Sad shape of Sch’dy streets undermining its renaissance
I would once more like to implore Schenectady Mayor [Brian] Stratton to do something about the biggest eyesore in the city — its roads. The streets of Schenectady are an embarrassment. Central Park and Proctors have been referred to at various times as “jewels” of the city. I believe this, as the roads leading to both appear to come straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. The potholes make it appear that the city is actually downtown Kabul, not downtown Schenectady, riddled with bomb blasts. The city must be an auto shop’s version of winning the Lotto, given all the damage done to the undercarriage of any vehicle unlucky enough to have to drive over these routes. In some spots, attempts have been made to “fix” potholes by fi lling them with patches. Of course, the patches are never actually smoothed out to the same level as the rest of the road, so instead of holes, we now have large bumps. Of course, this is only a temporary problem, because patches rarely last more than four to six months before the elements wear them away and leave us with an even deeper pothole. Whether the pavers and their employers are simply oblivious to the fact that patches do not last, or are aware and see it as a way to bilk taxpayers out of more money, I don’t know. Have you ever ridden in the back of an ambulance? Can you imagine how it is to ride, on a stretcher or backboard, while being bounced over these atrocities Mayor Stratton shamefully calls roads? The main road leading from lower Schenectady to Ellis Hospital, Nott Street, is riddled with more dips and potholes than rural Arkansas. Avoiding them is not an option, assuming you aren’t in the mood to drive on the sidewalks (which aren’t much better, anyway). Nott Street is also one of the “gateway” streets to Union College. What a wonderful way to greet new students! “Come learn how to be a productive member of society, just don’t learn by our city’s example!” Mayor Stratton has made a big deal of “refurbishing” Schenectady and “bringing back [its] glory.” Proctors looks great. The Bowtie Cinema, I’m sure, brings in a lot of business. Union College’s grounds look pretty good. Unfortunately, we’re welcoming any tourists with the equivalent of a moldy welcome mat pulled from the town dump. You want to make Schenectady a town to be proud of, Mayor Stratton? Try taking some pride in your streets.
SEAN MEARNS Glenville The writer works for a local private ambulance
The roads? Hell, they spend our tax dollars on parking lots and gin mills, while the roads are falling apart. I agree with the writer of the article. The roads are a mess and have been for years! The city is falling down around itself and yet they continue to pump money into the money pit called proctors!
Just keep voting them in!
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
The biggest eyesore in the City is City Hall not the roads. Nott St and Broadway are two disgraces. Try Nott St by the railroad bridge. Upper Broadway is like Beirut.
BT is right and money for road maintenance has been flushed down Bethesda House. Union College looks good? It should with it's record endowment and refusal to pay anything for police and fire protection. As far as Central Park another mess with the absurd emphasis on no smoking instead of no pit bulls. They can't even hold Tuesday in the Park anymore. Some resident might offend SOS's suburban sensibilities.
Seward shows the depth of just how sick the contract process is. Within a yearof construction that street started to fall apart. The quality never held up but do you see the city going after the contractors. Millions spent to make Seward a up and coming neighborhood for Union and look how it is. Just another story of who knows who in Schenectady. They can get away with anything.
The roads in the city have been deplorable for years! The plex takes our money and makes nice shinny new parking lots while the road conditions have become inexcusable. And it's not just winter time pot holes. It is 365 days a year. It is disgusting and an embarrassment for people to come to the city.
They tax the hell out of the people, are arrogant and dismissive to residents who speak at meetings and are popped right out of reality.Between the road conditions, the empty buildings that would blow over with a good strong wind, the dss building that is another embarrassment to anyone who drives by, to the non profits who are bleeding the taxpayers by paying 'no tax'.......it is a deplorable city! I really don't know how or why people would actually 'choose' to live there.
And won't the employees at the new golub office complex be in shock when they have to drive through the city after a snow storm! God help them!! They will soon realize....that 'they aren't in kansas anymore'!
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
Logged
The biggest eyesore in the City is City Hall not the roads. Nott St and Broadway are two disgraces. Try Nott St by the railroad bridge. Upper Broadway is like Beirut. 
