... Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen stated that Metroplex doesn't give money to not-for-profits ...
The Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority has provided significant funding to both Proctor's Theater (in the form of $9.5M in grants) and to the Parson's Child and Family Center.
The project plans for these not-for-profit entities are available on the Metroplex's web site:
(For some reason I can't locate the project plan for Parson's)
Quoted Text
5. Child Program & Family Resource Center Project: Resolution 480-07 - Amend Loan Terms
The Finance Committee reviewed and recommended modifying the loan terms and conditions in order to induce the Child Center to make loan payments again. If the repayment plan is successful, Metroplex will ultimately forgive one-half of the outstanding $457,000 second mortgage loan.
The Committee's recommendations include: receiving an immediate $20,000 of unpaid interest (with the remainder being forgiven); converting the interest from 3 percent to zero percent; and forgiving equal amounts of principal for each monthly principal payment made until maturity. Metroplex also accepts a 50 percent guaranty from Parson's Child and Family Center not to exceed $228,500. Mr. Lewis moved Resolution 480-07; seconded by Mr. Bulko.
Discussion followed about the project's history and losses incurred. Resolution 480-07 was unanimously approved.
Appears that Mr. Gillen is attempting to mislead the public and the media with his untruthful statements. The mission and charter of the Metroplex Authority, if it is to continue to exist, must be revised. The "leadership" must be changed. And, the implementation of policies must be consistent.
I'm not sure that Metroplex funding for the YMCA is any more appropriate than its investment in Proctor's or Parson's Child and Family Center. The Metroplex mission is supposed to be about business development and job creation.
The second troubling statement appeared in a May 1 Gazette article: Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen stated that Metroplex doesn’t give money to not-forprofits. There is obvious evidence to counter that statement. One needs only to look at Proctors and be grateful that Metroplex played such an important role in supporting that rehab effort.
Oh and what about the 'free' money to The Big House.....right now that looks like a 'not for profit'.....what the heck....
...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
I'm not sure that Metroplex funding for the YMCA is any more appropriate than its investment in Proctor's or Parson's Child and Family Center. The Metroplex mission is supposed to be about business development and job creation.
The Metroplex seems to be becoming a public funded form of funding social programs. It would also be interesting to find out if any of these non profits have donated to political campaigns.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 YMCA interested in Center City in Sch'dy The Business Review (Albany)
Richard A. D'Errico Center City in Schenectady is being considered as the next home for a new Capital District YMCA branch. View Larger The Capital District YMCA wants to open a new branch at Center City in downtown Schenectady, but must first negotiate a deal with the landlord, an official said today.
“We don’t have an agreement,” said David Brown, chief executive officer of the YMCA.
The multi-purpose building at Jay and State streets is owned by the Galesi Group of Rotterdam.
The Y’s board of directors believes Center City in the heart of downtown is the best place to open a new, 30,000-square-foot branch that would include a gymnasium, day care, wellness center and teen activity rooms.
“Should we reach agreement we would hope to have a facility opened by the fall,” Brown said. “We have had positive meetings but we don’t have an agreement.”
Go back to the beginning of this thread. April 29th they had these same talks. What is so different now? And having a 'Y' in the middle of State Street just doesn't make sense. I thought this area was to boost jobs and sales tax revenue. I thought that is what the plex was for.
So NOW we have Proctors, which is a non profit tax sucking entity, the Big House that has cost the taxpayers millions and it is STILL not open, a movie theater that can't draw in a crowd, a clothing store from Saratoga that hasn't opened, Bomber Burritos that still hasn't opened, bars that can't pack 'em in even on the big night before Thanksgiving, Aperitivo that can't draw a crown, MVP that is nothing more than a relocation, Villa Italia that is nothing more than a relocation and now the 'Y' that is nothing more than a relocation.
So in the last decade, after millions upon millions of our dollars were being spent....where are the good paying job? Where is the so needed sales tax revenue? Well folks, the proof is in the pudding with a 9% tax INCREASE!! It is not working!
