Downtown Troy road closures announced

Troy's Department of Public Utilities (DPU) today announced that repair work on water mains will impact several South Troy and downtown thoroughfares. After that is completed, the roadways will be milled, backfilled, and repaved.

As always, the work projects are weather-dependent and subject to change. The schedule:

• Monday, July 31 -- Work on River Street from 4 a.m. to noon.

• Tuesday, August 1 -- Work at the intersection of 4th and Polk streets from 4 a.m. to noon. 

Roads will not be fully closed, but motorists should expect delays and partial closures. Alternate routes are recommended.

Bus stops in the designated work zone will be temporarily unavailable for use. Bus riders are requested to use the next available bus stop to the north or to the south of the designated work zone. 

Motorists are asked to reduce vehicle speeds in the construction zone area, observe all posted traffic restrictions, and watch for flaggers and equipment operating in the street right of way areas. 

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Little Italy 'quality of life' work may impact shoppers

If you're planning to do any shopping in Troy's Little Italy/South Central neighborhood anytime soon.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has announced that sidewalk and curb replacement work will continue along 4th Street this summer, along the west side of 4th Street at Adams Street. One-way north bound traffic will be maintained on 4th Street. 

"Upon completion of work on one side of the street, parking restrictions and the designated work zone will then move to the other side of the street as necessary to complete work started last year."

The project is expected to stretch into late October, depending on weather conditions. It includes removal of existing sidewalks, installing new sidewalks, curbs, lighting, tree plantings, utility upgrades, and related work.

The work is part of a federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project intended to improve the “quality of life” and “mobility” for Troy residents and families living in this South Central /Little Italy Neighborhood. This project continues the work already completed last year in South Troy, along 4th Street. 

Pedestrians will be directed to use existing available sidewalks along the opposite side of the street from the construction area. Motorists are asked to reduce vehicle speeds in the construction zone area, observe all posted traffic restrictions, and watch for flaggers and equipment operating in the street right-of-way areas. Motorists accustomed to street parking in these neighborhoods are encouraged to mind posted parking restrictions to avoid costly fines and towing. 

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Weed, grub control applications next week

The following required notice has been received from the vendor supplying pesticide and fertilizer services to the Terrace at Highpointe. Work will be done on Wednesday, July 26.

Please exercise caution when you -- and your pets -- are strolling, jogging, or otherwise using the grounds on that day. 

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NOTICE  

  

Vinmar Solutions LLC  

Telephone Number: 857-3499; Fax Number: 584-4094 

Pesticide Business Registration Number: 14954 

This notice is to inform you of a pending pesticide application at a neighboring property and/or the  property you are visiting or working at. You may wish to take precautions to minimize pesticide  exposure to yourself, family members, pets or family possessions. Further information about the  product or products being applied, including any warnings that appear on the labels of such pesticide  or pesticides that pertain to the protection of humans, animals or the environment can be obtained by  calling the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378 or the New York  State Department of Health Center for Environmental Health information line at 1-800-458-1158. Address of Application:  

The Terrace at Highpointe, Troy, NY 12180  

Hyland Circle  

 Date of Application : WEDS JULY 26 , 2023  

  

Products to be applied to the lawn:  

Product name: Quali-Pro 3-D Herbicide EPA # 53883-378 weed control  Product name: 15-0-0 w/ .2 % Merit EPA # 432-1349-34704 grub control fertilizer  

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Troy roadwork and traffic notes for next week

The City of Troy continues a busy schedule of roadwork on a variety of streets and major thoroughfares for the summer, although the scope of next week's efforts is a bit narrower than in preceding weeks.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has released the schedule for the week beginning July 17 that may impact your travels around the City. Everything is, of course, weather dependent.

Monday (7/17)

• Lavin Court from Hoosick Street to Park Boulevard
• 16th Street from Sausse Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue

Tuesday (7/18)

• Dead End, Carlyle Avenue from Chelton Avenue to North Lake Avenue, from Hoosick Street to the City Line

There will be no milling conducted next week. DPW said the next round of milling will last five days and start the following Monday, July 24, weather providing.

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Latest info on trimming and sealcoating

• Several homeowners have asked about tree and shrub trimming by Skyview Landscaping. Ned Alaskey, chair of our Grounds Committee, contacted Skyview general manager Michael Scaringe about that work. Here's the email conversation:

NED: Michael, could you please provide us a ballpark time we can plan on your crew for trimming and pruning. I’ve spoken with Jim [Skyview crew chief] and walked through some areas on our common grounds as well as the hedges and shrubs growing in all this rain. Your crew is doing an outstanding job, as I see it. Looking forward to your reply.

MICHAEL: Hi guys, and thank you for the compliment! We are looking at the week of July 31st. Hope this helps, and have a great day."

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• Bill Dowd contacted United Asphalt several times about the sealcoating process. As he has shared with everyone several times, sealcoating this summer is behind schedule because of the frequent rainouts and sporadic flooding United has experienced. They are working diligently to catch up and will let us know as soon as they're caught up.

As to when sealcoating is needed on new and/or repaired driveways, "We recommend sealcoating next season, and then every two years [thereafter]. We will reach out next season to all the new driveways with an estimate." So, no sealing needed this season on new asphalt.

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Troy Pig Out returns Sunday after pandemic absence

It's baaaack! Or, should we say, fatback?

The 16th Troy Pig Out, which hasn't been held since before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, returns this Sunday starting at noon and running through 5 p.m. 

Attendees will be able to try $4 samples from each participating food provider and vote for the people's choice winner in the BBQ competition, while a panel of three guest judges will weigh in with their views on whose chow is tops. 

Live music will be provided by Berk Star, Grandstand Jockies, and Black Mountain Symphony. And, Famous Lunch will be sponsoring the "Downtown Troy Hot Dog Eating Contest" starting at 1 p.m. at Broadway and 5th Avenue. The contest is open to the public and anyone can sign up to compete. 

“This year the format of Pig Out is completely elevated," said said Olivia Clemente, executive director of the sponsoring Downtown Troy Business Improvement District. "We opened up the event to the businesses of Troy as well as vendors from outside Troy to compete against each other for best of barbecue."

Among the scheduled participants:

• McAddy’s Pub, 452 Broadway
• Tatu Tacos, 452 Broadway 
• Bootleggers, 200 Broadway 
• Muddaddy Flats, 49 3rd Street 
• Brown’s Brewing, 417 River Street 
• Ryan’s Wake, 403 River Street 
• Oh Corn! Arepas, 429 River Street 
• Bacchus Wood-Fired, 33 2nd Street 
• Bard & Baker, 501 Broadway 
• Slidin’ Dirty, 9 1st Street 
• Tara Kitchen, 172 River Street 
• Dotty’s BBQ @ 518 Craft, 200 Broadway 
• Little Pecks, 211 Broadway
• The Mac Factor, Monument Square

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Multiple projects freshening the look of The Terrace

If you've noticed the neighborhood looking better recently, you're correct. This has become "The Summer of Beautification" on the Terrace.

• For the past few months, we have seen our new grounds crew from Skyview Landscaping whipping the common and private grounds into perhaps the best shape they have been in for several years. 

• Numerous residences have had new roofs installed, and more are scheduled to do so. 

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NOTE: Everyone who has had a driveway replacement is advised by United Asphalt to not drive on the new asphalt before Sunday, or to wait longer if we get blistering hot days that slow the hardening of the surface. You should have received a pamphlet describing the "care and feeding" of your new investment.

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• And, for the past few days, workers from United Asphalt have been repairing a number of driveways and replacing others. Before long, still other homes will have their driveways sealcoated, although that work has been delayed because the contractor's schedule was backed up by persistent bad weather. United promises to let us know ASAP when we can get scheduled.

All these things help freshen the appearance of the Terrace, so we appreciate the patience and cooperation of all who may have been briefly inconvenienced by all the activity.

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Hoosick St. temporarily becoming one-lane (update)

UPDATE (7/12/23): The planned traffic diversion described below has been postponed to Thursday, July 13, after city crews were diverted to handle a water main break on Wynantskill Way today.

If you plan to use Hoosick Street on Wednesday, you'd be well advised to add a few minutes to your planned commute.

