I would have to say that although the Draper School may be a good place, the Capitol Plaza is definitely a more centralized location, with the entrances / exits to Curry Road and Altamont Ave.
However, it's hardly the "center" of town. It's 1/2 mile to the city line down Altamont, a mile to the Guilderland border down curry - at least 12 miles from Rotterdam Junction, gotta be 5-6miles to Rotterdam Square and the Burdeck St / Rt 7 corridor. It's also a PITA to get into and out of the parking areas, especially during rush hour on Curry Road and flooding of the parking lot is an issue as well.
It'd take serious money, time and labor (ie studies) to make this suitable for a "public safety" building, whereas Curry Rd Shopping Center, Draper School, even the corner of Guilderland/Curry would be, I would think, more hospitable and closer and easily accessible to the central parts of town.
I think Capital Plaza should not even be an option. For one, it's location is in Rotterdam's retail area. Not a good fit. I also have heard that Mohonasen is interested in the old Draper School.
And before I would be seeking out land/buildings that would cost the taxpayers by paying for a new location PLUS by taking property off of our tax rolls, I would get bids on what it would cost to refurbish and expand the existing building we already own.
IF that is not a sound financial move and purchasing new land for a new building is the only option, the triangle that Judy Dagostino sold to Mr. Larned appears to be a perfect fit to me. IMHO
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
The town has already said that they want the new town complex to be located near the 5 corners area as there's easy access to all areas of the town from that location.
really? I wasnt sure if they had a town hall or not. Is it in Princetown?
Why would the Duanesburg Town Hall be located in Princetown? Yes we have a town hall, it is very modest and not nearly large enough to accomodate our needs, but we do have one. You should come out and visit us sometime. We even have running water and indoor toilets
The town has already said that they want the new town complex to be located near the 5 corners area as there's easy access to all areas of the town from that location.
Why would the Duanesburg Town Hall be located in Princetown? Yes we have a town hall, it is very modest and not nearly large enough to accomodate our needs, but we do have one. You should come out and visit us sometime. We even have running water and indoor toilets
This is regarding the Aug. 8 letter from Thomas DeLorenzo about Capitol Plaza and Walgreens. I have never been to a Walgreens, and from the way they bullied into the Capitol Plaza, forcing everyone to move to new locations and then not taking over the nowempty space, I don’t think I want to visit a Walgreens. That aside, I agree with Mr. DeLorenzo [who suggested turning the plaza into a public safety building]. Most of the town residents I spoke to in the past were not happy with the plaza emptying out to make way for yet another drug store, but town officials decided to go ahead with it anyway. Now let’s make this plaza into something useful again. Mr. DeLorenzo’s suggestion is a good one and it should be looked into. JANN CHASE Schenectady
Not a good idea indeed. Besides that spot where the town hall is would be empty since it is smak - dap in a residential neighborhood and they wont tolerate some business going in overe there at all. All you would be doing is raising our taxes. Fix up town hall a little and the policemen should get the state of the arts headquarters to keep up with the criminials since they tell me they cant fight crime with how it is going now in that old building
'The Town' cant tell private businesses or homeowners whom they can sell/or not sell too......they only make designations of areas based on our Comprehensive Plan,,,,of which we seem to be lacking.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Intersection too busy for new Rotterdam police station
Re Aug. 8 letter, “Town should use Capitol Plaza for own business,” by Thomas E. DeLorenzo: First of all, I believe that Rotterdam police do need to look into getting a new station. I also am a little upset that a plaza that was there for so long was to be demolished for yet another drugstore. I have talked to a few people since hearing that Walgreens had decided against bringing their business to this busy intersection. When I was speaking with them, I favored putting the new police station there. I have since changed my mind. Why? First, have you ever tried to drive through Curry Road/Altamont Avenue during rush hour? What do you think would be the consequence of the authorities needing to respond out of an entrance onto either one of these streets during this busy time of day? Second, think of the additional time this would add to responses for the entire town, including Rotterdam Junction and Pattersonville. They are all part of the Rotterdam budget, overseen by the Rotterdam Town Board and protected by Rotterdam police. Let’s look at how much more time it would take to respond to a call in Pattersonville (since it is the most outlying area). This is an additional two miles, or five to 10 minutes depending on traffic, for any response. While I realize they would be responding with lights and sirens when someone is calling 911 for an emergency, do you want the response to be that much slower? While this may be a good central location for Rotterdam proper, we need to think of all areas of town while making these decisions, not just the parts people think about every day. I do believe we need to make this plaza area into something that could be used by everyone. While I don’t see Mr. DeLorenzo’s idea as best, maybe the plaza could be rebuilt into something to better the town, such as a new town hall or community center. Or, as another idea, maybe take down the entire thing and bring in someone else who wants to expand the town and county tax bases. KEVIN MARCH Rotterdam
Walgreens plan for Rotterdam plaza back on Thursday, August 21, 2008 By Justin Mason (Contact) Gazette Reporter
ROTTERDAM — Plans for a Walgreens at the former Capitol Plaza are back on the table.
Less than three weeks after a spokeswoman disclosed the Illinois-based pharmacy was no longer interested in building a 14,700-square-foot store on the bustling corner of Altamont Avenue and Curry Road, a developer under contract with the company said plans are back on track. Bob Blank, a principal with HDB and a developer for the chain drug store, said he is anticipating preliminary work on the building to begin sometime next month.
“I’m going to move forward,” he said today. “We plan on proceeding with the plan as presented to the town.”
Town officials confirmed Blank’s intentions. Town Planning Commission Chairman Lawrence DiLallo said he met with Blank today to discuss advancing the project in accordance with what the town approved in 2006. “He’s telling us he’s confident in the next couple of weeks, he’ll be able to resolve his contract issues with [Capitol Plaza owner] Jeff Musiker and go forward with the deal,” he said.
In 2005, developers proposed demolishing the kitschy 1950s-era shopping plaza to make way for the chain pharmacy and a 65-space parking lot. The project faced numerous setbacks, including a lengthy relocation of the plaza’s 14 business tenants and the acquisition of a sliver of state Department of Transportation-owned land adjacent to the plaza. The last business left the plaza in February, and Blank had initially discussed demolishing the structure in March.
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