ALBANY — Council members say city funds shouldn’t be spent on a “linear park” when infrastructure is crumbling and neighborhoods continue to struggle.

Many who initially supported the now nearly $16 million Albany Skyway project, expected to repurpose an underused I-787 exit ramp to connect Clinton Square to Albany’s waterfront, are balking at $1.5 million bond that would pay for the preliminary and final design of enhanced amenities along the park.

Albany Common Council members on Thursday voted 10-1 against borrowing the money. (There were four abstentions.) Cathy Fahey was the only member to vote in favor of the borrowing. Dorcey Applyrs was absent.

Councilwoman Joyce Love, who represents the Third Ward where the Skyway is proposed, said she voted against the bonding because of the blight that plagues her community.

“I was never in support of the Skyway project,” she said. “I would like to see them invest more money in the Third Ward before we take on the Skyway project. There are some projects going on, but it’s not enough. We have a long way to go.”

It was the only bond resolution of 14 to be voted down, with others – like roughly $1 million for Albany Fire Department vehicles and apparatus, and over $2 million for purchasing and maintaining vehicles in the Department of General Services – passing unanimously.

“This is one of those things where there were a variety of concerns about it, and the expense of it,” said Councilwoman Judy Doesschate, the council’s finance committee chair, who voted against the Skyway bonding. “If we weren’t up against debt limits and had greater (financial) commitment from someplace else people may feel differently.”

The city has already secured state funding to cover the initial construction of the project, which converts the ramp at Quay Street into a pedestrian and bike connector to the Corning Preserve, but money for enhanced amenities hasn’t been guaranteed.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s chief of staff Brian Shea said the city expects repurposed funds from the state Department of Transportation to cover the $1.5 million for which the council was asked to approve bonding.

“We’re disappointed in the vote, but we’ll be engaging the council on this,” Shea said. “The project is going to continue to go forward.”

Regardless, other support isn't certain.

The Arbor Hill Neighborhood Association, which was engaged in the process as the Skyway planning took shape throughout 2018, was supportive of the project. But concern that the $1.5 million could burden the city – with large borrowing needs looming in the future, like continued improvements to the city roads or the pending closure of the Rapp Road Landfill – has created reflection among neighbors.

Association President Brenda Robinson said they can’t support an added burden to the community.

“We also feel if there was an issue of money, or anything else that may be a burden to the community relating to this project, it should have been brought to the attention of the community much earlier than right before the vote,” she said in an emailed statement. “We must work together to make the best decisions for our community. I look forward to further discussions about this project and other projects in Arbor Hill.”

With no outside funding guaranteed, the city is on the hook for $12.9 million to get the linear park fully functioning. Outside of the $1.5 million in borrowing that was voted down, another $8 million is set to be borrowed in 2020, according to the city’s five-year capital plan.

Albany has in the past relied on the hope of funding coming through – from the budgeted millions on the red-light camera tickets that never materialized to the $12.5 million in Capital City funding, which officials still must beg for from the state each year. (Regarding the latter, Albany received $500,000 less than what was asked for last year.)

The Skyway project was initiated with a $375,000 grant awarded in 2016 through the Regional Economic Development Council. The grant helped look at the feasibility and design of the linear park.

Then in 2018, the state announced $3.1 million in funds that would ensure the general construction of the linear park.

Councilman Owusu Anane, who represents the 10th Ward Pine Hills neighborhood, said at time that resources should be focused on areas that are more in need as well as resurrecting Pearl Street – a major thoroughfare in Downtown Albany.

Last year the Capital City received a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant that specifically focuses on downtown development, and most recently Schenectady-based Redburn Development Partners announced plans for a $78 million investment to transform 450,000 square feet of real estate downtown into new mixed-income apartments, commercial and retail space, and parking.

Further into Arbor Hill, where the Skyway in intended to connect the neighborhood to the waterfront, Clinton Avenue is seeing dozens of vacant and crumbling buildings rehabilitated by Rochester-based Home Leasing into affordable housing. Redburn also plans affordable housing on Sheridan Avenue.

"I believe that the skyline could be a very creative addition to Downtown Albany, but I don't believe that this is an ideal time to essentially 'expand downtown Albany,' " Anane said. "This is ultimately an issue about priorities and there is no question that these millions of dollars are desperately needed in other parts of Albany that have struggled for decades."

South End's councilman Derek Johnson said the city should prioritize the people who are already living in Albany.

"We've got great people in the city, and when I hear about attracting more people, I feel like we need to be better about the people who are here," he said. "Would you build a driveway before you build a house?"

The focus should be on Albany's youth – providing a community center for them to go to after school, connecting them with the resources they need to be productive, Johnson said.