Gee, maybe the county should give Proctors more money. Interesting how when they had the bond vote tonight, the biggest supporter of Proctors on the board, Bob Farley was "absent," while Judy Dagostino was "excused." That's what they used each time they voted on anything tonight...including loaning the extra 25 million to Metroplex.
Proctors, Canajoharie earn historic preservation awards Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The transformation of Proctors in Schenectady and the revitalization of downtown Canajoharie are among eight projects to be honored by the Preservation League of New York State with its annual Excellence in Historic Preservation Award. The statewide program recognizes individuals and organizations for their commitment to the preservation of the state’s architectural heritage. “Excellence in Preservation Awards are our principal means of honoring the preservation community and educating the public about the important contribution that historic preservation projects make to our quality of life throughout New York State,” said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League. “Each year, we are impressed by the number and variety of laudable projects, and this year was no exception. We are delighted to give Proctors the statewide recognition it deserves.” Other award winners are: Webb Lofts in Buffalo; the MacNaughton House stabilization in Newcomb, Essex County; the U.S. Post Office & Courthouse in Brooklyn's Cadman Plaza; the Eldridge Street Synagogue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan; the Hotel Kirkland in Kingston; and the Model Development Block in New Rochelle. The award will be presented at the preservation league’s annual meeting May 15th at the historic Park Avenue Armory in New York City.
The statewide program recognizes individuals and organizations for their commitment to the preservation of the state’s architectural heritage.
What about honoring the taxpayers who have financed and will continue to pay for the renovations and expansion?
It is unfortunate that Proctors Theater is seemingly not managed by someone who is talented, experienced, and knowledgeable enough about the arts and the theater to render the venue self-sustaining rather than relying on the county taxpayers to supplement the budget year after year.
As beautiful as the facility is and as sensational the productions are, Proctors Theater will continue to be the albatross around the necks of Schenectady County taxpayers until a businessman is in control of operations.
•7. Proctors Theatre Project: Resolution 503-08 - Amend Loan Term and Conditions
In March 2007 Metroplex advanced a $600,000 bridge loan (12-month maximum term at 0 percent interest) to Proctors to facilitate completion of the GE Theater. Proctors paid $300,000 at year-end and is requesting an extension of the maturity date of the loan to September 30, 2008 to pay the remaining $300,000. Proctors awaits reimbursement from NYSERDA and an additional equity investment from its historic tax credit investor, Sherwin Williams. Mr. Lewis moved Resolution 503-08; seconded by Mr. Golub. There was no discussion. Resolution 503-08 was unanimously approved.
Yet another recipient of public revenues who is seeking to revise the terms of the initial loan agreement.
•7. Proctors Theatre Project: Resolution 503-08 - Amend Loan Term and Conditions
In March 2007 Metroplex advanced a $600,000 bridge loan (12-month maximum term at 0 percent interest) to Proctors to facilitate completion of the GE Theater. Proctors paid $300,000 at year-end and is requesting an extension of the maturity date of the loan to September 30, 2008 to pay the remaining $300,000. Proctors awaits reimbursement from NYSERDA and an additional equity investment from its historic tax credit investor, Sherwin Williams. Mr. Lewis moved Resolution 503-08; seconded by Mr. Golub. There was no discussion. Resolution 503-08 was unanimously approved.
Yet another recipient of public revenues who is seeking to revise the terms of the initial loan agreement.
To add to your final sentance... "Yet another recipient of public revenues who is seeking to revise the terms of the initial 0% interest, free money loan agreement.
SCHENECTADY Proctors preservation work recognized State organization recognizes theater BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com
Proctors received a statewide award recognizing its commitment to maintaining the state’s architectural heritage. Proctors received the Preservation League of New York State’s Excellence in Historic Preservation Award for 2008. Proctors is one of 10 organizations and individuals throughout the state to receive the award. The Downtown Revitalization Program in Canajoharie also received the award. League President Jay DiLorenzo said the award is “our principal means of honoring the preservation community and educating the public about the important contribution that historic preservation projects make to our quality of life throughout New York state.” The league will provide Proctors and the Canajoharie program with certificates and other recognitions at its annual meeting and awards ceremony in New York City on May 15. “This provides these projects with an opportunity to get statewide recognition on a statewide stage for their local projects and to recognize all the participants in the project,” DiLorenzo said. Proctors was selected following a review of nominations. A panel of architects and preservationists makes the selection. “It is a competitive process,” DiLorenzo said. “We like Proctors for so many reasons.” He called it a significant restoration of an important building where the public can enjoy the arts and performances in a historic environment. “They did a quality restoration, didn’t cut corners and only enhanced what was already a showpiece in Schenectady,” DiLorenzo said. He said the transformation of the vaudeville-era theater, which was in serious disrepair, into the linchpin of a revitalized downtown was nothing short of exemplary. “The preservation of the historic theater and arcade, as well as the adaptive reuse of the adjacent Carl Company department store has delivered a heightened sense of place and history, as well as stateof-the-art performance spaces,” DiLorenzo said. The league also recognized the efforts of the nonprofit owner of Proctors, Arts Center & Theatre of Schenectady; the owners’ representative, AKW Construction Consulting, Inc.; and the project architect, SRG Architects; all of Schenectady. The famed theater architect, Thomas Lamb, designed Schenectady’s Proctor’s Theatre. It opened in 1926, one of a chain of F.F. Proctor’s vaudeville houses. With its unique commercial midblock arcade, it was a true “palace of the common man,” DiLorenzo said. “It would have been very easy for the citizens of Schenectady to walk away from this decaying and deteriorated theater,” said James Jamieson, chairman of the Schenectady Historic District Commission and Capitol Architect for New York. “Instead, armed with creative strategies for preservation, financing, and adaptive reuse, they transformed this National Register listed property into the engine of redevelopment in the struggling downtown, and the showplace of the Capital District of upstate New York.” PETER R. BARBER/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER Kathy Jarvis, director of marketing at Proctors, in the theater Tuesday. Proctors was recognized for its preservation and expansion effort downtown.
