A big congratulations must go out to the We Care About the Square crowd. The Kirchoff project is dead. Kirchoff blames the City.
"Kirchhoff said the problems go back to Troy's original request for proposals that failed to reveal the site's true conditions.
"The RFP was materially inadequate and misleading in terms of providing mapping and information regarding the presence of significant utilities through the site," said Giovanni Palladino, the developer's director of architecture and construction.
The developer said it was delayed by having to conduct an intensive review of the site. Compounding the problem was the city Planning Commission's five-month delay in reviewing the plans."
Meanwhile, WCATS is doing a well-earned victory lap:
We Care About the Square spokesman Russ Brooks issued a statement saying the group "is pleased that the proposed substandard development of 1 Monument Square no longer threatens to compromise the city's most important urban site."
The group said it is pro-development and "wants to see the gap in River Street and our city's river facade completed in a manner that connects the downtown to the riverfront, meets the highest standards of excellence in architectural design, and is of the construction quality the city deserves."
We hate to splash cold water on the celebration but the sincere members of WCATS have set expectations far too high. Nothing realistic will meet such Platonic standards. Troy is not the prettiest girl at the dance. That location is a $25,000,000 site. Troy is not going to do that much better than the Kirchoff project. One suspects what detractors want (in addition to having the project awarded to a developer friend) will be closer to the Judge project. The Judge project looked great, would have been great and also had a $50,000,000 price tag. Judge could not find the investors because the investors know its not a $50,000,000 site. Lost in all the fuss is that this is ultimately a business deal, not an art show. We can wait forever for Mr. Right.
Nonetheless, to the extent that WCATS did help stop the Kirchoff projects, hats off to them. After all, it is an example of citizen activism that worked. We will see, in about five-to-ten years, whether it was worth it all.
40 comments:
For Monument Square, put out a nationwide or world wide RFP to architects with connection$. Make this a function/form project and NOT a developer driven project. Troy was a leader in the 19th century,, lets make it a leader in the 21st century. If we don't think big now we will end up with another City Station piece of crap.
Lucky if we $250k for this land 5 years from now. $600k out of this years budget plus we are not going to see $1 million from Scolite. We are now $1.6 million of revenue short on this years budget. Troy will need a 25% tax increase. Soon.
While your heart is in the right place, no architect will take the lead on this. They will not take the time to draft plans for a contest they may not win. This needs a developer working hand in hand with other subs.
This isn't sacred ground people. If you think Troy rises or falls on this get out of your white-wine sipping, elitist, lefty bubble and face reality. It's not going to be built with the same materials as Troys finest buildings or be as detailed and intricate. That's not fiscally possible. This is America. If someone wants to pay a million and build an Arby's because it will be profitable let them. WCATS has no answers. Just a bunch of elitist snobs who point out imperfections of the people who try and build.
Should we Harry haters ignore the fact that Harry lied about the inclusion of low income housing in the original plan?
BTW City Station can't seem to keep tenants in the retail space. So much for the shopping mall mindset of that developer. Harry even named a street after him. Small town developers blinded by dollar signs.
It wasn't Harry who lied. It was Dunne.
Harry is the reason the place needs development. He tore down City Hall illegally, remember?!
Bottom line- Judge would have had it built, and Trojans would have their own city hall. Politics cost us the expense of moving, and ANOTHER BIG HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN. How about that Met pitching staff though!!
Excellent post. Very well done.
Dems have been in charge of this city for the last 4 1/2 years, turned it to shit. No denying it. If it was up to you dem boobs you'd vote Coop13 as mayor.HG4YN
Seems that all the big holes in the middle of downtown in Troy's history have been "dug" by Republicans.
Also, River Street in North Central ain't downtown.
Judge still hasn't spent the grant he got 3 years ago. Neither had Uccellini.
At Least Sam Judge Takes Care Of His Properties He Should Get The Job And Do It His Way !~~!
Funny, I always thought that Harry was a big hole in the middle of downtown.
.....Hull Cogan
Harry either lied about the inclusion of low income housing or he didn't bother to read the proposal. Either way he was exposed for the incompetent fool he was.
Elite.
Nothing was ever Harry's fault, all of his many, many fuck ups and dishonesty were always someone else's fault. The actions of a true megalomaniac, blame others for his retched horrendous decisions. Your lies fall on def ears
Got to love that Robert Cox. He post about a man who takes care of his property while he rails about his brother that doesn't take care of his property's. This dope is priceless.
8:05 Yet your GOP boy wonder Jimbo Gordon wouldn't get elected with five lines and a split Dem vote. Amazing isn't it.
I love how all you losers blame Harry for everything, its actually laughable when none of you ever accomplished a thing.
I think today is Peter Ryan day in court. Time for him to play the dumb card and explain how Fitzy duped him as sleepy Lou.
Elitist is a legitimate term to describe some of the statist mentality occasionally on display here. We will give you the benefit of autocorrect doubt, but background is one word.
Downtown - technically - goes all the way up to Douw Street. Just check the fire limits in city code.
Really?? Remember, a deal was in place, but HUD Co roy, El Chappo, and Co. led the protest in front of 1MS, screaming that the site was worth MILLIONS. Bottom line, there's still a hole in the heart of downtown. How much is that land worth today?? Bullshit politics at its best. Zelewski finish the study yet?
Nope--Crawley put the wrecking ball to that disaster--get it straight
Funny, a Cox talking about taking care of property!
There is just something difficult-to-describe awesome about the words "elitist" and "asshole" in the same sentence.
Does your WIFI keep bouncing off the FBIs WIFI recently ?
Stfu fatso
Cox's people in the FBI, are currently, while under the direction of Cox, doing an in depth-covert investigation into voter fraud, and why the Canadian Geese seem to have no fear of speeding dune buggy's. The Lindberg kidnapping is next up
Harry accomplished a lot running this city, why don't you list all Lou's fuck ups and dishonesty. Or your own for that matter.
What did Dunne lie about? Harry knew his deal included something like 9 percent low incoming housing. That's not Dunne's fault.
WHAT DICK?!!
12:24, we most people fuck up, they only hurt or embarrass themselves, when politicians start to act like the Gestapo it cost taxpayers money!! Why don't you get that?!
School 12 would make a perfect city hall. Just sayin
Are we blaming Harry by pointing out his many, many failures? There's a difference between blaming someone and holding someone accountable for their actions! Do you get it 8:37
To bad that it's still a school moron!
Are you being accountable for your actions and failures??
Why don't you get that not everything that happens in this city is Harry's fault. We has a mayor for the last 4 years that didn't know he was breathing.
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