STATE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
THEN AND NOW
THEN AND NOW
Friday, January 07, 2011
STATE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
2011
Our neighborhood association has been a
major factor in maintaining and improving
the residential integrity and environmental
quality of our neighborhood for the past
23 years.
We have defeated land use and zoning
changes that would have adversely impacted
our neighborhood, and adjacent neighborhoods.
We were instrumental in the creation
of Buckingham Pond Park and setting aside
open spaces including the acre green space
and conifer buffer at Krum Kill/New Scotland
the green space at the SW corner of South
Manning /New Scotland.
We have worked to keep graffiti, vandalism
and crime at a minimum in our neighborhood.
2011 presents many challenges for our
neighborhood.
1. Traffic/Pedestrian Safety. In the past week
there have been a number of auto accidents
in the vicinity of New Scotland Ave, Krum Kill
Rd and Buckingham Dr., which have resulted
in serious injuries and one death.
The root causes of these accidents
include: execessive speed, reckless
driving and failure of drivers and
pedestrians to be alert to what they
are doing , to road conditions and to
what is going on around them.
Speeding traffic on main roads like
New Scotland, Western, South Manning
Whitehall, Krum Kill, Buckingham and
many tributary residential streets
is a serious problem that needs the
attention of the Albany Police and
the Mayor.
A mayoral proclamation announcing
strict enforcement of speed limits and
targeting reckless driving, on
residential streets is required.
2. Crestwood Plaza
We promoted retention/improvement of
Crestwood Plaza as a neighborhood
commercial plaza.
Current plaza management needs to
improve the appearance of the plaza
by litter control and landscaping/plantings
including flowers and flowering
bushes/trees.
3. The SW Corner of Whitehall at
New Scotland
We promoted clean up and removal of the
derelict former gas station and successfully
opposed further commercial development
of that 3/4 acre parcel. We advocated that
the developer of the adjacent condos deed
the parcel as park land to the city as part
of thec condo development approval. This
was done.
We have recommended that the parcel be
dedicated as the Dan O'Connell Memorial
Pocket Park, landscaped with a rolling
berms, planted with a mix of conifers
harwoods, flowering shrubs and perennial
flowers. Also, a few benches, a flagpole and
a small stone/plaque in memory of Dan
who lived father down Whitehall Rd for
the latter years of his life. This remains
to be done by the City in cooperation with
the condo developer.
4. The Stewart's Shop: Whitehall
at New Scotland.
We have worked with Stewart's management
to make their store a successful venture in
harmony with our neighborhood.
Our efforts with regard to the 3/4 acre
parcel across the street, have helped
assure the success of the Stewart's shop.
The Stewart's shop will undergo change
this year. The store will be relocated on
the green space adjacent to the existing
store which will be razed for an expanded
parking lot and expansion of gas pumps
and canopy.
We have urged Stewart's to save the
fine Oak located where the current
green space meets the existing parking
lot, bordering the entrance from New
Scotland Ave.
This can be accomplished by leaving
it where it is, or moving the tree to
the park parcel across the street.
At the recent meeting regarding the
Stewart's expansion, we observed that
expansion of the gas pump islands and
canopy was questionable, and that
establishment of a traffic entrance
and exit flow pattern would be essential
to avoid an increase of vehicle/pedestrian
accidents.
Just recently, a man was hit in the
crosswalk at Whitehall/New Scotland.
5. The 7 acre parcel Krum Kill at
New Scotland
We defeated two atttempts to locate
a big box store on that parcel.
The parcel is privately owned.
We have recommended that the City
work out a transfer of development
rights plan whereby the parcel owners
deed the parcel to the City as parkland
and in return receive property of equal
value downtown or elsewhere in the
city.
We have further recommended that
the 7 acre parcel front on Krum Kill
and New Scotland, be connected with
the 5 acre landlocked parcel which
has be rezoned Land Conservation, at
our urging, and the 10 acre parcel
adjacent to the Stewarts shop and
Crescent Dr, which is City owned,
to form a 23 Acre NeighborhoodGreenbelt.
8. Buckingham Pond Park
At our urging, with the cooperation of
then Alderman,Howard Greenstein
the pond and adjacent shoreline were
rezoned and Conservation (LC), park land
in 1994, creating Buckingham Pond Park.
The park needs an improvement
plan which addresses pathways
water quality, shore erosion
woodlot management including
planting of a greater variety of
hardwoods, conifers, flowering
trees/bushes and perennial flowers.
In addition, vandalism and safety
concerns must be addressed.
Review numerous previous posts
on this topic, on the site, which
specify, in greater detail, needed
improvements to the park.
9. The White Death
Excessive dumping of road salt causes
great harm to roadways, street trees
home exteriors, our expensive homes
and vehicles, water bodies and the
health of residents and their pets.
