Skate Park for Troy

[richard herrick]

thoughts

 

Did you know that buried under the blacktop parking areas under the Rt. 7 bridge are the remnants of a ice skating ring -- yes, there is one actually here , perhaps Peggy remembers it and others will remember it.  There are also other play areas that were blacktopped over a while back -- all to provide parking for the Hedley complex == there was little or no public outcry about it then.  The recreational areas under the Rt. 7 arterial were originally built way before Hedley as "parkland" using Federal and state highway monies.  This was an effort to provide park space for the little remaining neighborhood we had they after the state the destroyed the rest of the neighborhood while building Rt. 7. 

 

my thought is now that Hedley complex does not need the parking perhaps the space can be reclaimed and put back into good recreational use as a skate park. 

 

I recall speaking with John Hedley once about it way back then and he said that the state made him put in two feet of dirt on top of the recreational areas so that once the once planned 6 story parking area was built the space could be put back into recreational use without to much damage to it.  Even with the loss of Tenants at Hedley additional parking was created for the complex when Columbia tore down the old Hedley auto dealership and two vacant buildings to create more parking.  So its apparent that the parking under Rt. 7 is not needed now.  I recall also that the NYS DOT made an arrangement with the city and Hedley (now Columbia) that the owner of Hedley's would be responsible to pay all the costs necessary to reclaim the land!!  

 

Soooooooo I would like to suggest that this ice skate rink area be considered as a preferred location for a skate park.  It is central to both north and south of the city and any noise issue would be mute due to the traffic above.  Also the rink already is ramped for skater boarders to do their thing.  The ice skate was always a favorite with skater dudes and dudettes during the summer when it was still there. 

 

just saying and what do all think

 

best

 

richard

 

 

[richard herrick]

WHAT -didn't think of that - but whose stupid idea is it to re-zone that area for an expansion area for sex type businesses in Troy -- if anywhere do it someplace else --  there has to be someplace else down in a currently zoned industrial blue collar area for that. 

 

To address the current adult store there I'm sure they can be convinced to move with the right incentives.  Perhaps the Troy LDC could facilitate this,

 

That area as of right is designated parkland and it should be reclaimed.

 

best

 

richard      

----- Original Message -----

From: Billie-Jean Greene

To: richard herrick

Cc: Council_President_Kopka ; george.rogers ; All-City-Council-Members ; Nina Nichols ; Bill.Dunne ; Peggy Kownack ; paxnora ; Peter Grimm ; Amy Halloran ; downtown-troy-playground ; Amy Halloran ; kimmieoftroy ; peter.ryan

Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 4:57 PM

Subject: Re: Skate Park for Troy

Great idea! Really love it.

My only concern is that area, I believe, is to be zoned for the sex type businesses. That might be an issue for parents & the community by having the park in that area. Also most of the grant money is based on the youth, so it may pose a problem.

Any thoughts on those comments would be great. Thanks!

B

[richard herrick]

 I am not advocating for a forced move -- that would be to Big Brotherish -- I am suggesting first that the City reconsider any thought of zoning that area for the sex business -- it's just not the right place -- River Street is a main north - south thoroughfare and I honestly don't want to see a porn district there -- imagine four or five new shops with their bright lights along River Street -- um, no. I do agree that the city must have not one but a series on neighborhood meetings in all our neighborhoods on any porn district. I suggested and advocate that any porn district be in a remote industrial blue collar district area and not smack dab in the center of the city. On relocating that current business again i am suggesting a partnership for a mutual relocation -- not a forced relocation.

 

We are also discussing this issue on the Troy Neighborhoods Action Council's Facebook page -- join us there also.

 

best

 

richard

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Billie-Jean Greene

To: richard herrick

Cc: Council_President_Kopka ; All-City-Council-Members ; george.rogers ; Nina Nichols ; Peggy Kownack ; Bill.Dunne ; paxnora ; Amy Halloran ; Peter Grimm ; Amy Halloran ; downtown-troy-playground ; peter.ryan ; kimmieoftroy

Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 5:22 PM

Subject: Re: Skate Park for Troy

I don't think they should be forced to be moved. I think there are plenty of great spots in Troy where the park would be successful :) I think a public hearing on location would be smart!

[richard herrick]

Hi BillieJean

 

you mentioned that there are "plenty of great spots" for a skateboard park.  Could you please post the list of all sites currently under consideration.

 

thank you 

[richard herrick]

Sharon Lynn posted on Facebook

Well, I think it would be a good spot for the skate park, and correct me if I am wrong, the adult shop pretty much stays on the down-low and out of trouble, correct? If so then why shouldn't they stay? They are an established business, etc.... and they don't have the Cloud 9'ish type clientele nor the other place that used to be on River St. The park would be a great place for the kids to hang out and do their thing without causing potential accidents for lack of anywhere else to go. It's also a centralized location that all the kids from the city could easily get to without much hassle.