Sunday, March 16, 2014 Albany, NYMostly Cloudy 28°F . Times Union Developer mulls Schenectady casino Project to develop ALCO site calls for housing, retail — and possibly gambling By Paul Nelson Updated 8:54 am, Wednesday, March 12, 2014 . Development project location. Development project location. () .. A public debate about casinos could soon be raging in Schenectady, where a more than $100 million project to transform the former American Locomotive Co. site into a hip, pedestrian-friendly destination could include a gambling establishment, say several people familiar with the plan. But city and county officials are tight-lipped about the controversial issue, which has already divided some communities and may do the same in Schenectady County. The mixed-use building project calls for 25 condominium units, a 30,000-square-foot supermarket, a movie studio, a 124-bed hotel, apartments and retail space, according to preliminary renderings recently submitted to the citys development department. The Galesi Group of Rotterdam is scheduled to appear before the Planning Commission at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at City Hall to present a preview of the project, which is in the waterfront commercial district. The firm will be looking for feedback from the eight-member panel. No final decisions will be made at the meeting. We want it to be a destination, an urban-style walkable community that complements all the development happening downtown, said David Buicko, The Galesi Groups chief operating officer, of the roughly 60-acre site at 301 Nott St. Were creating a lifestyle center here; its new urbanism. Buicko trumpeted a proposed marina, another component of the project on the Mohawk River that would include a 50-boat slip and a dock. He estimated that Phase 1 of the project, projected to cost more than $100 million, would be on about 25 acres on the north side close to Freemans Bridge Road. Asked about a casino on the former ALCO site, Buicko said Galesi has talked to a variety of users, including ones who have inquired about casinos. We dont have any casino, he said. I dont rule anything out. The Times Union has learned that a Chicago-based company called Rush Street Gaming appears to be the leading contender to partner with Galesi on any possible future casino project. In December, Rush Street, which according to its website is a leader in operating regionally relevant, high-performing casinos in attractive gaming markets, hired Bolton-St. Johns, a government and public relations firm, as its lobbying group at $15,000 monthly. Any plans for a casino would likely occur during Phase 2 of the project on about 27 acres of the ALCO parcel, according to individuals with knowledge of the proposal. The former Tobin First Prize packing plant in Albany and riverfront properties in Rensselaer also have been discussed as possible casino locations by developers and local officials. The idea of a casino in their community has polarized residents in Saratoga Springs and threatens to do the same in the Electric City. Schenectady City Councilman Vince Riggi said on Tuesday that although casinos generate money and jobs, he is concerned about a Schenectady casino because of the addictive nature of gambling. Im on the fence with this because I know its a terrible disease, Riggi said. I havent made up my mind, but Im leaning towards no. Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy declined to comment about the possibility of a casino at the ALCO site, but said the development project will be a boon for the region. Its not only Schenectady; this is a major redevelopment project, McCarthy said. It changes the image of the community when you see development of this scope and magnitude. He said he hopes surface and underground improvements related to the reconfiguration of the Nott Street-Erie Boulvard intersection would be done in conjunction with the waterfront redevelopment. Schenectady County Legislature Chairman Tony Jasenski did not return a call seeking comment on Tuesday. Late Tuesday, Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen said Galesi was tweaking its plan and as a result might be ready for Wednesdays Planning Commission meeting. Zoning Officer Steven Strichman said he expects that the Planning Commission will look at many issues, including pedestrian and vehicle flow, landscaping and the general compatibility of buildings. Once the conceptual review is completed, Galesi must secure the required permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Those agencies said Tuesday they are awaiting additional information from the developer before making any decisions on permits. Galesi will also have to apply to the Planning Commission for final site plan approval. There will be at least one public hearing, according to City Planner Christine Primiano. She said if Galesi needs variances, they will have to be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. pnelson@timesunion • 518-454-5347 • @apaulnelson. James Odato contributed to this article. Waterfront proposal Building One: 128 apartment units with 61,000 square feet of retail space with a total of 314,362 square feet Building Two: 176 apartment units and retail space for a total of 438,000 square feet Building Three: 25 condo units totaling 65,000 square feet Building Four: 30,000-square-foot supermarket with 10,000 square feet of retail space and 80,000 square feet of office space Building Five: 124 bed hotel totaling 112,000 square feet Building Six: 30,000-square-foot banquet hall Source: Plans submitted by developer to Schenectady County Planning Office Printable Version Email This done before something of that nature comes in. There are so many issues with a lot of the neighborhoods and look at the houses for sale in the city, you cant sell a house in Mt. Pleasant for more then 30,000.00 and there is a high percentage of people on dss or some kind of assistance that live there. We need to cut back on the amount of welfare assisted clients that live in Schenectady and start concentrating on cleaning up ALL of the city not just the... » more 3 days ago 0 Likes Like Reply Sharefacebook like twitter share email comment url sheehanje sheehanje Rank 0 @TJ You do realize this is mostly privatized money? They are in it to make money, not fix up neighborhoods. Normally Casinos are frowned upon because of the criminal element they can bring - and with that lower property values in surrounding areas. In a stressed area like Schenectady, a casino would do just the opposite. It will attract newer businesses to go with the modest turn around downtown. It would actually create a lot of jobs and raise property values. I really want to hear... » more 3 days ago 1 Like Like Reply Sharefacebook like twitter share email comment url Brian Brian Rank 288 Go for it! Lord knows this city needs something to bring it out of the steady decline its been for the past couple decades. If a casino will bring much needed jobs and tax revenue Schenectady would be crazy to oppose it. 3 days ago 1 Like Like Reply Sharefacebook like twitter share email comment url . . .. 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 06:19:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015