Downtown 'gourmet food court' in the works

TROY -- A Brooklyn transplant has big plans for an entrepreneurial food court in downtown.

Nelson at the 'food court' site.

Cory Nelson has unveiled the floor plan for what he is calling "Troy Kitchen: A Gourmet Food Court" at 50 4th Street. It would include four permanent food vendors, a wine and beer bar and a coffee bar, according to Nelson's Facebook announcement on Tuesday. He is hoping to have tenants in all the venues by early fall.

The former Union National Bank building includes original marble and brass elements, and a grand lobby with walls rising 32 feet to a glass ceiling.

The coming attraction is located a block from the Franklin Plaza Ballroom, itself housed in a former bank building, and just steps from the multi-level Uncle Sam Parking Garage. The lower level has a vault Nelson refers to on his plans as a "secret basement."

Nelson, 26, who moved from Brooklyn to study computer science and chemistry at Howard University in Washington, DC, now lives in Troy.  He is partnering with Kyle Engstrom, about whom he says, "I couldn't have asked for a better partner in this venture."

"[And} thank you," he says, "to the entire city and region for all the positive words and support thus fa. It means the world to us. We will continue to keep everyone updated of our progress. Also, feel free to reach out if you have a questions or just want to say hi. This project doesn't belong to me or Kyle, but to the entire city, so we want everyone to feel involved and excited about it just as we are."

Nelson has given major credit for inspiring his project to the example of local husband-wife entrepreneurs Vic Christopher and Heather LaVine. They have revitalized three once-crumbling buildings to create the Lucas Confectionery Wine Bar, The Market grocery, and the restaurant-tavern Peck's Arcade, all in the Monument Square neighborhood.

Although no details have been announced on potential tenants, if one is inclined to read the Facebook tea leaves, Brian Bowden may be involved in the new "food court." The well-regarded and well-traveled chef just left his position as founding chef at Mingle On the Avene in Saratoga Springs. And, he is a resident of Troy. Bowden has posted mention of the project on his Facebook page, and recently "friended" Nelson.

Bowden's resume includes stops at such popular restaurants as The Ginger Man in Albany, Creo' in Guilderland, and Javier's Nuevo Latino in Saratoga.

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Update: Joan Richardson fills vacancy

UPDATE: Joan Richardson has stepped up to fill the board vacancy announced in the following posting.

(Originally published 3/24/15)

Amy Willard has resigned from the THCA Board and her position as first vice president.

If you are interested in being considered for appointment to the Board, please contact President Claire Steiner.

As the population of the Terrace continues to undergo major change -- barely a third of households are original owners -- it is becoming more difficult to maintain institutional memory and the sense of how the community was created.

Please remember, we have been able to keep Association dues low over the 20+ years of the Terrace's existence because residents volunteered their time and talents to handle the business of the organization. Should that spirit of community involvement not remain strong, we face the very real possibility of having to hire an outside management company to do that work at a price at least triple what we now pay.

Please consider serving your community in some way.

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Lawn repair under way

Workers today began repairing lawn damage caused by snow plowing this winter.

Heavy rains and lack of frost just before the first of our major snowfalls kept the ground soft. That meant the plowing trucks sunk a bit into the dirt, tilting the  plow blades, thus resulting in much of the damage.

After removing clods of dirt and loose stone, fresh soil was applied, and a bluegrass seed mix will be sown.

Thanks to Grounds Committee Chairman John Victor for working out the repairs with the vendor.

Here's a look at what went on today:

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Midnight P.O. deadline for 2014 tax returns

If you have not yet filed your state and federal income tax returns for the 2014 calendar year, you're running out of time!

Returns filed by mail must be postmarked no later than midnight tonight, April 15, to be considered filed. Or, there's always the option of filing electronically. Then you don't have to worry about a mad dash to the post office.

Of course, if you already have done your annual chore, congratulations. You can relax and watch the procrastinators flitting about.

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Troy seeks comment on 'Action Plan' grants

The City of Troy is in the midst of a 30-day public comment period on its annual "Proposed Project Funding 2015 Annual Action Plan."

That document -- sometimes referred to as the "One Year Annual Action Plan" -- covers a wide range of potential grants all over the city. You can see it in its entirety by clicking here.

