If the Mallozzi family is involved in this new venture, I am ok with that. They have an excellent track record of building small businesses. The problem with Rotterdam is that for too many years we have been griping and moaning about high property taxes then when a legitimate business comes along .. certain folks come out of the wood work to fight the new business venture.
Legitimate business? High property taxes? Do you know that in Schenectady, the homeowners are paying Mallozzi's taxes?
Legitimate business is one thing. But business is legitimate ONLY when it stands on it's own two feet and pays it's own tax bill in full
Maybe Rotterdam needs a higher quality of "gin mill".
What Rotterdam needs is a business that does not compete and suck the life out of other existing businesses like Scarboroughs, Marks, Dunzees, Center Stage Deli, Augies, etc. We need business that is new/fresh, that doesn't take away from other's livlihoods. If Recovery Rest. puts many of these other existing businesses OUT of business, where is the net gain??
Maybe Rotterdam needs a higher quality of "gin mill".
What Rotterdam needs is a business that does not compete and suck the life out of other existing businesses like Scarboroughs, Marks, Dunzees, Center Stage Deli, Augies, etc. We need business that is new/fresh, that doesn't take away from other's livlihoods. If Recovery Rest. puts many of these other existing businesses OUT of business, where is the net gain??
Late last month, Rotterdam and Schenectady County officials announced that the 29,000-squarefoot building will be leveled and the 1.23-acre lot graded to make way for a Recovery Sports Grill. The project relies on a $65,000 grant from the county's Metroplex Development Authority and a $60,000 grant from the Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency to make the site shovel-ready.
Can someone explain to me why the taxpayers are giving this multi-million dollar company over $120K? Since when does the government/taxpayers become involved in a private business transaction?
And what is the RIDA doing, giving 'our' money to a 'food/bar chain'? Can someone tell me what the 'I' in IDA stands for???
Can someone explain to me why the taxpayers are giving this multi-million dollar company over $120K? Since when does the government/taxpayers become involved in a private business transaction?
And what is the RIDA doing, giving 'our' money to a 'food/bar chain'? Can someone tell me what the 'I' in IDA stands for???
Come on people.......wake up here!!!!
RIDA's highest priority was the Capital Plaza. The money (both RIDA and Metroplex) was to seal the deal. The owner of Capital Plaza wanted more than Recovery was willing to pay, so the money offered brought the buyer and the seller together. As for the "I" in IDA, this is reminiscent of Long Pond Village and their PILOT. Only in Schenectady and Rotterdam is pouring draft beers an INDUSTRY!
And what is the RIDA doing, giving 'our' money to a 'food/bar chain'? Can someone tell me what the 'I' in IDA stands for???
RIDA=Metroplex. The Schenectady Metroplex has redistributed millions of dollars of public revenues to private entities who wanted to open bars and restaurants (e.g. "the Big House") in the Proctor's block.
The Rotterdam IDA is no longer an autonomous town agency. Control, administration, and decision making has been ceded to the Metroplex. A recent news article regarding the SI PILOT quoted Ray Gillen and identified Metroplex as administering the RIDA programs. What role did Gillen or the Metroplex have in the original terms of agreement with SI Group?
The residents of Rotterdam have lost any role and voice in determining the future "Industrial" development of their town IMHO. Thank those who currently sit on the RIDA and who voted for Metroplex involvement. My understanding is that Brian McGarry is the only one who had the wisdom and the courage to vote to retain control and autonomy of this (former) town agency.
"If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy."
The owner of Capital Plaza wanted more than Recovery was willing to pay, so the money offered brought the buyer and the seller together.
My question AGAIN.......why is taxpayer's money being used to 'seal a deal' between a PRIVATE seller and buyer's transaction? It also appears that the RIDA is now acting under the same policies as the plex. (big mistake for rotterdam...obviously)
As for those presently sitting on the rida board, it appears that the name should now be changed to RM.....Rotterdam Metroplex, since it clearly has NOTHING to do with 'industrial'.
And I concur along with many others.....Brian McGarry is the ONLY voice of reason.
My question AGAIN.......why is taxpayer's money being used to 'seal a deal' between a PRIVATE seller and buyer's transaction? It also appears that the RIDA is now acting under the same policies as the plex. (big mistake for rotterdam...obviously)
As for those presently sitting on the rida board, it appears that the name should now be changed to RM.....Rotterdam Metroplex, since it clearly has NOTHING to do with 'industrial'.
And I concur along with many others.....Brian McGarry is the ONLY voice of reason.
The only possible answer is that Metroplex has a different "authorization" for business and or industry, where RIDA was traiditionally only authorized for industry. Your statements are entirely correct and really can't be challenged. This being said, and stepping back, it is still probably important to address this blight. Although I am not in favor of an outsider coming into Rotterdam and competing against other established business, the new building has to be an improvement. The fear is that they damage the existing establishments, and after some time frame they become a mediocre business themselves after the "newness" wears off.
The bottom line is.....this is a PRIVATE transaction between a PRIVATE property owner and a multi-million dollar business! If the buyer thought the price was too high and the seller won't budge on price....than so be it!!! Sweetening the deal with taxpayer's money is not the answer, although they will brainwash people into thinking it is.
If a private business thinks the property isn't worth the asking price, why in God's name would the government step in and and make up the difference at the taxpayer's expense? This is ludicrous!
Industrial sure ain't what it used to be. They should change the name to Rotterdam Gin Mill Authority.
This "development" will result in many mom and pop taverns closing causing an overall loss of jobs and tax revenue. Recovery Rooms are popping up all over without the governmental grease.
The bottom line is.....this is a PRIVATE transaction between a PRIVATE property owner and a multi-million dollar business! If the buyer thought the price was too high and the seller won't budge on price....than so be it!!! Sweetening the deal with taxpayer's money is not the answer, although they will brainwash people into thinking it is.
If a private business thinks the property isn't worth the asking price, why in God's name would the government step in and and make up the difference at the taxpayer's expense? This is ludicrous!
Oh, I whole heartedly agree, I'm just passing on what I know about Metro's and RIDA's involvement. Here's the bigger issue, the Plex already has our money, and they aren't giving it back, so does it make sense for them to support business and re-establish properties on the tax roll?? Is something better than nothing?
Buying the idea of the plex of 'well it's already here' is the problem. The plex is the elephant in the room. The plex or any other authority should NOT be involved or giving taxpayer monies to private businesses involved in private transactions....PERIOD!
The plex is trying to skirt this issue by buying up properties (with taxpayer's money) and selling them directly to the 'businesses of choice' at low or no interest, hence making the plex the 'seller'. Doesn't anyone see the hipocrocy??
And does anyone know exactly how much money the RIDA currently has in it's coffers?
And does anyone know exactly how much money the RIDA currently has in it's coffers?
Not sure, budget report is not posted on the Rotterdam website. They do provide an accounting of their finances at the meeting, they have a treasurer that seems to keep a close eye on the finances. Just as an FYI, the following link has some dated info on IDAs, but provides a lot of insight on their scope and authority; http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/research/idabackground.pdf
Logged
Industrial sure ain't what it used to be. They should change the name to Rotterdam Gin Mill Authority. 