The City of Troy's Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will reduce westbound traffic -- for the directionally impaired among us, that's toward the Collar City Bridge -- on Hoosick to one lane from 15th Street to 10th Street from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The temporary change will allow a DPU crew to repair a faulty fire hydrant. 

Mayor Patrick Madden said, "Please slow down in work zones so our workers can return home from this vital work which allows our City to properly function." 

The hydrant on the affected portion of Hoosick Street is leaking, causing water to flow onto the roadway.

"Though water main breaks can also result in water pooling on streets and roadways, the water main in this case is not broken. Repair will involve replacing the hydrant's connection to the water system and internal shutoff mechanisms," the announcement explained. "The fault in this hydrant was brought to the point of failure during routine flushing of the fire hydrant system. The fire hydrant system is flushed annually to clear the water pipes serving them of any debris and test for faulty hydrants."

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Weather affects Troy traffic-work patterns

The City of Troy has announced that this week's planned infrastructure improvement work has been delayed by the excessive rainfall and flash flood conditions that the region has experienced since Sunday.

5th Avenue will be open today. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will be closing 5th Avenue starting Tuesday through the end of the week from 102nd to 104th Street for gas and water maintenance projects.

The week's paving work schedule has been delayed by one day. The Department of Public Works' paving schedule for this week now reads as follows:

Tuesday and Wednesday

• Brentwood Avenue between Morrison Avenue and Hadden Lane 
• Crestwood Avenue between Morrison Avenue and Hadden Lane 
• Hadden Lane between Brentwood Avenue and the dead end 
• Wilde Street between Crestwood Avenue and Hadden Lane 

Wednesday and Thursday  

• 6th Avenue between Federal and Hoosick streets

 Commuters should expect to encounter roadwork in the area and are encouraged to seek alternate routes of travel if possible. 

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'Terrace Community Cookout' beats the rain (mostly)

One of the day's conversation circles.

Well, the local weather forecast said there was a 50% chance of a thunderstorm for Sunday and -- surprise! -- it was correct.

Our "Terrace Community Cookout" began on Hyland Court at 2 p.m. By the time everyone was stuffed on burgers, hot dogs, and a gazillion pot luck salads and side dishes and was contemplating dessert, the rumbling began.

At close to 3:30, the skies opened up and everyone raced for a trio of welcoming open garages for shelter, or lit out for home. So, we had about half the event without rain, and half with. That's 50-50, and a good time was had by all.

Many people to thank, headed by event organizer Ellie DeBonis, and grill master Sid Legg. They and Lorraine Bailey provided the garage shelters and let the crowd trample their lawns. And, of course, other volunteers and everyone who brought food to the event.

Our intent is to make such cookouts once again an annual part of Terrace social life. Here are some more views of the afternoon.

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Troy roadwork traffic alerts issued

The City of Troy plans to close 5th Avenue all next week from 102nd Street to 104th Street for gas and water maintenance projects by the Department of Public Utilities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works has released a weather-dependent schedule for paving projects planned for early next week: 

Monday (7/10) and Tuesday (7/11)

• Brentwood Avenue and Crestwood between Morrison Avenue and Hadden Lane  

• Hadden Lane between Brentwood Avenue and the dead end 

• Wilde Street between Crestwood Avenue and Hadden Lane    

Tuesday (7/11) and Wednesday (7/12) 

• 6th Ave between Federal Street and Hoosick Street for milling, a process that removes a portion of the asphalt surface in preparation for future repaving. 

Work generally begins at 6 a.m. unless noted otherwise. Commuters should expect to encounter roadwork in the area and are encouraged to seek alternate routes of travel if possible. 

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Driveway work scheduled for 7/13

United Asphalt today informed us their work crews will be on the Terrace next Thursday, July 13, to do the various scheduled driveway jobs. 

To facilitate this work, we are requesting that everyone avoids parking on-street that day if possible. The contractor will need as much “elbow room” as possible. 

Our common parking areas are, of course, available for overnight use primarily for people who will not be able to use their repaired driveways for several days. And, please be sure to re-read the contract you signed with United authorizing the work. It contains important information. 

To those neighbors who are not having work done at this time, the rest of us thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation in this major neighborhood improvement project. Have a pleasant weekend, and stay cool. 

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