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Getting rid of ‘circle’ in front of old Center City was no loss

    This is in response to Richard Eats’ Aug. 6 letter, “Center City design doesn’t fit in with rest of downtown.”
    We certainly respect Mr. Eats’ comments and his desire to see more public space downtown, but to fondly recall the “circle” that used to be in front of the old Center City building is stretching things a bit. To compare this public space to some of the great public gathering spaces in the nation, as Mr. Eats does in his letter, is really pushing it.
    The circle had a cold, sterile design that featured a metal sign, benches that were built so low to the ground that you could not sit comfortably and a fountain with lighting that did not work. Almost every day that this space was open it caused problems. Vagrants gathered there and skateboarders knocked down pedestrians as they had a field day using the low-slung benches as a skateboard park. Jay Street merchants had many concerns and problems with the circle and frequently called our offi ce to complain about it.
    The old circle and mostly vacant Center City complex has been replaced by the new Center City. This $30 million, privately financed project is creating new jobs and tax base for Schenectady. The new YMCA is open and is a smash hit. MVP has leased additional space and continued their efforts to revitalize downtown. A leading engineering firm and local fi nancial institution have recently signed leases. The building features a design that complements downtown’s architecture.
    The new building will also restore the street wall on State Street that was broken for so many years by the poorly designed Center City. It will serve as a proper gateway to the Jay Street marketplace, which now has more retail tenants than at any time in recent history.
    Downtown has come full circle in recent years. The old Center City circle was part of the problem, not the solution.

    RAY GILLEN
    Schenectady

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....102&AppName=1The writer is commissioner of Economic Development for Schenectady County and serves as Metroplex chairman.