ROTTERDAM Firm has eye on Curry Road site BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.
New plans are afoot to redevelop the dilapidated Curry Road Shopping Center into offices and 184 units of affordable senior housing. Representatives from the Clifton Park-based Forum Industries pitched the project before members of the Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency last week. Under the preliminary plans, all of the existing buildings on the 10 acres of town-owned land would be demolished and two three-story buildings would be erected toward the rear of the property. The developer is also proposing to build a 12,000-square-foot retailcommercial building and a 2,000-square-foot space for the existing Trustco Bank near Curry Road. Andrew Sciocchetti of Forum Industries said the project would be made possible through tax credits from the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal and would request funding through the IDA. “Their backing is essential to making sure the project is affordable,” he said this week. The residential component of the project would include oneand two-bedroom units with 1,000 square feet of space or less each. Prospective tenants would have to be 55 or older and would have rent at an amount consistent with state guidelines. “It’s a great fit for the site,” he said. Plans for the new project come about a month after Polito-Columbia Properties LLC determined the property would cost too much to develop for residential use due to environmental contamination at the former site of Don’s Laundry. Dan Polito, a principal with the company, said cleaning the contamination would make building 94 two-bedroom condominiums financially unfeasible. Sciocchetti said his company has discussed its plans with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and said the project would include clearing any residual chemicals on the property before breaking ground. He said the cleanup would be done by either his company or the Golub Corp., which still owns two acres that would be used by the project. Officials from Golub could not be reached for comment Wednesday. However, DEC spokesman Rick Georgeson said his agency was aware of Forum’s plans and has indicated what must be done to build housing on the lot. “The site can be developed [for residential use],” he said. “It just has to meet standards.” Supervisor Steve Tommasone said the town has no binding contract with Polito-Columbia and could take action to begin negotiations with Forum Industries later this month. He was encouraged by the plan and said it pretty much fi t with the type of development the town had envisioned on the property. Forum Industries was among the 80 companies contacted when Rotterdam officials requested proposals to redevelop the site in April 2007. The measure cost the........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01302
Rotterdam officials will pursue a project to transform the decaying Curry Road Shopping Center into offices and 184 units of affordable senior housing. Members of the Town Board agreed to give the Clifton Parkbased Forum Industries “preferred developer” status so that the company can begin negotiating for the rights to build on the municipally owned property. Meanwhile, the developer has already begun discussions with the Golub Corp., which operates a print shop in a building there that would be demolished as part of the project. “This is the first step of many,” developer Andrew Sciocchetti told the Town Board last week . The project includes a 12,000-square-foot, retail-commercial building and a 2,000-square-foot bank along Curry Road. At the rear of the propery, a pair of L-shaped buildings would include one- and two-bedroom units for tenants 55 or older. Besides reducing the number of curb cuts onto Curry Road, Sciocchetti said, the project would aim to restore green space to the property, which is largely covered by pavement. He said his company would also convey a small slice of land to the adjacent Rotterdam Fire District 2, thereby allowing the company to move forward with its own expansion plans. Sciocchetti said they’re hopeful the project would qualify for tax credits through the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal and would fill a growing need in the area. He said market trends suggest the shopping center site would be ideal for such a project. “We feel the market is right,” he told the board. Supervisor Steve Tommasone praised the proposal for redeveloping what has been a town eyesore for decades. He cautioned the project would take more than a “few months,” but was optimistic the derelict property would soon be revitalized. “Most likely by next year, there will be steel going up on this site,” he said. Forum Industries was among the 80 companies contacted when Rotterdam officials requested proposals to redevelop the site in April 2007. Board members received back only four proposals and ultimately selected a mixed residential and commercial project by Polito-Columbia Properties LLC. The Polito-Columbia proposal was scrapped in February after the developer indicated chemical contamination on the property would prevent building the residential component. Then last month Forum Industries approached the Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency with the proposal for senior housing. Former board member Robert Godlewski criticized the town for not appealing to the other companies that had expressed interest in developing the property. He said Forum’s proposal was very similar to one of the three proposals the town didn’t initially select. “I’ll let the public decide whether you’re being fair to all the other developers,” he told the board during their meeting.
Former board member Robert Godlewski criticized the town for not appealing to the other companies that had expressed interest in developing the property. He said Forum’s proposal was very similar to one of the three proposals the town didn’t initially select. “I’ll let the public decide whether you’re being fair to all the other developers,” he told the board during their meeting.
First...what the hell is this guy talking about? I swear that sh*t just falls out of this guy's mouth!
Second....is this developer going to take care of the contamination? That seems to be the only bone of contention with developing anything on this property.
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
Bob G has an axe to grind and will take every opportunity to discredit anyone on the Town Board in order to get elected when he runs again IMHO.
I attended the meeting and heard Mr. Godlewski's remarks in full. I think every single person in town is in agreement that we need and ought to be redeveloping the current eyesore. I understood Mr. Godlewski's point to be one of proper process and ultimately, transparency and fairness. The town routinely puts outs requests for proposals on matters like these. I thought the question of why wasn't it done in this case was valid enough, axe or no axe.
Forum Industries was among the 80 companies contacted when Rotterdam officials requested proposals to redevelop the site in April 2007. Board members received back only four proposals and ultimately selected a mixed residential and commercial project by Polito-Columbia Properties LLC. The Polito-Columbia proposal was scrapped in February after the developer indicated chemical contamination on the property would prevent building the residential component. Then last month Forum Industries approached the Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency with the proposal for senior housing.
