Walgreens proposes store close to rival Plan for Schenectady highlights issue of clustering pharmacies
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer First published: Friday, February 22, 2008
SCHENECTADY -- A new Walgreens has been proposed at Brandywine Avenue and State Street, across the street from a Rite Aid and an empty Eckerd building. Such clusters are happening across the Capital Region as drugstore chains expand, often locating next to each other.
It's unknown whether Walgreens would be interested in, or would consider, taking the corner occupied by the empty Eckerd. A representative from the Deerfield, Ill.-based company couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. Many Eckerd stores were closed after the company was bought last year by Rite Aid. "It seems like overkill to me. One drugstore is plenty right in that neighborhood," said Catherine Greene, president of the Vale Community Organization. Walgreens is asking for a special use permit to allow a drive-through at the location, 1101-1115 State St. The zoning board will consider the request on March 5. The vacant property is zoned for business use. However, a new zoning code expected to win approval in March might mean greater restrictions on footprint size and design for that site, said zoning officer Steve Strichman. City Council member Barbara Blanchard said any business can locate in the city if it meets city standards and the zoning code. But she said it's unfortunate that the proposal involves another chain drugstore. "It's too bad we can't attract more unique businesses," Blanchard said. Controversy has swirled around other drugstore sites recently. An online petition asks Troy officials to reject a plan for a new Rite Aid on Hoosick Street. Delaware Avenue residents in Albany have sued to prevent a Walgreens from moving to a vacant lot on Holland Avenue. The Brandywine Avenue and State Street Walgreens would be the company's first store in Schenectady. The company has said it wants to add 550 stores, mostly in California and the Northeast, by year's end.
"It seems like overkill to me. One drugstore is plenty right in that neighborhood," said Catherine Greene, president of the Vale Community Organization.
I guess she has no comment about the 2 other pharmacies down on the Corner of Eastern Parkway and McClellan?
Why not refill the Eckerd?
Quoted Text
Many Eckerd stores were closed after the company was bought last year by Rite Aid.
Obviously, the reporter didn't check their facts to see that this was not the actual reason for the closing of this store. It's been closed and an empty lot for a bit longer than the buyout.
Quoted Text
"It's too bad we can't attract more unique businesses," Blanchard said.
I know, maybe we should raise taxes some more, that always helps business, doesn't it?
I don't think that Walgreens is such a bad idea. Yes it is a drug store, but you can't get any closer to a Walmart than a Walgreens. You might just as well consider it a retail store. Will it knock the other drugstores out of business? I'd say that is a strong possibility. But I think that a Walgreens could better serve that community.
And I also believe that when the Walgreens opens in Rotterdam and the Walgreens opens in Schenectady, Walmart will feel the pinch as well. And if that happens, watch our Rotterdam....cause they will propose another super center 'somewhere' in town.
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
That is what happens in a city....most folks walk and it needs to be within a 5 block distance....most have shopping carts to do their shopping not cars....not to mention all the boomers....cant stand in line ALL day for the drugs.....AARP stands to make alot of money...they are one of the largest lobbying groups next to the teachers union......
...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
SCHENECTADY Rite Aid blocks Walgreens plan New zoning rules could limit store features BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com.
In a chess-like maneuver, Rite Aid has blocked Walgreens from buying a valuable lot near one of its stores, and the delay may have cost Walgreens the game. Walgreens wants to build a pharmacy at the corner of State Street and Brandywine Avenue, which is already home to a bustling Rite Aid and a long-closed Eckerds. But it can’t because Rite Aid bought the Eckerds lot first, and it won’t sell to its competitor. Undeterred, Walgreens proposed building next to the former Fratello’s Restaurant, a vacant lot directly across from both Rite Aid and Eckerds. But it looks like it took the company too long to get to this point. The City Council is poised to approve a sweeping new zoning map and comprehensive plan, which would forbid nearly all of the Walgreens features. Walgreens wants a drivethrough, a big pole sign, and parking in front of its building — precisely the type of building that city planners describe as a suburban-style store surrounded by a sea of asphalt and a highway sign. “There’s the drive-through [which needs a special-use permit], and the square footage is too big, plus we have stricter design requirements now,” Zoning Officer Steve Strichman said. “Any development of Walgreens multiplies the taxes on that lot now, but it doesn’t line up with our zoning code.” However, the new zoning code isn’t in effect yet. The council might adopt it at the end of March, and Walgreens has already submitted its application for review. The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the proposal on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, at least two weeks before the final vote on the zoning code. “When does the zoning code kick in?” Strichman said. “We have been discussing this. It’s a dilemma.” Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden said the city has decided to enforce the code now for projects still in development. “It’s going to apply to everybody. The new rules would apply to any development going on now,” he said. And that means Walgreens may not be interested in Schenectady after all. “We have extremely specific criteria. If we find a location that fits this criteria, the store will be a success,” said Walgreens spokeswoman Carol Hively. Among the criteria are a large sign that can be seen a certain distance down the road and a drivethrough, she said. “The drive-through is important,” she added. “We find people don’t want to get out of their car because it’s bad weather or they’re not feeling well or they have someone sick with them.” Walgreens does have an alternate design for pedestrian-heavy downtown locations, and some stores have “ground-level” signs, Hively said. “But in most of our locations, most of our stores are corner locations with [vehicular] traffic,” she said.