If you would like to make comments about any or all parts of it, the process is simple. Until Friday, May 8, "All residents. property owners, and other stakeholders of the City of Troy are encouraged to submit written comments or questions regarding the draft One Year Annual Action Plan to the Department of Housing & Community Development, 433 River Street, Troy, NY 12180, or e-mail to tim.mattice@troyny.gov."

There also is a public hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m. this Thursday at City Hall, which this week remains located at 433 River Street on the fifth floor of the Hedley Building..

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'A Taste of Troy' fundraiser coming up

A fundraiser for the Hope 7 Community Center has drawn 18  restaurants to support the cause.

The community center, which also runs a food bank, will hold its 5th annual "A Taste of Troy" from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday (April 14) at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Avenue. 

Cooking demonstrations, live music, auctions and specialty vendors will be part of the event, along with a tasting of wines from Victory View Vineyards.

The restaurant lineup: 

• Bootlegger’s on Broadway
• B-Rad’s Bistro & Catering
• Brown’s Brewing Co.
• Defazio’s Pizzeria
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• The Eatery at Carol’s Place
• Franklin Terrace Ballroom
• The Greek House
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Infinity Café
• Jack’s Drive In
• Muddaddy Flats Quesadillary
• Red Front Restaurant
• The Ruck
• Slidin’ Dirty Restaurant & Food Truck
• Spill’n the Beans Coffeehouse & Bistro
• Ted’s Fish Fry
•  Villa Valenti

Tickets, priced at $25 in advance or $30 at the door, are available online, or $30 at the door, also are available at Hope 7, 936 Pawling Avenue; Carol's Place, 536 Pawling, and Bob DeMeo's Wine and Liquor, 501 Campbell Avenue.

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Don't block that hydrant

See that sign over there ➜ ? We don't have such signs on the Terrace. However, we do have fire hydrants.

A friendly reminder: It is illegal to block access to a fire hydrant by parking a vehicle in front of it. That prohibition is in place whether or not there is a sign posted by the City of Troy.

In addition to residents and visitors, if you have any tradespeople coming to your home and see them blocking a hydrant, please politely ask them to move their vehicle. That makes it safer for everyone.

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'Brunswick Meadows' -- Here's a look at our new 'neighbors'

Project location as it relates to the Terrace.

For those of you who have seen the string of "Brunswick Meadows" signs posted along the east side of Oakwood Avenue (Route 40) and wondered what's going on, here's the rundown according to documents filed with the Town of Brunswick.

(For the benefit of our newer Terrace residents, Oakwood Avenue roughly separates Troy from Brunswick, so what you see on the other side of the street as you leave the Terrace is in Brunswick.)

The proposed development project originally was submitted on January 13, 2005. Its current configuration was submitted to the town in 2008 as a "PDD" (Planning Development District) consisting of 34 condominium buildings with a total of 136 living units. A series of followup modifications reduced the project size to 31 buildings/124 living units, then to 28/112, then to 26/104, and finally to 23/92.

The developer, identified originally as "J.P.J. Partnership" but now referred to in Town of Brunswick documents as "Oakwood Property Management," describes the project as a "residential condominium community" on an 18.3 acre parcel that itself is "a portion of a larger 97.6 acre parcel." Interestingly, the proposal states there are no plans for development of the remaining 79.3 acres.

The project site is located off Grange Road (NYS Route 142), approximately 200 feet east of the Town of Brunswick and City of Troy municipal boundary. It will include roads, infrastructure and storm water management systems. Access to the development would be from Grange Road.

The proposed buildings will measure approximately 84 feet by 60 feet, consisting of approximately 6,278 square feet. There also will be 256 off-street parking spaces -- 92 garage spaces, 140 driveway spaces and 24 unassigned spaces spread throughout the site "in small landscaped parking areas. The result is 2.8 parking spaces per condominium unit."

The layout below was submitted in 2006, so some changes have been made since then. However, it does show the general design.

Click on map to see proposed building layout.

If you want to see other materials on file with the Town of Brunswick -- testimony, proposals, environmental review, architectural drawings and the like -- you can access them by clicking here.

-- Bill Dowd
Webmaster

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About that snowplowing damage ...

It takes only a glance around the Terrace to see what some residents term the most extensive snowplowing damage we've ever experienced.

However, Grounds Committee Chairman John Victor is on the case. He reports in a mailbox bulletin board notice that the Wade Co. that did the plowing will be assessing the lawn damage, and will repair it at its costs.

