Monument Square on ice?


Former Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian floated an interesting idea for the 1 Monument Square site on Twitter this week (embedded above). As he followed-up in a reply: "Everyone who skates in Victorian costumes can skate for free."

An ice rink in the bowl (if that's the word) could be a fun scene. It'd probably be hard to pull off for the current winter, considering winter is pretty much already here. And the cost would be an obstacle, especially since Troy is so strapped for cash. (It looks like a portable rink might be somewhere in the $100k range. Maybe it's possible to rent for less.)

But, if anything, it's good to be thinking about how to use that prime spot for something other than a de facto parking lot. There's gotta be all sorts of ways to activate that space. Maybe show movies there again. Or a wiffle ball tournament (it does kind of look like a baseball diamond). Or art. Or some sort of architecture event (touchy subject). Something more than a blank space in the downtown picture.

Comments

RPI vs Union outdoor game!!!! Maybe it could be like Center City in Schenectady in the 80s!!

Harry should think outside the box a little bit. Instead of an ice rink what if they put like a perfectly good city hall bldg there or something like that.

How about a multiplex movie theater??

YES!

I mean... it's winter in Troy. We're about to have so many water mains burst that we'll be flush with skating rinks in no time!

It has been used a few times for the public- there was a rave down there, a few parties... It's pretty much the de facto downtown fireworks spot. Some fun graffiti has popped up, been painted over, and popped up again.

People do use it beyond just a parking hole but I'd love to see it utilized more.

Fail to plan, plan to fail. There should have been a plan BEFORE city hall moved from the spot and much sooner than the time of demolition. But alas, politics only works from a very narrow perspective, normally commencing from the center of oneself...

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine