-related news, contact staff writer Pedro Ramirez III at pramirez@syracuse.com or at 470-2078.
The right lane will be closed southbound at Exit 15 (US 20) from about 8:38 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route 174
Construction continues in the village of Marcellus between Main Street and Scotch Hill Road. Traffic is reduced to a single lane between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The road work will continue through the summer.
I-481
Traffic will be reduced to one lane north from Exit 6 (I-90) to Taft Road until Aug. 1. Also, traffic will be reduced to one lane south from Exit 8 (Northern Boulevard) to Exit 7 (Route 298) until Aug. 1.
NY 46
Bridge work continues north of Oneida from I-90 to the Route 365A Junction until Dec. 31. Expect alternating one-way traffic.
US 20
I-690
NY 690
Long term construction will reduce traffic to one lane in both directions along the bridge over the Seneca River at Route 31 until Aug. 29.
NY 5
Expect construction from the town of Sennett to before County Route 10A. The work will reduce traffic to a single lane from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday.
In Cortland,
Bridge construction continues in both directions of NY 13 at I-81 until Sept. 3. Also, construction is scheduled in both directions of I-81 from Exit 10 (US 11/Route 41) to Exit 13 (Route 281) from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Friday. Expect intermittent shoulder closures.
To report road closings or other traffic-related news, contact staff writer Pedro Ramirez III at pramirez@syracuse.com or at 470-2078.
Developers seeking zoning change to build health care campus in Halfmoon
By ALAN WECHSLER, Business writer
First published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
HALFMOON -- Plans for a hospital and medical research campus in this town got lots of support -- and a few questions as well -- during a Planning Board meeting Monday night.
The complex would be built on 81 acres on Route 146, less than two miles east of Route 9, and include a hospital and eight other buildings. The hospital would measure about 225,000 square feet and have 120 beds. Backers say it would cost about $120 million.
Two other buildings would be 80,000 square feet each, and the rest would be smaller. The buildings would range from two to five stories.
The town is being asked to change the zoning for the site, currently agricultural-residential, to planned development district.
The Planning Board is expected to meet again in two weeks to decide whether to recommend the zoning change to the Town Board, which then must hold a public hearing before deciding.
Many who spoke at the meeting were in favor of the project. One was Irene Maxwell, 68, who lives in East Greenbush with her husband, Robert.
In 2003, as a resident of Halfmoon, she suffered severe bleeding from the blood thinner she was taking. An ambulance was called.
From the time of the phone call, it took her 40 minutes to get to a hospital in Troy.
"When you're in that ambulance," she said Monday, "it seems like forever."
Promoters say the hospital is needed because southern Saratoga County has grown in population in recent years, and nearby hospitals are too far away for emergency cases.
Backers need a certificate of need from the state Department of Health to operate the hospital, which would include an emergency room and maternity care. They also need developers to build the facilities -- Boni is seeking only to get the necessary approvals to make the site shovel-ready -- and an existing hospital to run it.
"I've had cordial conversations with everyone I've talked to, but no one will commit," said Kevin Dailey, a Clifton Park attorney who represents Boni. "Until you have a zoning change, it's all speculative."
Several Town Board members present at the meeting said they were in favor of the hospital.
"A parent might breathe easier knowing a facility is closer," board member Regina Parker said after the meeting. "But it has to be great health care."
Supervisor Mindy Wormuth agreed. "I don't see a downside for the town," she said.
But there were some concerns.
John Cuttita, chairman of the Clifton Park Fire Department, said the town's ladder truck could not reach the upper floors of a five-story hospital. Others said they would support the project only if the hospital were built first, before the other buildings.
"We'll work with them," Dailey said after the meeting.
Alan Wechsler can be reached at 454-5469 or by e-mail at awechsler@timesunion.com.More about Halfmoon Healthcare
Attendance options under fire
Board will look at choices tonight for realignment in North Syracuse schools.
More than 130 Clay parents have signed a petition opposing one of the three final options for realigning North Syracuse's middle schools and adjusting enrollment figures, and many plan to speak out at tonight's school board meeting.