No decision has yet been made, according to Association President Claire Steiner, about driveway damage caused by the plowing. However, Claire did say she would speak with John to see what steps should be taken to address the problem.

If you have particular concerns, please contact John or Claire.

-- Bill Dowd
Webmaster

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It's dues time once again

A gentle reminder: Second-quarter 2015 dues must be paid no later than next Wednesday, April 1.

As always, you can save the cost of a stamp by dropping your payment in the white lock box below the mailbox gazebo bulletin boards.

Checks should be made payable to THCA. Treasurer Jerry Gordon earlier sent out an e-mail to all of you explaining the various ways to pay -- quarterly, semiannually, annually, etc.

Thank you.

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Adjust your chronometers, people

It's that time of year. Spring forward, fall back.

Daylight Saving (no "s" at the end) Time will begin on Sunday, March 8, and last until Sunday, November 1.

So, enjoy the light and stay patient until the warm sunshine catches up with it.

By the way, did you know:

• Brazil already changed its clocks on the third Sunday in February. Israel usually changes the clock on the last Friday in March. "There is no international authority governing timekeeping. There is no logic to the confusion," says Michael Downing, author of "Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving."

• In September 1999, the West Bank was on Daylight Saving Time while Israel had just switched back to standard time. West Bank terrorists prepared time bombs and smuggled them to their counterparts in Israel who misunderstood the time on the bombs. As the bombs were being planted, they exploded one hour early, killing three terrorists instead of the intended victims -- two busloads of people.

• In Antarctica, there is no daylight in the winter and there are months of 24-hour daylight in the summer. However, many of the research stations there still observe Daylight Saving Time anyway to synchronize with their supply stations in Chile or New Zealand.

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Charter Review: An open invitation

• This commentary was written by Terrace resident and past THCA president Bill Dowd for his TROYnyTOPICS blog. 

I just got home from the initial meeting of the Troy City Charter Review Commission. I'm excited.

Not that reading the 100-pages-plus of often-arcane legalese line by excruciating line is in itself a cause for excitement, but the opportunity to help update and, in some instances, redefine how our City operates is a rare one. I'm pleased to be on the Commission with eight other citizens to work on a bipartisan fashion to rid the Charter of obsolete language, modernize a number of requirements and otherwise polish up what last time around became a bone of contention rather than an instrument of improvement.

In 2008, then-Mayor Harry Tutunjian appointed a charter review commission. So did the then-City Council which as a whole was no fan of then then-mayor. Each came up with a set of recommended revisions, then the whole thing went to court where a judge ruled that the mayor's commission was the only one with authority to recommend changes to the voters. Its work went down in flames at the polls, soundly rejected by the people who bother voting on such things.

This time around, there is one Charter Review Commission, consisting of people appointed by the mayor and by both the majority caucus and minority caucus of the City Council, and inclusiveness was the watchword at our first meeting. The public will have numerous opportunities to provide input on proposed changes, at a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at City Hall; at a second public hearing to be scheduled after separate hearings involving the City administration, then the City Council, then City employees; and, in between via written correspondence addressed to Corporation Counsel (and Commission chairman) Ian Silverman at City Hall (433 River St., 5th Floor, Troy NY 12180), or by e-mail to the Commission as a whole (use the address charter-review@troycitycouncil.com).

The other seven members of the Commission are Flora Carr, Kevin Glasheen, Patrick Madden, Patrick Morphy, Jill Nagy, Kevin Vandenburgh and Ken Zalewski. As you can see, people named Paftrick or Kev in are well represented. I hope as many people as possible get involved in the process no matter what their names. You can get a look at the present City Charter online (  http://ecode360.com/TR1767?needHash=true ).

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Troy on 'Best Complete Streets' list

An aerial view of riverside Troy.

(From the TROYnyTOPICS blog.)

Here's some good news about the efforts of a coalition of organizations in the City.

The City's "Complete Streets Ordinance" adopted last June, has been ranked No. 2 in included in "The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2014," released today by the National Complete Streets Coalition.

The policy, says a City press release, "directs transportation planners and engineers to design and build streets that provide everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, or ethnicity, and no matter how they travel, with safe, convenient & accessible access to community destinations."

Troy finished behind only Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County. The rest of the top included four Massachusetts communities -- Salem, Acton, Middleton and Stoughton -- plus Austin and Dawson County, TX;  Lakemoor, IL, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The National Complete Streets Coalition says it reviewed every policy passed in the United States in 2014 and scored each according to the 10 elements of what it regards as an ideal policy.The coalition is described as a program of Smart Growth America, a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of public interest organizations and transportation professionals committed to the development and implementation of Complete Streets. It defines "Complete Streets" as the integration of people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation networks.

