Troy police find guns during raid, suit filed over landfill expansion, local company dumps chamber of commerce over climate change legislation, sole tenant leaving Kiernan Plaza
Troy police say they found a shotgun and an assault rifle during raid connected to the investigation of last week's fatal shooting in south Troy. They also arrested a man. But they say the guns weren't used in the crime nor is the man a suspect. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [TU]
Save the Pine Bush is suing the City of Albany and the DEC in attempt to block expansion of the city landfill. A volunteer for the environmental org says the city "needs to adopt a rational solid waste policy that does not include destroying 15 acres of rare Pine Bush ecosystem." [AP/CBS6] [TU]
The judge in Adrian Thomas case has ruled that the jury will not hear testimony from dueling expert witnesses about the possibility of a coerced confession. Closing arguments are scheduled to start today. [Troy Record] [TU]
David Paterson said yesterday that he will be including the soda tax in next year's proposed budget. The Paterson Administration also said same-sex marriage will be on the agenda for next week's planned special legislative session. [WNYC] [NYDN]
An overflow crowd showed up for a public hearing over Saratoga Springs' proposed budget, which includes an almost 8 percent tax increase and the elimination of 27 full-time jobs. [Saratogian]
LaSalle and CBA have decided to not merge, in large because of concerns from alumni. A CBA board member said there's still a declining a number of teenage boys in the area -- and a LaSalle board member said tuition increases or staff cuts may be necessary. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
The first phase of the Hudson River dredging project finishes this week. [CapNews9]
The new leadership at the State Liquor Authority appears to be making big gains in the speed with which the body processes applications. [TU]
Mohawk Fine Papers -- based in Cohoes -- announced yesterday that it's quitting the US Chamber of Commerce because of the org's opposition to climate change legislation. Mohawk's web site says many of the company's products are carbon neutral. [MFP] [PRNewswire] [AP] [MFP]
Jerry Jennings said he'd like to see Kiernan Plaza -- the former Union Station in downtown Albany -- become public retail space after the bank that currently occupies it moves out early next year. [TU]
The head of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau quit yesterday. Apparently he's moving back to South Carolina because he couldn't sell his house there. [TU] [Saratogian]
A Colonie teen, home sick from school, says she was in her house during a break-in yesterday. [Fox23]
Proctors is taking over management of SACC-TV, Schenectady's public access TV station. [TU]
It looks like the Firebirds -- Albany's arena football team -- won't be playing next year. [WNYT]
One side effect of the Siena basketball team's success in last season's NCAA tournament: a deluge of friend requests on Facebook for the players. [TU]
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If you ever get a chance to go inside Kiernan Plaza, by all means, take it. The facility is gorgeous.
Maybe Sebastien and friends can get in to photograph it *before* it falls into disrepair again.
... said komradebob on Oct 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM | link
I'm really pleased to see that Jennings wants to make sure Kiernan Plaza continues in all it's glory, but I don't think retail space will work, on account that there is so much retail space along Broadway as it is, and vendors seem to be too nervous to move in because there just isn't enough residents in downtown anymore. I say make it the new public library. The space on Washington is atrocious.
... said Summer on Oct 22, 2009 at 10:13 AM | link
Someone better do something about Kiernan Plaza, before Mayor Jennings turns it into yet another brew pub.
... said Chuck Miller on Oct 22, 2009 at 6:12 PM | link
@ sumnmer - I don't know if there's enough square footage in there to replace the public library - though we desperately need a better main branch. The current one was established in an office buildinbg and is completely uninviting.
... said daleyplanit on Oct 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM | link
@daileyplanit: good point, but the building IS pretty darn big. They might have to knock down walls and such, but should be doable.
In years past I advocated for St. Joseph's becoming the new main branch, but I think it's a little too far from the main drag. Kiernan Plaza is in the ideal location, plus I feel that libraries should be housed in a grand, aesthetically pleasing environment. The current branch fails on so many levels.
... said Summer on Oct 23, 2009 at 2:09 PM | link
Woah. That one tiny photo on the TU site makes me want to photograph the inside of Kiernan Plaza sooooo bad. Whatever it's used for, I hope it's at least open to the public.
... said Paul on Oct 26, 2009 at 10:52 AM | link
@ summer - you may be right. Consider Albany buisinesses are desperate for "class A" office space (it's why the schwab building is at capacity and there are empty offices on state). Redevelop the library site to Class A space. Use a portion of the proceeds to fund the relocatation of the library to a building not suited for an office - the new scotland armory, the keirnan plaza, heck if it's gotta be a NEW building, then so be it. We need a world-class library - we're the capital of New York for chrissake. Google Salt Lake City's public library. Ok, so it's a bigger, waelthier city, but c'mon - we can't let those guys show us up, can we?!
... said daleyplanit on Oct 27, 2009 at 10:08 AM | link
@Paul: you can click to see a slightly bigger version, and yes we should go.
... said -S on Oct 27, 2009 at 12:00 PM | link
@daleyplanit: here, here!
Now who do we tell? haha
... said Summer on Oct 27, 2009 at 1:17 PM | link