The parents, from the Lawton Valley/Cherry Estates area of Clay, said the realignment committee's top option of sending all fifth- and sixth-graders from the Karl W. Saile Bear Road Elementary School zone to Roxboro Road Middle School in Mattydale rather than Gillette Road Middle School in Cicero "makes no sense." All Smith Road Elementary School fifth- and sixth-graders would go to Gillette.
Previously, children from the Bear Road and Smith Road zones were split between Gillette and Roxboro middle schools.
"It boggles my mind that this is their decision when we live so close to Gillette. . . . For us who live in this area, it would be a real hardship to send our kids all the way to Mattydale, almost to Syracuse," said one parent, Ellen Kotzin, whose children attend second and third grade at Bear Road. "People moved here with the intention of going to specific schools. . . . If they choose this plan, people will find a way to get out of it."
The enrollment at Gillette is nearing capacity, while the enrollment at Roxboro Road is
declining, district officials say. The district is looking to better balance the enrollment between the two buildings and formed a 25-member volunteer committee in January.
The committee, with parents, staff and administrators from both middle schools, created seven possible realignment scenarios and selected three final options.
North Syracuse Superintendent Jerome Melvin said no decision will be made today. Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Steve Carr, who headed the committee, will present more data about the three final options today and the board will likely make a decision later this month, Melvin said.
He said he knows some parents are upset by the options, but he declined to comment on their specific concerns.
Kotzin said parents have a number of concerns with one of the options, which she said is the committee's top choice: a longer bus ride to Roxboro compared to Gillette; pupils traveling in a bus along interstate highways; a longer drive for parents to attend school events and pick up children from extracurricular activities; the speed of implementing a plan for September; buses for both Roxboro and Gillette going through the neighborhood; and the splitting of older and younger siblings who would have otherwise attended the same school.
The committee has stated that the benefits of this option include keeping children who live near Roxboro at that school; keeping all seventh-graders in their current schools; and bringing each building to about 91 percent enrollment capacity, according to information packets given to district parents.
The committee acknowledged in the packets that busing, splitting up siblings and scheduling conflicts for families are concerns. However, the information states only three Bear Road families would have siblings that have to attend different schools.
Sapna Kollali can be reached at skollali@syracuse.com or 470-3257.
Sculpture in the Streets returning to Albany June 13
The Business Review (Albany)
Sculpture in the Streets, an installation of large works of figural and abstract art, is returning to downtown Albany, N.Y., this summer.
Eighteen sculptures created by 14 artists will grace downtown sidewalks beginning June 13 and continue for 10 months.
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District will kick-off the event June 13 with a garden party and silent auction fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. at Tricentennial Park at Broadway and Columbia Street.
Tickets are $75 ($50 for young professionals under 35). For more information and to RSVP, call the BID at 465-2143.
Last year's Sculpture in the Streets program raised more than $33,000 through corporate sponsorships, the party and auction. That money helped underwrite the cost of this year's installation and future arts-related events downtown.
The exhibition features large-scale works made of steel, plywood, iron, stainless steel, fiber-optic lights and wood. The 14 artists come from the Albany region, New York City and Massachusetts.
"The exhibition of these works by extremely talented regional artists, coupled with downtown's many galleries, museums, attractions and entertainment venues, underscores our creative and culturally rich community while giving patrons another reason to visit Albany's revitalized downtown district," said Albany BID Executive Director Pamela Tobin.
The presenting sponsor will again be Kivort Steel, a full-service warehouse and distributor of steel, stainless steel and aluminum products in Waterford.
Additional funding has been provided by Omni Development Co. Inc., CSArch Architecture and Construction Management and Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP. Individual sculpture installations are sponsored by the Beltrone Group, NBT Bank, Palace Theatre and Tri-City Rentals/Massry Rental Partners.
The exhibition is curated by Sarah Martinez, executive director of Albany Center Gallery; Benji Fox of Omni Development Co., and Kathleen Triem and Peter Franck of F:T Architecture in Ghent.
For more information go to www.downtownalbany.org or e-mail bmcewing@downtownalbany.org.
