Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club hosted Meeting about Troy City Hall

The meeting started at 6:07pm

The following topics were spoken by the Mayor of Troy, NY, Carmella Mantello.

1. Thanking and introductions
   • Boys and Girls Club (Jimmy, Tim, others.)
   • Introduced Shamus (Deputy Mayor, Executive Director of LDC)
   • Acknowledged this presentation is different than the prior one, based on feedback
   • Introduced people with titles in the room: Joe Manscello, Kevin Pryor, Chris Marini, Kathy Carly, Police officers. Commentary on “clearing an encampment behind Walgreens” recently.
2. This is a “public forum” we start the presentation
   • “The Hedley was suppose to be a temporary”
   • “This is for pride and economic bonus”
3. Timeline: April RFP, 8 proposals to 4, then to 2, then Redburn won. Met with architect and design, LDC.
4. Goals: Location, parking, financial savvy, preservation of history
5. Location: central, economic impact, “domino impact”, parking, “red light risk life” (?)
   • “We can do better than that” for leasing $576,000.00.
   • Parking garage would guarantee 110 parking for the city, and an additional 40 spots from RPI. They are accessible, connected but eh alley between.
     • Garage improvements are not included in the construction costs. Parking garage improvements would be a city project for elevator and covered shelter.
     • “Improves safety that area”
     • “LoPorto’s, you better be open for lunch”
6. Tax exempt components, TLDC equity contribution to lower costs, flex lease space, TLDC to manage risk and “assertively” deliver.
7. “Embarrassing” to not have City Hall owned. Nick -Last name- story about Troy being the only city without a hall

Shamus is introduced for the presentation, we are on slide 5.

8. Introduces himself as the executive director of the TLDC
9. The creation of the entity is to serve the public good
   • It purchases abandon buildings or lots and restores them to be purchased by someone else
10. “Absorbadent cost for theater. Jeff will say more later.”
11. Hot topic leads to stuffed hall.
12. “Manory’s is excited about lunch traffic.”
13. “Place to grow into”
14. Carmella stands in front of the projector, joining Shamus
15. Columbia 7m, purchase 1.8m, 8.6m Reno budget
16. Jim De Seve shoutout

Joe Niccola, President of Columbia Development, is introduced, we are on slide 7 a timeline slide of the history of Proctor’s.

17. Mr. Niccola mentions his involvement with the original project, and with the renaissance hotel in Albany
18. Acknowledgement of the buildings age and significance
19. Focused on how the building fell into ruin from the 80s and 90s. RPI involvement
20. Tax delinquent building bought.
21. Why can the Palace or Scht. Proctor’s have their types of shows? Large back of the house to load in from the trucks.
22. Troy Proctor’s does not have a back of house for this to happen. Not physically possible.
23. RPI is consolidating and moving out
24. BBL construction involvement
25. Next steps:
    • Open House August 13
    • City Council will have to approve two pieces: the Land Development Agreement, and the Lease Agreement.
      • Hoping for Late August/September
    • Construction end of 2025
    • City Hall can move into existing office spaces by January 2026.
    • Project done by January 2027
26. If Bill Gates gives us one hundred million dollars, maybe we'll make it a theater

Jeff Buell, Principal of Red Burn Development, is invited to talk about feasibility

27. Looked into a theater during COVID, when “everyone had cash”. Promoters talk about it costing “forty million or eighty million dollars” depending on what you want. Bowtie Cinema calls out accessibility during review, and said forty million dollars.
28. “This proposal is the best situation.”

Questions Section

1. Kerry: Parking would be City Project, how much?
   • It's for the elevator to be installed, and the vestibule. Elevator is twenty-five thousand to forty thousand dollars.
2. Higher maintenance cost?
   • Most likely less
3. Will: I don't believe that. There will be higher maintenance costs
   • Despite current conditions, it will be better. Look at rising operation in Hedley
   • Mr. Niccola gets combative with Will about preserving history. “If we don’t take care of our history, what are we?”
   • “If Bill Gates were to leave Troy one-hundred million dollars in his will, we could undo this and make a theater again.”
4. David Graham: Why are we muscling through this?
   • The mayor asserts this has been discussed for two years now, and a campaign promise.
   • RFPs were out since April, anyone could see this.
5. Susan: Are we paying to not be the new owner?
   • The TLDC will own it.
6. Has the parking garage repair been factored in, it’s not too great.
   • There were recent repairs
7. Extra costs from lawsuit from local companies
8. Lisa: new resident from Affluent Kansas City. “Ten million to building, not the residences. You should be ashamed!”
9. Peggy: will my taxes go up?
   • “No, but rent well.” We used this model for the firehouse in Landsingburgh, Alamo, salt pile, etc.
10. Will: Permits? SHIPPO?
    • Shippo will be involved because Municipal involvement
11. Proctor’s Sign mismatch. Will that be fixed?
12. In 21 years, there will be an option to change rent whatever we want.
13. Joe: 30,000 sqft of space.
14. Kim: historical grants? Most likely not