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
SCHENECTADY Center City getting new lease on life Galesi renovating downtown complex as tenants sign up BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
A look inside Center City would amaze the viewer accustomed to its former slow deterioration with its smell of mildew and man-made odors. Gone are the bleachers that stretched along the wall and the fake green grass of the indoor soccer field. Temporary plaster and plastic walls have sprung up everywhere, and workmen drive about filling huge bins with debris. Center City is being rebuilt from the inside out. The new owner of Center City, The Galesi Group, is spending approximately $12 million to renovate the four-story, 180,000-square foot building. The amount is $5 million more than the cost to create Center City in 1979. Galesi began the work three weeks ago when its newest tenant, MVP, signed a lease for 46,000 square feet at Center City. MVP, a Schenectady health insurer, should be in its new space by the end of the year, said David Buicko, chief operating officer for Galesi. Earlier this week, the Capital District YMCA said it would begin negotiations with Galesi to lease 30,000 square feet in Center City. The YMCA wants to relocate its lower State Street health facility to the downtown site. The new site would contain basketball courts, recreation rooms and a day care center. It will not include a pool. Buicko said the YMCA would occupy a wide-open area that contained the former soccer field. The area is 50,000 square feet and four stories high. Galesi will build two steel decks over the space, essentially adding more space inside the structure. Capital District YMCA President and CEO J. David Brown said the new facility would cost about $4 million — the amount of money raised so far for the project. In the short time Galesi has owned the building, it installed a new roof and new mechanical systems, which had fallen into disrepair over the years. It also cleaned up and secured the building against unauthorized visitors, mainly street people who used to sleep inside and used the structure as a restroom. It will replace two old elevators and add a third. Galesi has already gutted the soccer field area and has donated the bleachers and arena safety wall to local youth organizations. Galesi is lining up commercial tenants for the fourth floor and retail businesses for the first floor, which fronts State Street. CVS and the Electric City Rock Gym will remain as tenants. Further, Buicko said Galesi may construct a structure measuring approximately 20,000 square feet to replace the entrance to Center City, an elevated area next to Jay Street. The structure would contain a new lobby and commercial space, he said, and would be in keeping with downtown’s late 19th century architectural character. Work is ongoing to connect Center City to a district energy system operated by Proctors, allowing it to receive low-cost heat and cooling energy. Piles of earth on State Street are the result of digging to reach the pipes, which were extended under State Street from Proctors during the streetscape project years ago. Galesi is working to make Center City as energy-efficient as possible. It is installing new windows to use as much natural light as possible and placing insulation in areas that never had any. Portions of Center City were constructed more than 100 years ago, and the complex has always been expensive to heat and cool. The interior work involves restoring architectural features that were masked when Center City was created, Buicko said. The features include ornate fluted columns of solid metal, archways and walls. FINANCIAL DEAL ............................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00701
They are lining up tenants-who? A YMCA with no pool? Another only in Schenectady. This is more about the taxpayer funded day care center than a Downtown Y.
More great "news" reporting? When is the Big Hose opening? When is the State Audit to be released? No news on the permanent closure of Parisi's Steakhouse. More supposed retail but still no names, no national chains- no nothing. If it ain't positive than don't print it.
SCHENECTADY YMCA close to deal to occupy Center City space BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.
The Galesi Group this summer will begin demolishing the corner of Center City that fronts on State and Jay streets and replace it with a new five-story tower. It will also install a deck over the former soccer arena in anticipation of housing the downtown branch of the YMCA, local officials said. The work is part of a total rehabilitation of the 29-year-old building at a cost of more than $12 million. The city has contributed $2.5 million from the Restore NY Communities Initiatives Program toward the project. The remainder is private financing. The Galesi Group will demolish the front porch of Center City, known as The Circle, and a section along Jay Street that contains offices. It then plans to construct the five-story steel and glass tower during the summer construction season, said Galesi Chief Operating Officer David Buicko. The addition will wrap around the building and add more than 50,000 square feet to the 170,000-square-foot structure. It will be one story taller than the rest of the building, a conglomeration of several structures, and the top four stories will jut out five feet toward State Street. This will create a covered walkway 14 feet high whose facade will feature mahogany and limestone, Buicko said. The addition will be flush with an adjacent building facade, creating a streetwall from Jay Street to North Broadway. At the same time, Galesi will begin work on an interior deck, creating a floor over the former soccer area. The floor will become a gymnasium and exercise room for the YMCA. Capital District YMCA Executive Director Edward Brown said the agency and Galesi have drafted leases and letters of intent for the YMCA to use 30,000 square feet of space in Center City. “We are having good conversations with them. I do not foresee any major issues, but we don’t have a signed deal,” he said. The YMCA is seeking to relocate from its building at 13 State St. The building remains open but is for sale. Galesi will also fix the rear of the building and enlarge the parking lot. ..............>>>>>>..............>>>>>..........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00801
Schenectady YMCA excited about big move Friday, September 11, 2009 By Michael Lamendola (Contact) Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — The Capital District YMCA will open a 28,000-square-foot facility next year in the former Center City complex on State Street, formalizing plans to relocate its 13 State St. fitness center to downtown, the nonprofit agency announced Thursday at a grand opening ceremony. The downtown facility will contain a National Collegiate Athletic Association regulation-sized gymnasium that Schenectady County Community College’s basketball and volleyball teams will use for practice and regulation games. The downtown venue ends the college’s search for a permanent home for its sports teams. YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Brown said the new facility will also contain a teen center, wellness center, fitness center, steam and sauna rooms, spinning room, children’s corner and lockers. It will not contain a swimming pool. “A new era is happening today at what used to be known as Center City,” Brown said. The agency’s lease on its 13 State St. facility runs through 2012. The facility also houses 184 men. The YMCA will move the fitness center to the former Center City in January and keep the residential facility open through the end of its lease, Brown said. He said the YMCA will try to find a new location for the residential facility after 13 State St. closes. The YMCA hopes to more than double membership at the downtown fitness facility, from 1,200 to 2,500, after it opens, Brown said. It will restructure membership rates to generate sufficient revenue at its new location, he said. The YMCA also will end corporate memberships, he said...............>>>>..................>>>>..................http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/sep/11/0911_ymca/
The downtown facility will contain a National Collegiate Athletic Association regulation-sized gymnasium that Schenectady County Community College’s basketball and volleyball teams will use for practice and regulation games.
...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
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They are lining up tenants-who? A YMCA with no pool? Another only in Schenectady. This is more about the taxpayer funded day care center than a Downtown Y.