Construction-related road changes
by Pedro Ramirez III
Monday May 12, 2008, 7:32 AM
Syracuse, NY -- Here are today's construction-related road changes: Route 174
Construction continues in the village of Marcellus between Main Street and Scotch Hill Road. Traffic is reduced to a single lane between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The road work will continue through the summer.
I-481
Traffic will be reduced to one lane north from Exit 6 (I-90) to Taft Road until Aug. 1. Also, traffic will be reduced to one lane south from Exit 8 (Northern Boulevard) to Exit 7 (Route 298) until Aug. 1.
NY 46
Bridge work continues north of Oneida from I-90 to the Route 365A Junction until Dec. 31. Expect alternating one-way traffic.
US 20
Expect major road construction in both directions from Route 38A Junction East Genesee Street to Auburn East City Line until further notice.
Road construction continues from the Village of Cazenovia to County Route 17 East Lake Road through the summer. There will be intermittent traffic signal work at the State Route 20/13 and County Route 17 intersection. Flaggers will control traffic as needed. I-690
The left and center lanes will be closed westbound from Exit 14 (Teall) to I-81 until May 28.
Traffic will be reduced to two lanes east from the Syracuse city line to Exit 9 (Bear Street) until Aug. 1.
Traffic is reduced to 2 lanes west from Exit 10 (Geddes Street) to City of Syracuse until Aug. 1.
The westbound on-ramp from Hiawatha Blvd is closed. Traffic is detoured to Bear Street on-ramp. The eastbound on-ramp from State Fair Boulevard at Willis Avenue, CLOSED until completion of project. NY 690
Bridge construction continues northbound at Route 31 until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Expect alternating lane closures.
NY 5
Expect construction from the town of Sennett to before County Route 10A. The work will reduce traffic to a single lane from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday.
In Cortland,
Bridge construction continues in both directions of NY 13 at I-81 until Sept. 3. Also, construction is scheduled in both directions of I-81 from Exit 10 (US 11/Route 41) to Exit 13 (Route 281) from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Friday. Expect intermittent shoulder closures.
To report road closings or other traffic-related news, contact staff writer Pedro Ramirez III at pramirez@syracuse.com or at 470-2078.
Route 174
Construction continues in the village of Marcellus between Main Street and Scotch Hill Road. Traffic is reduced to a single lane between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The road work will continue through the summer.
I-481
Traffic will be reduced to one lane north from Exit 6 (I-90) to Taft Road until Aug. 1. Also, traffic will be reduced to one lane south from Exit 8 (Northern Boulevard) to Exit 7 (Route 298) until Aug. 1.
NY 46
Bridge work continues north of Oneida from I-90 to the Route 365A Junction until Dec. 31. Expect alternating one-way traffic.
US 20
I-690
NY 690
Bridge construction continues northbound at Route 31 until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Expect alternating lane closures.
NY 5
Expect construction from the town of Sennett to before County Route 10A. The work will reduce traffic to a single lane from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday.
In Cortland,
Bridge construction continues in both directions of NY 13 at I-81 until Sept. 3. Also, construction is scheduled in both directions of I-81 from Exit 10 (US 11/Route 41) to Exit 13 (Route 281) from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Friday. Expect intermittent shoulder closures.
To report road closings or other traffic-related news, contact staff writer Pedro Ramirez III at pramirez@syracuse.com or at 470-2078.
Governor Announces $2.42 Million for Brownfield Projects
More than $2.42 million in Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants have been announced for the investigation of contamination at brownfield sites in nine communities across New York State, including a $348,700 grant for the Town of Warrensburg in Warren County. Warrensburg will use its grant to investigate the nature and scope of contamination at a former paper mill on the Schroon River, with the goal of transforming the site into a recreation area with river access. All grants are funded through New York State's ERP, under the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
"New York State's Environmental Restoration Program is the best in the nation, helping local communities investigate and remediate contaminated sites, revitalize dormant properties and improve their quality of life," Governor Pataki said. "The Warrensburg grant will transform an abandoned property into a vibrant recreational site that will provide local residents and tourists with greater access to the beauty of the Adirondacks."
