The 1 Monument Square project is off (again)
A rendering from one of the last iterations of the current project.
The development company behind the latest effort to build on the 1 Monument Square site in downtown Troy announced Friday that it's pulling out of the $24 million residential/retail project.
In statements, officials for the Kirchoff Companies criticized the city of Troy for what they described as "materially inadequate" info about underground utility lines that complicated construction at the site. And they had sharp words for a group that organized to oppose the project, questioning whether the group had the city's best interests at heart. [TU] [Biz Review]
That group, We Care About the Square, had argued that changes Kirchoff made to its original proposal -- including switching from two buildings to one -- had evolved the project to a degree that it significantly differed from what had first been pitched. In a statement posted on Facebook Friday, it called the proposed project "substandard." It continued:
"Anyone who has been listening to the debate knows that WCATS is a pro-development, pro-design, pro-quality group of invested citizens that values the extraordinary urban and architectural assets of Troy and wants to see the gap in River Street and our city's river façade completed in a manner that connects the downtown to the Riverfront, meets the highest standards of excellence in architectural design, and is of the construction quality the city deserves."
This ending wasn't really a surprise.
The situation appeared to be turning in this direction after an attorney for We Care About the Square announced at a city planning board meeting last October that legal action was a possibility if the project wasn't sent out for new bids. Afterward, an official for Kirchoff said the company was still committed to the project, but there was also visible frustration. The project took another hit when the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market announced in November it would no longer seek to occupy a large portion of the project's street-level retail space. The project had recently been stuck in a sort of limbo as the new mayoral administration of Patrick Madden decided whether to grant an extension on the development agreement for the site.
This latest proposed project was first announced in February of 2014, and ultimately included one building with 75-80 residential units, 84 parking spaces on ground level, and street-level restaurant and retail space. It was the third major effort to build at the site, which had been cleared when Troy's former city hall was demolished in 2011.
Earlier
+ Troy farmers' market drops out of 1 Monument Square plan
+ AOA: The 1 Monument Square project and its opponents
+ Biz Review: Developer faces doubts, questions over One Monument Square in downtown Troy
+ AOA: A look at the latest plan for the 1 Monument Square project in Troy (2015 July)
+ AOA: The latest 1 Monument Square plan evolves (2014 September)
+ AOA: The new plan for redeveloping the Monument Square site in downtown Troy (2014 February)
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Comments
Ahh, delicious drama *grabs popcorn*
Just think of all the taxpayer dollars wasted "planning" this nonsense in cash-strapped Troy.
... said Sean on Apr 29, 2016 at 6:29 PM | link
Good bye, Kirchoff Companies. Good bye and good riddance. The original proposal was very attractive. But that design disappeared. What Kirchoff offered in its place was wholly unacceptable. Troy is well rid of it.
... said Dot Beech on Apr 30, 2016 at 7:55 PM | link
I know the architecture snobs will disagree, but the old city hall looked better than this gaping hole.
I like how "We Care About The Square", in the history of the site, conveniently leaves out what the main opposition to the 2011 proposal was-- that included subsidized rentals. Actually, they skip over the 2011 proposal entirely-- http://wecareaboutthesquare.com/?page_id=112
Imagine the horror of less-than-wealthy people occupying apartments in downtown troy. Thank goodness that didn't happen and we have a permanent vacant lot instead.
... said Blech on May 1, 2016 at 12:50 PM | link
Blech- The opposition for the 2011 plans came from the new administration that took over after that particular RFP was chosen, not from WCATS. The group was formed after it became apparent that Kirchoff & Co were trying to push through the cheapest building they could instead of what was presented in their original RFP design.
Sean- Taxpayer money was wasted but it was in the form of state grants that were earmarked for the project to begin with. It looks like the only real loss to the city was a lot of wasted time and the entire purchase price of the site which, depending on who you speak with, was sold too cheaply. The city gets to keep the deposit which I'm sure they'll use wisely. And by wisely I mean they'll blow it all on consultants for various studies that will never be used. We're nothing if not predictable.
... said CMaxby on May 2, 2016 at 9:34 AM | link
Is it a new trend where developers propose something and then try to get away with building something completely different? Or is it just happening closer to home so I'm finally hearing & caring about it?
There has been the Casino case in Schenectady, this, the (former) Moore Hall project in Saratoga which is ongoing.
I've also heard about a less publicized battle also in Saratoga over a barn restoration, where the developer got all kinds of conditional variances to do it, and began systematically swapping out pieces to build an entirely new structure.
It feels like the same crap that gets pulled in politics and finance. A fine, and maybe a verbal thrashing in exchange for doing whatever they want.
... said Jeff D on May 2, 2016 at 11:40 AM | link
Loved the art work involved for Monument Square picture!
Reminded me of French Impressionist style.
... said mg on May 2, 2016 at 4:17 PM | link