Chris Churchill has details on the plan to set up the Hoffman's Playland rides at a spot near Huck Finn's Warehouse in north Albany. [TU]
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My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.
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Comments
Can anyone explain what happens if (or most likely, when) Huck Finn's doesn't achieve those lofty hiring goals? Do they have to pay back the almost 36% subsidy back to the granting institutions? It's a somewhat rhetorical question, because I'm pretty sure the answer is "nothing", but it'd be nice if someone had an answer to the contrary.
... said theshakes on Oct 6, 2014 at 3:34 PM | link
huh. Grants to keep a for-profit amusement park in business? I'm sure it's because I'm a grump and non-native to this area, but I guess I missed the part where Hoffman's is such a vital part of the area's cultural fabric that is simply CANNOT be allowed to go out of business. I was probably distracted by the noise of all the neglected 100+ year old/historic brownstones crumbling to the ground that weren't saved with city renovation grants.
... said Rebecca on Oct 6, 2014 at 4:52 PM | link
The love for Hoffman's Playland wasn't about the rides, it was about the place. Picking up the rides and moving them to another location is unlikely to capture the magic and nostalgia the Capital Region had for the original park.
I suppose there is a chance that Huck Finn can do it right. But I have grave doubts that the same rides in a different part of town will engender the same affection.
... said Daniel B. on Oct 6, 2014 at 10:47 PM | link
What about suburban Latham is memorable Dan B? It was next to a giant parking lot.
... said Hock4 on Oct 7, 2014 at 10:00 AM | link
As someone who grew up going to Hoffmans, I can say it definitely was about the rides and fun and family and not 1% about it being in Latham. Not sure why little kids would feel any differently about going on a merry go round or roller coaster or train ride in downtown Albany than they would surrounded by strip malls.
As long as Huck Finns has some kinda ice cream for sale in that proposed building, they should be fine.
... said Paul on Oct 7, 2014 at 10:48 AM | link
I think this is a wonderful development for the region and the city of Albany and look forward to being able to take the bus down with my kids to partake. There is no doubt that it won’t be identical to the Latham location, but having grown in Latham (behind Hoffman’s Playland) and now a city resident, I don’t think the magic will be lost if they are able to keep most of the rides intact. In fact, this could further the movement of opening up the waterfront, which in my opinion would be a step up for this asset from the current set up of being surrounded by a sea of suburban developments.
In this day in age, I think it’s unfortunate that tax rebates, reductions, credits, whatever you call them seem to be a perquisite for any “private†development. I don’t see it going away, and given that some of the grants being given come from private coffers (National Grid), the ultimate tax benefit equals about a fifth of the estimated cost to relocate the venue. 20% may be too steep in some people’s minds, but I think in today’s development climate, that’s a fair proposition to keep this community asset.
... said Rich on Oct 7, 2014 at 11:30 AM | link
Almost everything out here has a big parking lot (otherwise people complain about a lack of parking). But suburban Latham wasn't snarled up in electricity poles, the parking lot wasn't surrounded by barbed wire topped chain link fence, and the rides were far removed from the noise (and other pollution) of 787.
Suburban Latham feels a bit more central. And say what you will about route 9, but the last time I looked at Erie Blvd it was a cracked and overgrown mess of a road.
Maybe I'm wrong. And for what it's worth, I don't think I'd feel any differently if the rides were picked up and placed on the Giant Furniture parking lot. There is an innocence that is being lost, and personally, I'd rather lose the thing for good than to watch it be corrupted.
Hopefully, Huck Finn can keep the feeling of the place intact. Nothing would make me happier. It's just that I have my doubts.
... said Daniel B. on Oct 7, 2014 at 12:24 PM | link
I don't see it Dan B.
Barbed wire and electric poles? I'm sure Huck Finns will remove the barbed wire fence.
Latham "feels" more central? Compared to downtown Albany?
Criticizing the road that leads to Huck Finns is less than ideal? Again, I don't see it. It's like complaining about the spoons at a Frozen Yogurt shop.
... said Hock41 on Oct 7, 2014 at 2:15 PM | link
@Daniel B, more like ignorance than innocence. This may not be the unnaturally pristine suburbs, where its ok to mow down all the cheap green spaces and rename them with cute titles like "Whispering Meadows" or "Fox Run" as if they still existed and ignore the more challenging socio-economic issues in the world, but I think this area will be an excellent location for the baton to be handed over too. It's still centrally located to most of the major populations centers of the region, has easy transit access for those looking to reduce their carbon foot print, and based on the preliminary plans for growing the water front, can be a great compliment to the opportunities that Albany is looking to add there.
I will give you 787, it will be a tough sell getting parents to bring their kids to this new location, given that their kids may clear several fences and get hit by traffic; that wouldn't happen on the fence free Rt. 9 where traffic is stalled to a halt in its effort to snake through the sprawl known as Colonie, emitting pollution-free exhaust compared to its peers along 787.
... said Bill on Oct 7, 2014 at 2:33 PM | link
Dan B: I want uncorrupted childhood memories, not children having the ability to make themselves new ones.
... said Hock41 on Oct 7, 2014 at 3:36 PM | link
Well, clearly the spoon hating yogurt lovers find themselves alone once again.
For me, a lot of the appeal was the place. Once upon a time, playlands like Hoffman's were common across America. And like drive in theaters, they slowly started to close as real estate prices increased and insurance costs skyrocketed. Getting to go to Hoffman's was like an opportunity to have a walk on role for a part of American history that most people my age never witnessed.
It was never about the roller coaster or the tilt-a-whirl. You can find those elsewhere.
Take for example the carousel at the state museum. I can appreciate its beauty and form, but I find it to be a largely joyless expression removed from its natural surrounding. Thankfully, this carousel was saved. It is indeed a treasure worthy of preservation. That doesn't mean something isn't lost in the process.
And just like that carousel spins around every day, amusing a fraction of the children it once did in its prime, I suspect the same fate will befall the rides from Hoffman's.
But I do hope that I am wrong.
... said Daniel B. on Oct 7, 2014 at 9:47 PM | link
Thank god for huck fin playland
... said William on Jul 1, 2015 at 12:48 PM | link