This is yet even more proof that the city has to entice folks with 'give-a-ways' at the taxpayer's expense. No one is investing in schenectady because THEY WANT TO!!! Smart investors know that it is a way of making a 'quick buck' then they will move out!

They tried this with the Guyanese and that didn't work out so well either. They clean up their properties with low mortgage interest rate, their taxes went sky high, crime increased all around them and the schools failed. Now even the Guyanese are moving out!!

They cleaned up their properties, invested their money and watched the DEM assessor/all DEM assessment review screw them over. They can't even get a proper cricket field set up. Schenectady will never be confused with Barbados. They are returning in droves to NYC. Another legacy of Stratton's "leadership".

As far as State St. from Erie to Western Gateway Bridge goes one may forsee a scenario such as this.   As the Plex continues it's migration in this direction the existing vacant bldg. holders are logistically well placed.   They know full well  the Downtown revtalization will not stop where it is.   If one waits long enough and can hold out, a generous offer for the vacant property will be forthcoming.   Probably much more than being sold to a private concern.   Especially if said location impedes the attractivness of improvments leading up to that location.   For as each progress that is made lands it next to any blighted property, that property MUST be acquired by Plex related endeavors, otherwise it is a drain on the improvments leading to such blight.   You cannot have a missing piece of the overall puzzle dotted by pockets of blight.   If in fact owners down that way see it this way, profit should come their way.   Only thing is, will the Plex be on the hook for inflated prices as it advances.   They may very well be a financial victim to their own success, such as it is.   And furthering it's decent into fiscal imbalance.

If the Plex had done it's job correctly, there COULD have been either a large retailer or nano-tech or a number of other businesses in Schenectady with hundreds of new employment positions.

Then, the Plex should have put a stipulation for these companies to have a residency requirement for the new workers. Therefore, bringing PEOPLE...HOMEOWNERS..TAXPAYERS back to the area.

Bottom line, Metroplex failed. It has wasted millions of dollars of the sales tax monies and of the future monies the City could have generated in property and school taxes.

You can't get that money back. No matter what asinine idea the 'leaders' of Schenectady come up with.  

Quoted from rachel72

If the Plex had done it's job correctly, there COULD have been either a large retailer or nano-tech or a number of other businesses in Schenectady with hundreds of new employment positions.

You can't get that money back. No matter what asinine idea the 'leaders' of Schenectady come up with.  

For the millions that Death Ray flushed on the "arts" and governmental gin mills {one of which never even opened} 5 corporate/industrial parks could have been constructed and the rail line doubled. That would have brought back the neighborhoods, jobs and increased nonresidential revenues. The Maxon Road corporate park is filled. We need reindustrialization-not idiotic nonprofit "solutions".

     The DEMS still don't get it. A condo proposal for Barrett St was announced last year. No one wanted the condos so they switched to apartments. Still nothing is happening. More abandoned buildings off the tax rolls. The Ba-Ba "plan" came about because no one wants the old Mt Pleasant firehouse at this tax rate. Instead of lowering the rate which would produce more revenue they come up with this nonsense.

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
Council backs plan to fill buildings owned by city
Entrepreneurs could open business without paying rent
BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com.

    Schenectady is now looking for a few good entrepreneurs.
    City Councilwoman Barbara Blanchard persuaded her colleagues Monday to support her idea for bringing businesses to the city’s neighborhoods.
    She wants to place entrepreneurs in the vacant buildings owned by the city, which the city can’t afford to knock down or fix up. The city owns about 80 abandoned houses, including three commercial properties, and many of the buildings line Schenectady’s business districts. They could be filled with new businesses that would use the property rent-free for a year or more before negotiating to buy or pay rent.
    The idea got little support when she first suggested it two weeks ago, but this time a majority of the council agreed with her.
    The city will now collect business plans from prospective owners, although council members noted that they may choose not to support any of the plans they’re offered.
    The council is looking to fi ll several properties right now, including the former Brandywine Avenue firehouse and a former city offi ce on Crane Street. City offi cials are also considering bids from prospective buyers for both buildings.
    Councilman Joseph Allen said offering the buildings rent-free could spark development in the city’s long-crumbling neighborhood business districts.
    “Crane Street needs so much,” he said. “We need to start somewhere. This could start something.”
    Councilman Thomas Della Sala agreed. “If it would bring in businesses to the neighborhoods, I think there’s merit there,” he said. .....................>>>>.....................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00803&AppName=1

Rent AND Inusrance free for two years and THEN negotiate buying or leasing? Only in Sch'dy.

"Crane St needs so much"-just Crane St? The City needs so much-like all new people in City Hall. Bravo to Denise Brucker who seems to be the only one that hasn't totally lost her mind. The City taxpayers will be responsible for all maintenance and insurance.

     This proves once again how totally clueless the DEMS/Metrograft are. How does this generate any revenue? They have no clue how to provide the environment for job growth or private sector development. They know from nonprofit/public sector "solutions". Crane St merchants like the rest of the City needs serious property tax relief. Not for a lucky one but across the board.

Where do we get a list of these buildings? Are all of these potential buildings up to code? If not, who pays to make them compliant? Who pays for all repairs for 2 years? Roof, heating, water....etc? Are these buildings going to be advertised as 'as in condition'"  I hope these don't end up becoming a taxpayer's money pit like the plex.

It was refreshing to hear that they acknowledge that Crane Street needs businesses. That must be why they enticed Marcellas to move from Crane St and to Broadway.

