Troy

The Approach's grand steps connecting the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus to downtown aren't that spectacular for the final descent.

Just a barren concrete stairway in need of renovations is the final leg down the hill.

That will change under an agreement between RPI and the city that calls for the nonprofit responsible for tending to the landmark staircase to take over the final steps down or the first steps up the hill.

As downtown has revived, more students are climbing up and down the Approach on a daily basis.

Mateo Mengis, a first-year graduate student in electrical and computer engineering, lives on River Street and likes the grand staircase.

"It fits in with the surroundings of the campus, Mengis said.

He added that turning the steps over to the Approach and Beyond Foundation for maintenance and development would be a reasonable idea.

The official name is the Louis Rubin Memorial Approach. It's named in honor of a Troy businessman and philanthropist who pushed to restore the stairs in 1992.

About $1 million was raised to restore the staircase with its landings and lights. It was built in 1907 for $40,000. Adjusting for inflation, that would be $1,020,000 in 2013, according to MeasuringWorth.com.

The Planning Committee gave its endorsement to the property transfer.

Red Griffin, the attorney representing the foundation, said the nonprofit has a pledge to pay for improvements to the lower area by the concrete steps.

Deputy Mayor Peter Ryan said the foundation would make landscaping improvements and take care of the area. Details about plans for the improvements were not immediately available.

"Transferring this small parcel of land to the Approach and Beyond Foundation is a win-win situation," said Michael T. Mullaney, a spokesman for RPI.

"It is a smart and efficient solution that relieves the city of Troy from spending time and money to upkeep the small, out-of-the-way parcel between the bottom of The Approach and Blitman Commons," Mullaney said, referring to the RPI dormitory at the base of the Approach.

"The foundation will now assume responsibility for the ongoing maintenance and repair of the area from the top of The Approach all the way down to Blitman Common," he said.

The city has to go through the technicalities of declaring the property as unneeded so it can dispose of the parcel.

"It's going to be advertised for sale," said Michael Morris, spokesman for Mayor Lou Rosamilia. "I don't see anyone else being interested other than RPI," Morris said about the lot.

The City Council is expected to approve the transfer in November.

Griffin has contacted Rensselaer County about securing an easement at Seventh Street which the Approach crosses. Currently, the street on either side of the Approach is used for parking.

The county is reviewing the request, said Chris Meyer, a county spokesman.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe