Eminent domain possibility in downtown Albany parcels

Mike DeMasi reports that the Albany IDA and Capitalize Albany are looking at the possibility of using eminent domain to acquire a bunch of parcels that are part of the former convention center/parking lot district site downtown. (A tangential question to this story: How much of downtown Albany is vacant not because of lack of demand, but because the owner of the parcels/buildings is just sitting on it or not focused on it?) [Biz Review]

Earlier: Here's the latest outline of a plan for redeveloping the former convention center site in downtown Albany

Comments

This is part of the reason why Albany is the capital of NY State in name only.

oh, please NO aquarium! Rotterdam's is close enough and good enough for the region, we surely do not need 2. Let's move the Greyhound/Trailways station to the Amtrak station for a truly intermodal transport hub--it adds little if any value to downtown. And let's start the eminent domain process....it's been waayyy too long having those empty lots and vacant buildings just "sitting there". Like Troy's city hall site, this is Albany's once-in-a-generation opportunity, let's not blow it by putting in generic buildings. Multi-use, architectural significant, sizeable structures with services to support the slowly developing residential sector of downtown---it could help bolster the struggling south end too.

GREEN SPACE PLEASE. How about at least a large, open green space for various use.. soccer, ultimate, yoga, etc. You name it. Yes, there are ongoing maintenance costs, but much less construction costs.

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