Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Rumor Confirmed

The Register-Star reports today what Gossips reported a month ago: "Galvan to buy Promenade Hill Center from Coarc." 

The report in the Register-Star is based on a press release from COARC, but confirmation was sought from Eric Galloway, whose email response is quoted: "The availability of the property came to our offices as a surprise, and while we see more than one opportunity that is in keeping with Galvan's mission, we do not have a specific plan. However, it is unlikely that we will keep the structure as it is in the long run."

According to the article, Rick Scalera, special adviser to Galvan, indicated that Galvan was first "interested in it as a site for the Alternative Learning Program of the Hudson, Catskill and Berkshire Union Free school districts." Indicating that locating the ALP at 364 Warren Street was "always 'a short-term solution,'" Scalera is quoted as saying, "I know they were looking at alternative locations, whether Promenade Hill or Seventh Street." Presumably by "Seventh Street" Scalera was referring to the building behind the original orphanage at 620 State Street, which was originally a car dealership and was purchased by Galloway from Cappy Pierro in 2003.

On January 8, Galvan attorney Joe Catalano presented a proposal to the Planning Commission that involved adding two stories on top of this building to create a "multi-purpose building for educational and community service use." Catalano did not define any specific use for the building.

And then there's the rumor, unsubstantiated for now, that Galvan plans to demolish the ill-fated strip mall that was COARC and re-create the buildings that where once there. Wouldn't that be grand?

5 comments:

  1. Mr. Galvan, tear down that strip mall.

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  2. Looking forward to a new and improved 1st block of Warren

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  3. This is nothing more than another money grab that will again compromise the architectural integrity of our community. Galvan will, undoubtedly, build housing units on that parcel that will, again, test the strength of the Hudson Preservation Commission. The units will likely not adhere to the architecture of the area, but the owner will manage to collect rent. What's the city to do?

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    1. If Galvan proposes to build Modernist-style boxes that are wholly incompatible with the architecture of the local historic district, how--tell me how--can the HPC object? #12WillardPl

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  4. It's obvious that the strip mall will be torn down to make way for some more rental properties that will likely be owned by a tax-exempt organization. The new units will likely not match the prior or existing architecture of the neighborhood, again putting the Preservation Commission in the position of, well, let's just say, looking from down under.

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