Questions about further development at Harriman campus, free lunches for all in Schenectady school district, more Uncle Sam abuse
Current question: What exactly is the state's plan now for (re)development of the Harriman State Office Campus -- and what does it mean for Albany? On Thursday the state officially announced it will be renovating one of the building on the Harriman campus and moving employees to it. Lieutenant governor Bob Duffy on private development at Harriman: "I mean, look at this campus. It's immense and there's a lot of potential that's wide open, but it's probably best to make announcements when deals are finalized and not when they're being discussed or contemplated." [TU] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [YNN]
Troy fire chief Thomas Garrett faced questions from the city council's public safety committee Thursday night about the emergency demolition of four buildings on King Street last week. One of the topics: asbestos in the buildings and how it was handled. Mayor Lou Rosamilia said the city needs to look at is process for emergency demolition: "That's the outcome of this. This should never happen again. This confusion that was created, we're trying to eliminate that." [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU] [YNN]
School lunches will be provided free to every student in the Schenectady school district during the upcoming school year -- about 80 percent of the district's student qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, but the district said many students weren't participating because of the stigma. [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady man survived after a 40-car train passed directly over as he was lying in between the rails Thursday morning, according to Schenectady public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett. Police say the man had only minor injuries. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany police say officers responding to a reported shooting in West Hill Thursday evening (block map) found a 22-year-old man with two gunshot wounds to the abdomen. APD says he's in stable condition, and detectives are investigating. [APD]
At a pretrial hearing Thursday, the attorney for Gloria Nelligan argued her statement to police about the death of her grandson was not voluntary and that she didn't have proper legal representation while talking with police. Nelligan's trial is set to being next month. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
David Ehrlich, a now-disbarred attorney from Cohoes who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and lying to clients, was sentenced to a year in prison. [Troy Record] [TU]
The Albany County Sheriff's Office says a man waiting for a mental health hearing at the Albany County Courthouse
Another of the Uncles Sam in Troy has been decapitated. Troy police say bagel shop employees reported the head of a Sam on Congress Street being "forcibly removed" Thursday morning. [Troy Record] [TU]
The Morrissey Fountain in Congress Park was vandalized -- again. The city's public works commissioner says surveillance video shows people trying to take coins from the fountain and then "one of them decided to take a ride on it." [TU] [Saratogian]
Albany mayoral candidate Corey Ellis called for tax breaks for rehabbing homes in neighborhoods with high crime and unemployment. [TU]
The developer that wanted to building a 70-unit apartment building at 733 Broadway in downtown Albany says the project is dead after the the Albany IDA rejected a request for a PILOT that would have resulted in an estimated $10 million tax break. [TU]
Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy's decision to allow members of the city sewage treatment plant staff to live outside the city -- after he required the now-former city assessor to move into the city or not have her contract renewed -- drew criticism. [Daily Gazette]
The towns of Schoharie and Esperance are arguing that flood damage has significantly decreased property values and as a result the state's calculation for aid to the communities should change. [TU]
Rising median income and the "tech boom" are being credited with luring higher-end retailers to the Capital Region. [TU]
Dion Lewis, a former star running back at Albany Academy, broke his leg in a pre-season game with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and is likely out for the season. [AP/Troy Record]
APD: Shooting
Albany police are investigating a shooting that occurred on Second Street.
On Thursday August 15, 2013, at approximately 7:45 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of Second Street for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located Myles Young, 22, of Albany, with two gunshot wounds to the abdomen.
Young was treated at the scene by medical personnel and transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital. He is currently admitted at the hospital and is listed in stable condition.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Detective Division at (518) 462-8039
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Comments
Although the governor calls the Harriman campus a "great state asset", the City of Albany cannot say the same. Albany residents seem to lose no matter what happens. If the land goes to private developers through the Start Up NY plan, we won't see tax revenue for five or so years (and who knows if they'd push for a continuation of tax relief after the Start Up NY grant expires). Not only that, but right now the state pays Albany approximately 12 million dollars a year to use the land. If we turn that over to private companies under Start Up NY it lands right on the backs of the Albany taxpayers.
Bob Duffy's quote infuriates me. That they don't want to make announcements until deals are finalized shows how little the state cares for Albany. Without the input of the neighbors we'll end up with a Walmart in our back yard with nothing to show for it except for jobs with low low wages.
... said Valerae on Aug 19, 2013 at 12:05 PM | link