City of Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian provides a few more details about First Columbia's plans to redevelop Troy's waterfront at the north end of downtown in his latest weekly message:
Of course, it goes without saying that this project owes much to former Hedley Cadillac owner and Troy visionary John Hedley, who was promoting, buying and adaptively using Troy's industrial waterfront and downtown commercial buildings twenty years ago, when few others were interested. His past projects include Hedley Park Place (the former Cluett-Peabody building), Flanigan Square, and the Market Block. His current project, along with the City of Troy, Rensselaer County, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy Housing Authority and other developers, is the redevelopment of lower Congress Street, which includes substantial streetscape improvements as well as redevelopment Troy Housing Authority's former Ahern Apartments site for housing (market rate and affordable), offices, and retail.
Thank you, John!
March 15, 2007If you did not see the article in the Times Union on Tuesday, you can find a link and read more about the project in Tuesday's post below. You can also visit First Columbia's project web site -- Hedley Park Place -- which includes a "community master plan" rendering, watercolor elevations of potential buildings to be constructed, and additional information.
For the second consecutive week we spent a fair amount of time this week discussing possible economic opportunities along the Hudson River. Last week the big talk centered around the demolition of City Hall and construction of new office or hotel space in its footprint. An exciting project to say the least. This week plans surfaced for a section of riverfront north of City Hall along River Street.
For those that have not heard anything about this project as of yet you can visit www.hedleyparkplace.com
The developer involved in this project is First Columbia out of Latham, which first purchased buildings formerly owned by John Hedley last year. For the better part of a year we have been meeting with Kevin Bette from First Columbia to discuss this project. As you will see from the website, they envision this as a project that is, “A Vision for a Vibrant Waterfront District in Downtown Troy.”
I wholeheartedly agree. This project, or development, or idea, is different than anything we have discussed in Troy for a long time. The reason for that is quite simple. We are not talking about developing a plot of land like City Hall. And we are not talking about an empty 14-acre site like the $160 million Congress-Ferry Street project.
Instead this is a plan that will completely transform not one, but several neighborhoods in the City of Troy. First Columbia calls it the Hedley District and estimates that the impact years from now will be felt by more than the two-dozen surrounding blocks. This is a reputable developer that would like to spend their own money to build retail shops, commercial offices, a hotel, and riverfront amenities that will change the way of life for those in North Central, Columbus Square, and Downtown. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
For the better part of three years, I have talked about creating an environment for growth. Cleaning the streets and improving public safety leads to a better quality of life. When you combine that with the unique past and architectural infrastructures here in Troy, we are living in an era where the time is ripe for development. We are at a point here in Troy where we can increase our tax base, living options, and overall aesthetic value, and I am proud to be a part of the wonderful change.
If you have any questions on these topics, please do not hesitate to call my office or shoot us an email at mayorsoffice@troyny.gov [or call me at (518) 270-4401].
Of course, it goes without saying that this project owes much to former Hedley Cadillac owner and Troy visionary John Hedley, who was promoting, buying and adaptively using Troy's industrial waterfront and downtown commercial buildings twenty years ago, when few others were interested. His past projects include Hedley Park Place (the former Cluett-Peabody building), Flanigan Square, and the Market Block. His current project, along with the City of Troy, Rensselaer County, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy Housing Authority and other developers, is the redevelopment of lower Congress Street, which includes substantial streetscape improvements as well as redevelopment Troy Housing Authority's former Ahern Apartments site for housing (market rate and affordable), offices, and retail.
Thank you, John!