A Walgreens belongs 'somewhere' in the city of Schenectady. Right along with more dollar stores and thrift stores.
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
EDITORIALS City should stick to its guns over Walgreen’s
The city of Schenectady doesn’t seem to be in much of a rush to accommodate the developers of yet another drugstore at the intersection of State Street and Brandywine Avenue — nor should it be. The idea is crazy, as the long-vacant Eckerd’s building diagonally across the street from Rite Aid indicates. Still, if the people from Walgreen’s insist on trying to locate on that corner, directly across from Rite Aid next to the old Fratello’s Restaurant, the city must at least ensure that the store conforms to new design standards in a comprehensive plan that has been years in the works and is ready to be passed by the city council. The city needs to at least make sure that if it can’t stop Walgreen’s from making the same mistake Eckerd’s made in 2000 — building one large chain drugstore right across the street from another — the building it puts up isn’t as ugly and unadaptable as Eckerd’s was. Then if the store does go out of business at some point in the future, the building won’t sit vacant indefinitely (as Eckerd’s has now for three years). What would help immeasurably would be if Walgreen’s is made to abandon the typical suburban-style drugstore building design — with large pole sign, parking lot out front, drive-in window and store set back well off the road. Apparently the only interest in a building of that sort is from another drugstore chain: Walgreen’s, in fact, tried to buy the old Eckerd’s but Rite Aid beat it to the punch — buying it last fall just to make sure it wouldn’t end up in the hands of a competitor. Of course, the chances are good if the city sticks to its guns on design issues that Walgreen’s will not want to locate there. That may hurt the city in terms of short-term tax revenues, but eventually an even better use for that space is likely to come along.
Does anyone else feel that the Govt shouldn't be in the business of "business" - regulating who goes where - especially if there's campaign or "fund" contributions behind or clouding the decisions?
I think that a Walgreens anywhere in the city would be a great choice. It is better equipped to better serve that community. And they will be there forever. A great tax base!
And no the government should not be in the business of business but it is. Just look at the Metroplex.
Walgreens is about the only business that makes sense for the city of Schenectady. They best smarten up!!
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
Go figure, they complain that they can't get businesses. They complain about the types of businesses that are there. They complain that the taxes are too high. And they complain about the fact that a new company wants to move in to a market (saturated or not with pharmacies) and help the tax base by bringing the value of the land up. They'd rather steal businesses from the outlying towns / villages than bring in a new company.
Instead of a roundabout on Erie Blvd - just ask the bookstore and gunshop to move (nicely) and put Walgreens down there. That'd serve two purposes - a "semi" market downtown, traffic (visitors) a pharmacy for the downtown/stockade/scotia residents - everyone's happy - especially since we just eliminated the need for a roundabout !
Walgreens would be good for city, and neighborhood
As an employee and patron in the Central State Street business corridor, I would like to highlight some observations regarding the proposed new Walgreens project. I can understand why Rite Aid would be opposed to the development at the northeast corner of State Street and Brandywine Avenue by Walgreens — Rite Aid purchased the vacant building on the northwest corner for the sole purpose of blocking its competitor. What I can’t understand is why some city officials and our local newspaper object to the Walgreens proposal. The corner in question has been occupied by the old Fratello’s restaurant and Mr. Muffler auto repair business for years — both properties have long been neglected. Also, while there have been some efforts to improve the appearance of this Central State Street business corridor, much needs to be done and few businesses are clamoring to relocate there. Instead of insisting that Walgreens patrons park in the back of the proposed building, public safety concerns should permit them to park in front, where patrons and police could see into the building and store personnel can see who’s coming in. It’s an aspect of security that I look for when shopping anywhere. It’s obvious that the benefits of this project to the Central State Street neighborhood (improved streetscape, jobs, economic activity increased real property taxes) far outweigh the negatives that it is incomprehensible why The Daily Gazette would chastise the property’s developer [March 7 editorial]. I can only hope that the city planning commission will understand that this project is good for Central State Street and good for Schenectady. BARBARA HEALY Schenectady
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