By Randy Koniowka
See Also: Community Room Sparks Debate Posted on March 11th.
The Cohoes Historical and Architectural Review Board gave preliminary approval last night to a proposed community center at 2 North Mohawk Street. The center is a part of a 15 million dollar plan by Community Builders to rehab 66 apartment units throughout the city.
This is the second set of designs reviewed by the board. The previous design concept was met with resistance from many on the board as well as members of the Spindle City Historical Society as well as some residents, who felt the design of the building did not fit with the historic nature of the area.
The entire North Mohawk Street Corridor is a National Historic Landmark District and any new construction must meet guidelines set by the Department of the Interior and the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Board member Herb Hyde felt that the new design is more in tune with the historic character of the area. "I love it, it's very pleasing to the eye. This will be a real asset to the community."
Architect Dave Sadowsky said that with any building, you have to start somewhere. "It's a process, and it evolved the way I thought it would. I have been through many similar processes like this. It works when everyone gets involved."
Susan McCann of Community Builders said that she is very pleased with the boards approval. "You try this and that," she said of the process.
McCann said they hope to break ground on the center in September but that they are still awaiting 1.4 million dollars in federal tax credits to complete their financing of the project. "It's the last piece of the funding we are still waiting on. It's very competitive, but I am hopeful."
The community center design will now go back to the City Planning Board for preliminary site plan approval.
We already have a Community Center
ReplyDeleteI agree with MJB...
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that I appreciate that you have a dedicated Cohoes blog. I was wondering how that board meeting would turn out, and now I know! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRyan, thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteThe Community Center/Room will be mainly utilized by the residents of the apartments managed by Community Builders. However, the entire community will be able to utilize the facility.
Don't think of it in terms of the CCC, think of it as just an place where people in the community can play a game of chess, or just get together to talk.
Community Center is what the Cohoes Community Center is called.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they could call it the Cohoes Community/Senior Center, then we would have the Cohoes Senior Center, the Cohoes Community Center and the Cohoes Community/Senior Center...In addition, an individual can play Chess and socialize in all facilities...
ReplyDeleteWhat if we called it a Community Room?
ReplyDeleteBascially the NYS DHCR is requring them to build this facility in accordance with their guildlines.
Most apartment complexes have community centers/rooms. Riverwalk has one, Harmony Mills has one etc.
As I said, just a place for the residents to gather. However, it will not be restricted to tenants. The entire community can use the facility.
Might be a good spot for a 3rd ward town hall meeting, etc..
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ReplyDeleteThe point I was trying to make is we have enough community rooms in this City, we need to increase the revenue streams and decrease the expenses, We as a community don't have the money for this...It says in the article, that they are waiting for federal tax credits. I am curious where is the Federal government getting that money from...The nation is 9 Trillion dollars in debt heading towards 20 million in the year 2020 according to the CBO. Will we be borrowing the Money from China, Russia, or Japan? As for the third ward town hall meeting wouldn't that be best held in the third ward? 2 North Mohawk Street the last time I checked isn't in the third ward...
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this is the place to debate the federal budget.
ReplyDeleteCommunity Builders is going to rehab 66 apartment units in this city and that is a good thing for Cohoes.
The Community Center/Room is a component of their overall plan which includes rennovating housing stock in the city. Another good thing for Cohoes.
The Community Center/Room will also provide someone from Community Builders to be in the city to oversee the apartments. A good thing for Cohoes.
The 15 million dollars, a combination of federal and state funds is coming into Cohoes. We can debate federal spending, but i'm glad to see the money coming into the City of Cohoes.
I stand corrected. The community room is in the 1st ward. Therefore 1st ward town hall meetings could be held there.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI hear what you're saying...The bottom line is eventually it all trickles down and comes out of our pockets...The Federal and State governments don't have the money for this...
ReplyDeleteIn the next 20 years, at the current pace we will have soaring inflation and interest rates that will be through the roof. I hope I'm wrong but if you look at the current situation in Greece we are headed down the same path.