SCHENECTADY Council may take land for bump-out parking lot BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com.
Progress is coming to the Upper Union Business District, but there is a price: the haphazard parking will be a thing of the past. And one business owner is not a fan. Marylu Aragosa, who owns Ferri Formals and Bridals, has declined to sign off on a plan that would turn the space in front of her store into a parking lot. The last phase of the business district’s streetscape calls for a bump-out parking lot, similar to the small lots on State Street downtown. The 11-space lot would encompass the paved area in front of Aragosa’s shop as well as Head to Tail and Domani Spa. The owners of those two businesses have approved the plan. Aragosa did not, city offi cials said. She did not return a call seeking comment. Now the City Council is considering taking the land in front of Ferri Formals and Bridals by eminent domain. A public hearing will be set for Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. ................>>>>..................>>>>.....................................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01100&AppName=1
$700,000 wasted on the Upper Union Street "streetscape". And more empty storefronts than ever. Another total waste of taxpayer money. Especially love that bench on Dean St-real practical in winter. Instead of lowering taxes or fees let's put in new curbs!
Maybe the store owner knows better than Death Ray what's best for her business? If anyone dares disagree with Death Ray's plans-seize their property through eminent domain.
Yet another slanted story from the Gazetto. Make the storeowner the villian (btw they pays property and school taxes) because they don't want $700,000 worth of sidewalks. Another cheerleading piece of garbage for Gillen.
Metroplex has taken enough of Downtown, why don't they put some sidewalks on Nott for the kids walking home from Oneida and the High Schools. Maybe fix the streets in other neighborhoods.....
Only the Gazetto would think this is some kind of positive development. Another reason why Metrograft must be abolished. They hurt businesses, increased sales taxes, generate no jobs and waste millions. There's enough to do Downtown. Get the Trustco Building and 440 State back on the tax rolls. 440 State was supposed to be sold for some corporate headquarters months ago.
Ferri's is a successful business that needs this parking for it's customers. Every time Metrograft gets involved it kills private business. Name one successful large company they have brought in from outside the County?
When listening to the last council comm. mtg. the name came up of the store owner who is in opposition to the parking plan. 2 are for it 1 against. I believe the name of the person against is one Mrs./Ms./or Miss Aragosa. Any relation to the Cornells Aragosas?
Who said Metroplex and failure Death Ray aren't doing anything? They are now on Upper Union Street taking property from a successful store owner, who pays taxes, for a parking lot and new curbs!
If she doesn't agree with the planner with no planning credentials-seize the property through eminent domain. She knows more about business than a failed DEM town chairman. And the publishers of the bird cage liner think this is just wonderful. When are they going to get off the ether? An out of control failed taxpayer albatross is now seizing property from successful business leader. And the Gazetto backs the albatross. Only in Schenectady.
SCHENECTADY Bridal store owner wants city to rethink parking plan BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
A plan to slightly change the parking configuration on upper Union Street has a bridal shop owner looking to move out of Schenectady. Marylu Aragosa, who runs Ferri Formals and Bridals, says her customers must be able to park directly in front of her store — illegally hopping a low curb — so that their expensive silk wedding dresses are not damaged if they must be carried out of the store in bad weather. “These fine silks are vulnerable to the elements, and they are not easily fixed. They take six months to come in,” she said. If customers can’t park in front of her business, she said, she plans to move. She wants the city to scrap its plans to build a “bump-out” parking lot in front of her store and two adjacent buildings, Head to Tail Pet Wellness Center and Domani Spa. The curbside parking lot would be similar to the ones downtown on State Street. To do that, the city must seize a small piece of pavement through eminent domain. Aragosa wants to keep her property, but she has hesitated to speak publicly since her neighbors and most of the business owners in the area support the streetscape plan. “It is truly difficult as a small business owner to object to a plan supported by Metroplex,” she said. But with the public hearing on eminent domain less than two weeks away, Aragosa has broken her silence. “It’s very serious to take someone’s property away, property that they paid for and paid taxes on,” she said. “I’m not seeing data that it’s a hazard. It’s not fair to take my property for a visual improvement.” The hearing will be at City Hall on April 11 at 7 p.m. Metroplex and city offi cials have argued that the current parking is unsafe. Drivers park haphazardly in front of the businesses, block other cars and try to maneuver backwards around parked cars to get back out to the street. “It’s a very unsafe situation,” city Assistant Corporation Counsel John Polster told the City Council when the issue was fi rst discussed. Tony Lauria, the owner of the nearby Gershon’s Deli, agreed. In a press release supporting eminent domain, he said the parking scares off customers. “Customers are put off by the confusing and dangerous parking situation and the terrible sidewalks,” he said. Aragosa isn’t convinced, and has DMV records that show only two backing-up accidents in the past four years. “It’s been that way since 1920,” she said. “I haven’t seen any accidents. The basis for being unsafe is based on opinion, not on data.” .............................>>>>........................>>>>.......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01100&AppName=1
This Ferri Fromals could move anywhere and still do a great business. Perhaps the plex will give them 'a deal they can't refuse'.......perhaps?
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
Once again, you have confused the facts. This is a City Council action. It has nothing to do with Metroplex.
REALLY??????????????? Check Ms. Moores article again..........k? She is the one who reported it so I would guess it's factual.....yes?
Quoted Text
“It is truly difficult as a small business owner to object to a plan supported by Metroplex,” she said. But with the public hearing on eminent domain less than two weeks away, Aragosa has broken her silence. “It’s very serious to take someone’s property away, property that they paid for and paid taxes on,” she said. “I’m not seeing data that it’s a hazard. It’s not fair to take my property for a visual improvement.” The hearing will be at City Hall on April 11 at 7 p.m. Metroplex and city officials have argued that the current parking is unsafe.
According to ms. moore's investigative reporting, the plex has everything to do with this............yes?
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
"It is truly difficult for as a small business owner to object to a plan supported by METROPLEX"-she stated. Maybe you should concentrate on Downtown? Only the City has the power of eminent domain to force a sale. Another waste of tax money that chases away businesses. As BT posted they should follow Stratton in fleeing stage left. Or make noises about leaving and take the cash.
It's very hard when those darn facts keep getting in the way of the cheerleaders spin. Metroplex and the city are involved in this together to take that parcel of land by eminent domain and it should not be allowed because this is not a great benefit/necessity to the community to seize this land. If the city and Metroplex do seize the land the bridal shop should move out of the city to a more favorable location.
Smoking/DVR must work for the People's Gazette. They are the only ones that don't realize that the names are just different heads of the same socialist snake. The the worst words for any County business person-"I'm from Metrograft and I'm here to help".
SCHENECTADY -- A bridal store owner on Upper Union Street says she is David to the city and Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority's Goliath because they want to take part of her frontage for a new parking lot.
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$700,000 wasted on the Upper Union Street "streetscape". And more empty storefronts than ever. Another total waste of taxpayer money. Especially love that bench on Dean St-real practical in winter. Instead of lowering taxes or fees let's put in new curbs!
Maybe Death Ray should listen to a successful private business? Naah-if it's broke refuse to fix it.
