Hello, Collar City! This is Issue 45, dated July 26, 2019.

City Council Roundup

Scolite Update

A Few Important Things That TL Covered

Troy Industrial Development Authority, Local Development Corporation, and Capital Resource Corporation meetings . I seldom—but occasionally, like last Friday—missed these meetings during TL's existence. These city-affiliated entities meet on Friday mornings. The IDA's ability to award tax abatements gives it considerable power over the fate of construction projects in the city. The LDC lacks that power, but in recent months it has become a partner on two high-profile redevelopment projects (1MSQ and the Taylor Apartments), and its executive director, Steve Strichman, who is also the planning commissioner, has said the city wants the entity to become more active in matters of economic development.

. I seldom—but occasionally, like last Friday—missed these meetings during TL's existence. These city-affiliated entities meet on Friday mornings. The IDA's ability to award tax abatements gives it considerable power over the fate of construction projects in the city. The LDC lacks that power, but in recent months it has become a partner on two high-profile redevelopment projects (1MSQ and the Taylor Apartments), and its executive director, Steve Strichman, who is also the planning commissioner, has said the city wants the entity to become more active in matters of economic development. Troy Community Land Bank meetings. Another city-affiliated (though largely state-funded) entity, the TCLB typically meets on Wednesdays once a month. It has focused its mission—to acquire, demolish or stabilize and/or redevelop, and sell vacant/derelict properties—on the North Central neighborhood. It recently embarked on an ambitious (and rather expensive) project at 791 River St. involving new construction, a plan I covered as it evolved.

Another city-affiliated (though largely state-funded) entity, the TCLB typically meets on Wednesdays once a month. It has focused its mission—to acquire, demolish or stabilize and/or redevelop, and sell vacant/derelict properties—on the North Central neighborhood. It recently embarked on an ambitious (and rather expensive) project at 791 River St. involving new construction, a plan I covered as it evolved. City Council meetings . Other media outlets, of course, cover these meetings, but I'm particularly proud of my rather granular coverage, in early TLs, of committee hearings on the then-proposed 2019 budget (ex/ TL9's overview of the police department's budget). Keep an eye out for these meetings this fall; they offer an opportunity to learn a lot about the operations of specific city departments.

. Other media outlets, of course, cover these meetings, but I'm particularly proud of my rather granular coverage, in early TLs, of committee hearings on the then-proposed 2019 budget (ex/ TL9's overview of the police department's budget). Keep an eye out for these meetings this fall; they offer an opportunity to learn a lot about the operations of specific city departments. The three mayoral candidates. I interviewed them all (Reale here, Wiltshire here, Madden here). Feel free to refer back to those as the general election approaches.

I interviewed them all (Reale here, Wiltshire here, Madden here). Feel free to refer back to those as the general election approaches. CDTA's planned bus hub in downtown Troy . For The Alt and then for TL, I covered CDTA's eminent domain case against the owner of the Uncle Sam Parking Garage property, a portion of which the transportation agency has sought to acquire for a major stop along its planned rapid transit line that will run through Troy. In TL37 I reported that CDTA's CEO said publicly that CDTA may have to consider alternatives to the hub as long envisioned. Stay tuned?

. For The Alt and then for TL, I covered CDTA's eminent domain case against the owner of the Uncle Sam Parking Garage property, a portion of which the transportation agency has sought to acquire for a major stop along its planned rapid transit line that will run through Troy. In TL37 I reported that CDTA's CEO said publicly that CDTA may have to consider alternatives to the hub as long envisioned. Stay tuned? Lamont Lee's federal lawsuit against the city , which I reported in TL34 along with video footage I obtained that had never before been made available to the broader public.

, which I reported in TL34 along with video footage I obtained that had never before been made available to the broader public. Intriguing plans : TL covered this city council dog park committee report and this potential Poestenkill improvements study, both of which contain interesting ideas not yet implemented. Maybe someday, especially if there's further public advocacy?

: TL covered this city council dog park committee report and this potential Poestenkill improvements study, both of which contain interesting ideas not yet implemented. Maybe someday, especially if there's further public advocacy? The Mt. Ida Lake Dam demolition (and potential reconstruction) . I covered a number of meetings related to the structurally unsound condition of this dam on the Poestenkill. Where things stand: The state had approved the city's plan to deconstruct the dam, but when the city prepared to start work, it discovered much more sediment behind the dam than anticipated. It has sought a modification of its state permit, which DEC still has not approved, deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski told me last night. The administration has repeatedly said publicly that it has not decided whether or not to rebuild the dam. Save Ida Lake/Friends of Ida Lake has advocated for the dam's preservation/reconstruction, while a Riverkeeper representative has encouraged the city not to replace it.

. I covered a number of meetings related to the structurally unsound condition of this dam on the Poestenkill. Where things stand: The state had approved the city's plan to deconstruct the dam, but when the city prepared to start work, it discovered much more sediment behind the dam than anticipated. It has sought a modification of its state permit, which DEC still has not approved, deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski told me last night. The administration has repeatedly said publicly that it has not decided whether or not to rebuild the dam. Save Ida Lake/Friends of Ida Lake has advocated for the dam's preservation/reconstruction, while a Riverkeeper representative has encouraged the city not to replace it. Edible Uprising Farm. I first profiled the duo behind this farm for TL26, then followed up with them a few times.

I first profiled the duo behind this farm for TL26, then followed up with them a few times. Riverfront Park North. I covered the unveiling of the most recent plan for Riverfront Park North for TL37. The city has still not issued an RFP seeking a firm to build it (along with the revamped marina), though the deputy mayor said earlier this month that such an issuance was imminent. This project, though its amount of vegetation/stormwater management capacity was curtailed by the preservation of parking spaces, may help link the Hedley building area to downtown.