Long Island developer secures option to buy abandoned Amsterdam mill
The former Chalmers Knitting Millwill become a mixed-use development
with office, retail and residential buildings
The Business Review (Albany) - by Michael DeMasi The Business Review
City leaders in Amsterdam, N.Y., approved an option with developer Uri Kaufman to sell an abandoned textile mill for $138,000 that Kaufman wants to convert into upscale apartments.
The Common Council voted 4-1 on May 6 to approve the sale of the former Chalmers Knitting Co. buildings on the city's south side, according to Mayor Ann Thane.
Kaufman, a Long Island developer who has bought other run-down mills in the Albany region for redevelopment projects, wants to convert the roughly 275,000 square feet of space into about 200 apartments.
The mill buildings closed in the 1980s. They are located at one end of a planned $16 million pedestrian bridge that would link both sides of the city, which straddles the Mohawk River.
Thane, a former museum director who took office in January, is a big supporter of the project, but she knows there is some skepticism in the community as evidenced by the "no" vote from 1st Ward Councilman Joseph Isabel.
"Amsterdam has had many people come through here before and make false promises," Thane said. "There is some trepidation because of past experience, but the fact is this is a very good developer with a good track record and the financial resources to back up his promises."
Kaufman redeveloped the former Harmony Mills in Cohoes into a 96-unit loft apartment building. He plans to renovate the other half of the mill into 141 additional units once he gets the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to approve mortgage insurance on a $24 million construction loan.
In February, Kaufman bought the old Victory Specialty Packaging plant near Schuylerville for $50,000. He's also talking to officials in Schenectady about possibly redeveloping part of the old American Locomotive Co. plant along the Mohawk River.
Albany, Schenectady airports receive federal funding for improvements
The Business Review (Albany)
Two area airports have received nearly $2.5 million in federal funds to buy property, install new lighting and to remove trees and other obstructions near runways.
New York senators, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer, said Albany International Airport and Schenectady County Airport were awarded grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Albany airport will spend a combined $1.66 million removing trees and other obstructions from two runways. The airport will acquire about 12 parcels of property as part of the work, according to the grants.
Property to be acquired includes land belonging to the Shaker Ridge Country Club, said airport spokesman Doug Myers. Albany Shaker Road cuts off the property from the rest of the golf course, so the country club no longer has a use for it, he said.
Myers said he didn't know the acreage of the property.
Also, some of the federal funds will be used to secure easements and air rights on other properties that need trees to be topped off or removed because they are tall enough to interfere with aircraft approaches into the airport, Myers said. That will include work at Memory's Garden Inc., a nonprofit memorial park and cemetery in Colonie.
The Schenectady County Airport will spend $275,000 replacing its rotation beacon and lights on one of its taxiways. Both are more than 20 years old and beyond repair, the grants say.
That airport will also spend $515,000 to remove "off-airport obstructions" to increase safety, according to the grants.
Albany airport board approves Capitaland Taxi's request for $1-per-ride surcharge
The Business Review (Albany)
Cabs under contract at Albany International Airport have been granted permission to add a $1 surcharge per ride.
The Albany County Airport Authority Board approved the measure yesterday, allowing Capitaland Taxi to add the surcharge.
"When we signed the contract with them in 2005, gas was about $2.21 a gallon," said Doug Myers, the airport's spokesman. "It's approaching $3.80 right now. They requested the increase because their cost of operation is going up so much."
Myers said the board received the request last week.
"We reacted very quickly," Myers said. "We understand their concern." He said Capitaland can begin adding the surcharge as soon as it has proper signage inside its cabs.
The board rejected Capitaland's request to add another 50 cent surcharge per ride if gas rises above $3.80 a gallon.
"We don't see that yet," he said. "They may have to come back before us again."
Halfmoon holding meeting to discuss $50M Healthcare and Biomedical Research Campus
The Business Review (Albany)
The Town of Halfmoon Planning Board will hold an informational meeting on May 12 to discuss plans for an estimated $50 million Healthcare and Biomedical Research Campus in the Saratoga County town.
The applicant, Boni Enterprises LLC of Clifton Park, is seeking a change of zoning to permit the establishment of a planned development district on 81 acres on Route 146, about one and a half miles east of Route 9.
The plan, first announced in 2006, calls for a campus with a 160,000-square-foot biomedical research facility and an 82,000-square-foot medical office building. It is intended to serve southern Saratoga County, which has a population of about 112,000 but no hospital.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Halfmoon Town Hall. Boni is being represented by Clifton Park attorney Kevin Dailey.
'I LOVE NY' gets first makeover in 31 years
The Business Review (Albany)
New York state has announced a revitalized marketing strategy for its venerable tourism brand promotion, "I LOVE NY."
The $17 million campaign was put together by Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agency and is geared to drive up the number of visitors by nearly a third to the Empire State -- to 200 million by 2020 from 155 million in 2006. State officials also hope to reap more dollars, jumping to $60 billion per year from the current level of $47 billion. In addition, the tourism industry is responsible for over 740,000 jobs in the state.
The ad effort, featuring enhancements to the promotion's logo, will focus on print publications, guerilla marketing and viral and digital marketing and incorporate sponsorships with airlines JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic and travel companies Orbitz and Travelocity.
State officials said this marks the first upgrade of the "I LOVE NY" campaign in 31 years.
State to spend $40M to build new food lab
The Business Review (Albany)
The state food laboratory will remain in the Albany, N.Y., region, creating a new development opportunity, state officials announced Tuesday.
The 2008-09 state budget includes $40 million for the construction of a new building to house the food lab, which has 42 employees. The lab's current home, in the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany, is outdated and in need of "major renovations" to accommodate new testing procedures, officials said.
State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said his office will immediately start working on finding a location in the Albany area that is suitable for the new lab. The lab tests food meant for human or animal consumption, as well as wine and liquor. It also tests for pesticides in fruits, vegetables and public drinking water.
The announcement evidently ends the possibility that the lab would move to Cornell University's food technology park in Geneva, an idea raised during for Gov. George Pataki's time in office.
Columbia Development eyes 20 Albany parcels
The Business Review (Albany) - by Michael DeMasi The Business Review
A two-block stretch of homes near Albany Medical Center would be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use development under plans being pursued by the city and Columbia Development Cos.
The east side of New Scotland Avenue between Myrtle and Dana avenues is being eyed for a development whose details are still being sorted out.
"We're in the very formative stages of what we're trying to do there," said Joe Nicolla, president of Columbia.
Ideas under consideration include an 80,000-square-foot to 120,000-square- foot development with ground floor retail, said Megan Daly, deputy commissioner of development and planning for the city.
Residential uses are not planned for the upper floors at this time, she said.
There are about 20 parcels on the two-block section of the street, most of which are single or multi-family homes. Many are vacant.
There are also two vacant lots and two commercial tenants, including a convenience store.
The city was awarded a $3.3 million grant from the state Restore-NY program to pay for demolition and construction costs. Without the grant, Nicolla said, the project wouldn't be feasible.
The Albany Local Development Corp. has negotiated contracts with the owners of all the parcels, Daly said, but doesn't own them. The state grant doesn't cover acquisition costs.
Columbia Development is interested in the site because of its success developing the 129-room Hilton Garden Inn on New Scotland Avenue across from the hospital. The $20 million hotel opened last summer.
Separately, the hospital announced plans in late February to build a six-story, $360 million expansion at the corner of New Scotland and Myrtle avenues.
The New Scotland Avenue redevelopment is around the corner from a $13.5 million gut rehab of 18 run down houses on Knox Street in the Park South neighborhood.
It hasn't been determined whether Columbia Development or the ALDC will end up buying the 20 properties on New Scotland Avenue, but the purchases are expected to be wrapped up by late spring or summer.
"It is 100 percent our intention to honor the contracts and close on these properties," said Michael Yevoli, commissioner of development and planning. "How to do it is something we're doing an analysis of internally, on what makes the best sense."
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