The City taxpayers will be on the hook for all repairs and maintenance. Metrograft entices Marcella's to flee Crane St and then the DEMS wonder why the street is imploding? Crane St is imploding because of DEM policies for 35 years. Record taxes, absentee landlords who can't sell/repair because of the high taxes, exploding gang/crime violence. The City DEMS simply refuse to understand like JFK that cutting property taxes would INCREASE revenue. Abandoned stores and homes would go back on the City tax rolls. They rather help one person and screw everyone else.

     Giving away an old firehouse, instead of selling it for a $1 {the going "renaissance" price} will do nothing to improve conditions. It will do nothing to increase City revenue. Someone will milk it for a few years and move on. Any bids on the Schenectady Armory?

let's all get together and get into one of these building....they will be wifi cafe's and we can use the forums as background and learn the locals what
the government IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING......BUT WHAT THEY SHOULD/COULD BE DOING...

Quoted Text

Rent-free idea makes no sense for Schenectady

    The “free rent” editorial by the Gazette [March 3] had incorrect facts to support its position. Selling surplus property is a better fi nancial option for Schenectady’s residents and business owners than offering them free rent.
    The city does not own “lots of vacant buildings” and certainly not “25 in various neighborhoods.” The city owns only three vacant commercial buildings citywide. The majority of vacant buildings are privately owned. The city has no right to rent those buildings for free. The maintenance that the city does on these privately owned abandoned buildings is billed back to the property owners. The properties are already on the tax rolls and producing revenue to support city services. Their owners may not be paying those taxes, and if that is the case, the city will take title to them after a lengthy foreclosure process.
    When the city takes ownership of a building, chances are it is not in suitable condition to be rented. Leaking roofs, stolen copper, missing or frozen pipes, broken doors and windows, garbage and standing water and sewage are only a few of the issues we inherit. Council member Denise Brucker is correct in her reluctance to have the city become a landlord. The city lacks the personnel necessary to monitor leased properties and would be undertaking substantial expense to repair and maintain buildings that Council member Blanchard has proposed be leased for free. The city (you and me) would need to invest tens of thousands of dollars in each property before each property could be occupied.
    When the city does sell a property through its long-standing property disposition process, it has been careful to limit the disposition of property and ensure a proper use for its surplus property. Properties are not automatically sold to the highest bidder. City officials analyze the proposed use, the renovation schedule, and the fi nancial resources and ownership history of the potential purchasers before selecting the proposal that ensures greatest long-term benefit to the commercial district/neighborhood and to city residents.
    The Gazette’s conclusion that the city “should embrace the concept ... without a financial contribution from a city that cannot afford it” misunderstands the facts. The rent-free concept will require a fi nancial contribution from a city that cannot afford it. By selling vacant surplus properties, the city prudently controls costs by removing the expense of managing the property. There is already a long list of city-owned property awaiting demolition funds. We do not need to add to this list.

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00702&AppName=1

Just the "Free Rent" editorial had incorrect facts? One in a hundred Gazetto editorials makes any sense. If they have to make up facts to support their absurd liberal positions-so be it. Bravo to the City planner for finally calling them on it.

      The City owns 3 commercial buildings which should be sold at auction to the highest bidder ($1). This idiotic rent free idea will cost the City taxpayers thousands to oversee while generating nothing. It will be another DEM friends and family club. Let's give Joe Blow free rent because he donated to our campaigns? This is further proof that both Metrograft and the City DEMS are totally clueless as to how to create jobs or save any neighborhood.

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
Entrepreneurs to vie for rent-free sites
BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter

    Entrepreneurs, sharpen your pencils.
    The city is now accepting proposals from would-be business owners who would set up shop in an abandoned commercial building and keep it in good repair. The carrot: the business owner doesn’t have to pay any rent.
    The fi rst four commercial properties up for proposals are at 218 Brandywine Ave., 1705 Broadway, 901 Crane St. and 1335 State St.
    But business owners will have to compete against others who want to buy the properties. A city committee will pick the best proposal for each site.
    City Councilwoman Barbara Blanchard, who pushed for free-rent proposals, was thrilled that her idea finally made it onto the city’s offi cial paperwork. Now she’s hoping someone will take the city up on its offer.
    “To have even one strong business on a street can really make a difference in the vitality of that street,” she said. “I hope somebody responds, somebody who’s really good. We need to try a variety of techniques to revitalize neighborhoods.”
    The city will hold an informational meeting Tuesday at noon at City Hall to go over the proposal process. All of the buildings will be open for inspection on Saturday. Proposals are due May 11; paperwork can be found online at collarcityauctions.com.
    Residential buildings are also up for sale, but the city is not seeking business proposals for those.
    The commercial buildings are all on main business corridors.
    On Brandywine Avenue, the former firehouse is available. It’s two stories and 5,576 square feet. The one-hour open house there starts at 12:45 p.m.
    On Broadway, a former autobody shop could be used by a new business. It’s 1,355 square feet and includes two car bays. The open house there is from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.
    On Crane Street, a former city office is listed. It’s a two-story detached row house with 4,425 square feet. The open house runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    The last commercial building is a converted residence on State Street. It’s 2,544 square feet and has a wide storefront window on the fi rst fl oor, facing the street. There are apartments above, which use a separate entrance. The one-hour open house there begins at 10:15 a.m.
    Also for sale are three two-family residences: 526 Summit Ave.; 334 Brandywine Ave.; and 319 Duane Ave. There is also one three-family residence, 427 McClellan St., and a single-family residence at 10 Western Parkway.

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00102&AppName=1

Is this their idea of metroplex for the neighborhoods