I covered the unveiling of the most recent plan for Riverfront Park North for TL37. The city has still not issued an RFP seeking a firm to build it (along with the revamped marina), though the deputy mayor said earlier this month that such an issuance was imminent. This project, though its amount of vegetation/stormwater management capacity was curtailed by the preservation of parking spaces, may help link the Hedley building area to downtown. Rosenblum's next move. I was the first to report, in TL16, that The Rosenblum Cos. purchased a vacant parcel of land at the corner of Sixth Ave. and Congress St., a stone's throw from the county office building. The real-estate developer has not publicly disclosed what its plans might be for the site.

Links

In this issue: a city council roundup, a Scolite update, and a review of some stuff TL covered.This is TL's final issue. As mentioned previously, I've taken a job as a reporter for The Bennington Banner and Manchester Journal.A few readers have asked me if I might consider reviving TL in some form—perhaps making it a monthly publication, or one with a narrower focus—in the future. The answer is yes, maybe. If I find that, in my leisure time, outside of my new job, I still have an appetite to create Troy-related content, I'll consider reviving this newsletter.But I can't provide any sort of timeline on a decision like that, and I don't want to give you false hope. Perhaps, then, it is best to consider Troy Letter dead and gone. That way, if it is revived one day, you might be pleasantly surprised.Thanks, one last time, to TL's Patreon supporters and three sponsors:, it's where it's at;, defining modern apartment living and rehab projects in historic downtown Troy; and, Troy's first escape room.The city council held a finance committee meeting last night. A few highlights:The city has won a state grant worth more than $150,000, which will cover an officer's salary, overtime costs associated with responding to gun-related violence, and analytic services from the Finn Institute for Public Safety. Strategies covered by the grant, according to its webpage , may include "enhanced patrols in identified 'hot spots' or locations that have shown to be the most prone to gun violence; focused deterrence against violent gangs and groups considered responsible for the most gun violence in communities; increased supervision of individuals on parole and probation; and the deployment of street outreach workers to interrupt cycles of violence or prevent retaliation.". All 225 coupons for this event , scheduled for tomorrow, have been claimed, deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski told the council. The city expects half of the cost of the event to be covered by a state reimbursement. It will be holding a second event of the same type in November, "so hold your stuff," the deputy mayor said.The council authorized a $60,200 contract with Denver, Co.-based Tangram Design LLC to design a citywide system of signage that will "easily and effectively direct residents and visitors to local destinations and parking," according to a memo by planning commissioner Steve Strichman.This phase of the project will be paid for by the Troy Redevelopment Foundation, a group of large, Troy-based nonprofits. The city's industrial development authority will pay for the construction and installation of the signs, Strichman said.Six other firms, including Troy-based id29, which bid $98,550, had also sought the job won by Tangram.The city administration still has not formally announced which firm it intends to award a short-term (five-year, per the request for proposals) lease for commercial/industrial purposes to the recently remediated, former Scolite site, a 5.74-acre, city-owned parcel next to the Hudson River and just north of the Wynantskill Creek.But a proposal for the use of the parcel appeared on last night's planning commission agenda, and a potential site plan I obtained (pictured below) indicates that R.J. Valente Companies, a material handler that already occupies the property just south of the Scolite site, will secure the lease.(I wasn't able to attend the planning commission meeting last night because it was held at the same time as the city council's finance committee meeting.)The plan indicates that the site, which has river access and will be accessible via the soon-to-be-built South Troy Industrial Road, will function as a transshipping facility. The tenant "will deliver aggregate by truck and load onto barges for shipping to other locations," according to environmental review–related documents.The plan also refers to a tiny, separate parcel at the northwest corner of the site as "Ludlow Park"—and provides for a public right-of-way to access the parcel—though it does not detail what features the park might have. The RFP, issued this past spring, said that the property would "be acquired through foreclosure proceedings in 2020" and eventually would be merged with the Scolite parcel.The RFP also said that the lease awardee would be required to provide public amenities including "sidewalks, lighting, [and] greenspace along the perimeter of the site."The city council will need to approve the final lease before it is executed, according to planning commissioner Steve Strichman and deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski. The latter told me that items related to the project will be considered by the city council next month.Before signing off, I wanted to recap some of the stuff that TL covered, partly because that just seems like a proper way to sign-off but also to point you toward matters of ongoing importance that you might decide to keep an eye on in the future, albeit without my assistance:The above list is definitely not exhaustive. Thank you all for reading. See you around town.

Troy loses second lawsuit filed against PBA (TU, 7/23)

Rensselaer County Clerk sues to overturn state Green Light Law (TU, 7/24). Here is a copy of the lawsuit.

Wynantskill man who stabbed wife will get new hearing (TU, 7/25)

Troy council selects company to design signs (TU, 7/26)

The Troy By Gas-Light Newsletter. Dan Palmer, who runs the Troy By Gas-Light Facebook page, is starting his own newsletter about Troy. (I don't have any involvement or affiliation with the project but it may cover some of the same stuff that TL covered.)



Events

Tonight, enjoy TNO (two options: learn about the Boradaille at RCHS or catch some music at Rare Form ). Saturday night, visit Saratoga not for the track but to see King Lear in Congress Park Tuesday night, see Amy Rigby and Crys Matthews at Freedom Square in North Central . Wednesday night, see Pedrito Martinez Group at Riverfront Park . Thursday night, visit "open hours" at the Collard City Growers garden near the Sanctuary in North Central or visit the Ferry Street Night Market at the former Capitaland Taxi property The end! Troy Letter's full archive—all 45 issues—is available here . Thanks for reading!