Troy's success is a product of the Transport Troy Complete Streets Citizen’s Working Group, led by Capital Roots (formerly Capital District Community Gardens), Troy Bike Rescue, Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Transition Troy, Troy Architectural Program (TAP) and the City government.

“We fully anticipate the growth that we have seen over the last few years to continue,” said Mayor Lou Rosamilia. “Therefore, it is important that we plan accordingly and take into account everyone’s collective needs when making decisions about our future.”

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Attention residents: Real estate scam alert

Dear Fellow Terrace Residents:

Association President Claire Steiner has asked me to send out a warning to all residents that a real estate scam appears to be under way concerning No. 2 Hyland Circle.

Our neighbor Nadeen Thompson has her house for sale with a real estate firm, but apparently someone has used that knowledge to create a phony craiglist ad offering the property, which it says is "unoccupied," for sale or rent and is asking for money upfront. The ad and e-mails stemming from whoever posted it invite people to check out the property.

Nadeen has told Claire that her house remains for sale, but that any sort of craigslist or e-mail involving it are bogus. Claire has reported the situation to the Troy Police Department because we have several properties on the Terrace for sale that may become targets for burglars.

If you become aware of any suspicious activity -- unknown vehicular or foot traffic, e-mailings or phone calls pertaining to Nadeen's house, etc. -- please let her or Claire know.

Thank you.

Bill Dowd
Webmaster

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Merry Christmas

Jim Mitchell illustration

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Happy Hanukkah

December 16-24, 2014

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Happy Thanksgiving to all

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In memoriam for our neighbor Gerry Claeys

Geraldine Claeys

• Gerry Claeys, beloved wife of Joe Claeys and a wonderful friend and neighbor to all of us on the Terrace, passed away last Thursday. Here is her obituary, as published in Sunday's Times Union:

Geraldine A. Claeys, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 6, 2014, with her family by her side.

Geraldine was the daughter of the late Michael and Anna Kurolvech. Geraldine is survived by her husband of 57 years, Joseph Claeys. She also leaves behind her sons, James, Henry and William, and her daughter Patricia Claeys Gallant. Geraldine also had five grandchildren: Jesalyn, Lauren, Rosalea, Samuel and Michael, who will miss her dearly. She will also be missed by her two sisters, Dorothy and Judith.

Geraldine retired as executive assistant for the New York State Commission on Quality of Care of the Mentally Disabled. Donations may be made in her honor to the Hospice of St. Mary's Hospital, 1300 Massachusetts Ave., Troy, NY 12180.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. To leave a special message for the family, please visit NewcomerAlbany.com.

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Time slows down, if just for a moment

Q: How do you get some extra sleep without going to bed earlier or getting up later?

A: Adjust your clocks for Eastern Standard Time.

That periodic ritual should be done no later than 2 a.m. this Sunday, November 2. That's when we make the transition from Daylight Saving Time to EST, regaining the hour we lost when we set the clocks ahead a few months ago.

Here's a thought about time in general, from the American minister Henry Van Dyke, circa 1905:

Time is too slow for those who wait,

Too swift for those who fear

Too long for those who grieve

Too short for those who rejoice,

But for those who love,

Time is eternity.”

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Update 2: Driveway sealing called off

UPDATE (9/12/14): Driveway sealing was called off. Vintage surveyed the Terrace and said not many, if any, actually needed the service. It was explained that the small cracks in driveway surfaces are, for the most part, only cracks in the sealing material and not a structural problem. The service will be offered next summer.

UPDATE (9/1/14): It didn't happen in August as originally expected, but Grounds Committee Chairman John Victor now says we're within 10 days or so of having the sealcoating done.

(Original Aug. 1 posting)

Have you signed up to have your driveway seal-coated? It's especially important if you haven't had it done for several years, and having it done as a community-wide project makes it very affordable.

Seal-coating accomplishes several things. Among them:

• It protects your driveway surface from erosion caused by snow, ice and road salt.

• It helps maintain the appearance of the neighborhood, important to both pride in the Terrace and to maintaining property values.

If you're in need of the service, check the signup sheet posted on the mailbox gazebo bulletin board.

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