I wonder, as a taxpaying resident of Schenectady County, do I get a plaque, or a ribbon showing my contribution to the revitalization of Proctors, considering all the money in taxes that I spend in the county that get siphoned into the money pit?
I wonder, as a taxpaying resident of Schenectady County, do I get a plaque, or a ribbon showing my contribution to the revitalization of Proctors, considering all the money in taxes that I spend in the county that get siphoned into the money pit?
It's no plaque, Kevin, but your contributions are regularly recognized in the playbills. Just look the next time you go...it's right there plain as day...(You're a Producer, $200,000 and up, on the Expansion Campaign Donors by the way)...Senator Hugh T. Farley Grant....or if you'd like, Assemblyman Paul Tonko Grant! Sorry, they didn't have room to use YOUR actual name...but hey, they wrote the check and all you did was provide the money
Sorry gentlemen, but the use of CONTRIBUTIONS is hardly the word to use. I'm begining to feel that it's more like EXTORTION!!!
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
Proctors ups and downs Proctors attendances during recent performances continue the season trend of being all over the board. "Ring of Fire -- The Music of Johnny Cash" drew about 900 on each of two nights. A planned matinee at the 2,700-seat house was canceled. In contrast, the poor showing was followed by a near-sellout for "LAF Italiano," a festival of Italian comics. Broadway musical "Movin' Out" did well, averaging close to 2,000 a show during a six-day stand. Just last Saturday, a show featuring the music of The Temptations bombed, drawing only about 700. A sampling of exiting show goers I spoke with each night said they enjoyed the performances. No grumblers.
So has Proctors reached a level of sustaining itself? Or will we, the taxpayers have to continue to support it's structure and Mr. Morris' salary through the Metroplex?
Proctors has it's place and it is a nice addition to Schenectady. However, with all of the millions of taxpayer's dollars being thrown at Mr. Morris' dream, how much more is Proctors actually bringing in? And how is it actually helping the economy and tax base in Schenectady County?
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
So has Proctors reached a level of sustaining itself? Or will we, the taxpayers have to continue to support it's structure and Mr. Morris' salary through the Metroplex?
Proctors has it's place and it is a nice addition to Schenectady. However, with all of the millions of taxpayer's dollars being thrown at Mr. Morris' dream, how much more is Proctors actually bringing in? And how is it actually helping the economy and tax base in Schenectady County?
Maybe if we put Godlewski, in Bumble, he will clean it up (joking now) but really, when they handed this money over, where did our officials sit on this one, do you recall? What did the Rotterdam town board have to say? Or the Duanesburg board? Is Rene M. here to comment on this? I remember a few months ago they threw 3 or 4 mill at Proctors at the county. What happened? Why? Why now when we are in a hole?
Don't forget the $750,000 that they're now getting each year from the bed tax (which, per the Dems on the county board isn't a tax on residents), besides the additional money that Metroplex and the County just straight hand to them. I guess if the county is supposed to spend 70% of it's money downtown and is supposed to be spending the other 30% of its money in the towns and villages, I would like to see it bring some big projects into these areas, such as might be going on over at St. James Square. Maybe more St. James Squares, less pizza joints getting kicked around because they don't "fit in."
Theater ceiling project was easy with Power Ascender
Prize Construction, a local commercial restoration contractor in nearby Scotia, N.Y., was looking for a rope access device which would enable workers to easily and efficiently ascend 60 feet in order to repair the grand domed ceiling of the historic Proctor Theatre in Schenectady. While 60 feet was certainly within the reach of a standard, supported scaffold system, the seating plan, sloped floor and entertainment schedule of such a popular theatre all but eliminated its practical use.
Schenectady native Ed Zemeck, president of Prize Construction, has been a long-time fan and supporter of Proctor Theatre. While attending a performance of “The Phantom of the Opera” with his wife, Ed noticed obvious areas of ceiling disrepair in an otherwise renovated project. He contacted the theatre’s owner and suggested he could easily repair the damaged ceiling. In a matter of days he purchased his first PowerQuick Ascender from Cathryn Jacobson, CEO of Conanza Products. After just one morning of training, he was amazed at the intuitive ease with which his workers became comfortable with it’s operation. Before long, according to Ed, they were confidently accessing the ceiling as if they’d been doing it for years. They utilized pre-existing sleeved holes installed in the ceiling to rig their 12 mm static kernmantle lines from ample structural steel in the access above the ceiling. While the radius of the elevated work area was clearly limited to the worker’s reach, there were plenty of these sleeved points available. All the while work was being done, the theatre casts were performing rehearsals without interruption. The set up and dismantling of welded end frame scaffolding would have been a major distraction and consumed much valuable time before the show’s opening date.
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