I don't think we can get anymore transparent than this. Forum Industries was among 80 companies contacted. This article states that only 4 responded. Economic times have changed and probably so did Forum Industries. They were contacted before, so what is the difference here? Do we want to waste even more time sending out 'invitations' again when we have a developer right at our door step showing interest in a piece of property that has been dead for decades? I certainly hope not!
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
I think when the proposals come back, the town then decides to choose one that works best for the town. How would they choose all 4? Mike, sorry, you are not making sense in this case. Do you suggest the town do a "study" or do you suggest they put it out to some sort of referendum for the townsfolk to decide? I guess this is why we elect officials- to make choices. I congratulate the town for making a choice which seems to be a great fit. If one of the other companies feels slighted or has a better vision, then they ought to come forth and state what their plan is for the property, and make their case. When the town does what Metroplex does and hands out a million plus to a shyster with no strings like in the case of the Big House, I will join you in your indignity. In this case, no.
Once again, Bob Godlewski is fostering conspiracy theories and looking to place blame. The one good thing that would happen if Bob G. go elected to supervisor is that he will be running for higher office withing weeks or months, so we probably wouldn't have to look at his big grin and false teeth for too long.
"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."
Did you ever hear of the little boy who cried "wolf?" I hear "wolf, wolf!" coming from Bob no change a LOT.
"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."
I think when the proposals come back, the town then decides to choose one that works best for the town. How would they choose all 4? Mike, sorry, you are not making sense in this case. Do you suggest the town do a "study" or do you suggest they put it out to some sort of referendum for the townsfolk to decide? I guess this is why we elect officials- to make choices. I congratulate the town for making a choice which seems to be a great fit. If one of the other companies feels slighted or has a better vision, then they ought to come forth and state what their plan is for the property, and make their case. When the town does what Metroplex does and hands out a million plus to a shyster with no strings like in the case of the Big House, I will join you in your indignity. In this case, no.
Once again, Bob Godlewski is fostering conspiracy theories and looking to place blame. The one good thing that would happen if Bob G. go elected to supervisor is that he will be running for higher office withing weeks or months, so we probably wouldn't have to look at his big grin and false teeth for too long.
I'm certainly not indignant and I wasn't trying to imply that the swift decision for action is undesirable. I like swift action. If I had a problem with this, I'd have stood up and spoken my piece. I'm not trying to defend Mr. Godlewski - just that I thought his question was valid. I understood him wanting to ensure that all possible interested parties knew this parcel was available again. (so the town DOES get the best deal) I also understood, and accepted, the Supervisor's response. We're a long way from this project being a done deal for either the town or the developer at this stage anyway. I hope, like everyone, that we get this parcel improved from it's current state.
Oh Sal....your 'poor elderly folk' love you so much....you better support this here thing over here--FANAPOLI!!!!
anyhow,,,,we better be prepared for the empty homes for sale and the increase in population.....we relocate one demographic group to centralized areas opening up an influx of more people.....so all Sal's elders are retiring here?.....What will happen to the Boomer's homes????
...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
SAL. YOU, PDQ AKA MACEJKA WILL HAVE A PLACE TO RETIRE TOGETHER SOMEDAY BECAUSE OF STEVIE T AND JOHHNY MERTZ.
BOYS. DON'T BE DISAPPOINTED IF I DON'T REPLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. TICKETS TO FLY OUT TOMORROW FOR WORK. REAL WORK. NO TIME TO BLOG WHILE I WORK LIKE YOU GUYS. MUST BE NICE TO HAVE GOVERNMENT JOBS.
Curry Road shopping plaza transferred to town IDA BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
With just a day remaining on their terms, members of the outgoing Town Board transferred the Curry Road Shopping Center to the Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency. Board members unanimously ratified the transfer during a special meeting Wednesday, less than two days before the new administration is scheduled to be sworn in this week. The move is a precursor to the agency working out a deal with the Clifton Park-based Forum Industries so that 10 acres of town-owned land can be redeveloped into 184 units of affordable senior housing. The blighted shopping plaza has presented problems ever since Rotterdam received the property from the Golub Corp. in 2003. Initially, town officials contemplated building a municipal center to house police and government operations. But plans for the facility quickly fell to the wayside when a study suggested it could cost the town millions. In 2007, the town solicited proposals from private companies in an effort to redevelop and sell the land, but only received a handful of responses. The town eventually chose Polito-Columbia Properties LLC to redevelop the land for private use. The company suggested building a 94 two-bedroom condominiums and a modest street-front retail space. But the deal with Polito-Columbia never came to fruition. And after nearly two years of negotiating, the company declared it was no longer interested in the project because of the cost it would take to clean up chemical contamination from a dry cleaning business once located in the plaza. Earlier this year, Forum proposed demolishing all of the existing buildings on the property to may way the senior housing project. The company also proposed building a 12,000-square-foot retail-commercial building and a new location for Trustco Bank along the Curry Road edge of the property. The developer is also proposing to build a 12,000-square-foot retailcommercial building and a 2,000-square-foot space for the existing Trustco Bank near Curry Road. ..............>>>>..............>>>>...........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01402&AppName=1
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