In a time of economic stress, dumping
of execessive amounts of road salt is
unacceptable.
Refer to earlier posts on this subject.
It is up to the people to press political
officials at local, county and state levels
to address this issue.
10. Emergency/Disaster Preparedness
We live in dangerous times. Disasters
natural and man made can occur at
any time. The threat of terror attacks
grow more frequent every day.
Do not look to government to save you.
They are not prepared. Nor,are local
churches, synagogues, schools, businesses
(despite our repeated urging over the years).
You are on your own when it comes to
saving yourselves, your loved ones and
protectioning your homes and property.
The wise will prepare by taking action
to increase the chances of themselves
and their loved ones, surviving whatever
comes our way in the days, weeks and
months ahead.
Some sources of information to get you
started:http://www.security.state.ny.us/preparedness/
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/aly/
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/firepub.htm
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/terrorism/index.shtm
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/index.shtm
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/emergency/index.htm
http://www.semo.state.ny.us/info/publicsafety/winter_safety_tips.cfm
http://www.holisticvetpetcare.com/rid_fleas_1.htm
http://www.ageless.co.za/herbal_remedies.htm
http://www.nysrpa.org/
http://www.talk1300.com/
http://www.albanyny.gov/Government/Departments/Police.aspx
http://www.ready.gov/
B and J Guns 1702 Central Ave Albany 862 9831
11. Our neighborhood watch
Everyone is part of our watch.
Be alert, observant, carry your
cell phones at all times, keyed to
the following numbers:
APD Center Sq Station 458 5660
Anti-Terror Hotline 1 866 SAFE NYS
(723 3697)
Joe Sullivan
Our neighborhood association has been a
major factor in maintaining and improving
the residential integrity and environmental
quality of our neighborhood for the past
23 years.
We have defeated land use and zoning
changes that would have adversely impacted
our neighborhood, and adjacent neighborhoods.
We were instrumental in the creation
of Buckingham Pond Park and setting aside
open spaces including the acre green space
and conifer buffer at Krum Kill/New Scotland
the green space at the SW corner of South
Manning /New Scotland.
We have worked to keep graffiti, vandalism
and crime at a minimum in our neighborhood.
2011 presents many challenges for our
neighborhood.
1. Traffic/Pedestrian Safety. In the past week
there have been a number of auto accidents
in the vicinity of New Scotland Ave, Krum Kill
Rd and Buckingham Dr., which have resulted
in serious injuries and one death.
The root causes of these accidents
include: execessive speed, reckless
driving and failure of drivers and
pedestrians to be alert to what they
are doing , to road conditions and to
what is going on around them.
Speeding traffic on main roads like
New Scotland, Western, South Manning
Whitehall, Krum Kill, Buckingham and
many tributary residential streets
is a serious problem that needs the
attention of the Albany Police and
the Mayor.
A mayoral proclamation announcing
strict enforcement of speed limits and
targeting reckless driving, on
residential streets is required.
2. Crestwood Plaza
We promoted retention/improvement of
Crestwood Plaza as a neighborhood
commercial plaza.
Current plaza management needs to
improve the appearance of the plaza
by litter control and landscaping/plantings
including flowers and flowering
bushes/trees.
3. The SW Corner of Whitehall at
New Scotland
We promoted clean up and removal of the
derelict former gas station and successfully
opposed further commercial development
of that 3/4 acre parcel. We advocated that
the developer of the adjacent condos deed
the parcel as park land to the city as part
of thec condo development approval. This
was done.
We have recommended that the parcel be
dedicated as the Dan O'Connell Memorial
Pocket Park, landscaped with a rolling
berms, planted with a mix of conifers
harwoods, flowering shrubs and perennial
flowers. Also, a few benches, a flagpole and
a small stone/plaque in memory of Dan
who lived father down Whitehall Rd for
the latter years of his life. This remains
to be done by the City in cooperation with
the condo developer.
4. The Stewart's Shop: Whitehall
at New Scotland.
We have worked with Stewart's management
to make their store a successful venture in
harmony with our neighborhood.
Our efforts with regard to the 3/4 acre
parcel across the street, have helped
assure the success of the Stewart's shop.
The Stewart's shop will undergo change
this year. The store will be relocated on
the green space adjacent to the existing
store which will be razed for an expanded
parking lot and expansion of gas pumps
and canopy.
We have urged Stewart's to save the
fine Oak located where the current
green space meets the existing parking
lot, bordering the entrance from New
Scotland Ave.
This can be accomplished by leaving
it where it is, or moving the tree to
the park parcel across the street.
At the recent meeting regarding the
Stewart's expansion, we observed that
expansion of the gas pump islands and
canopy was questionable, and that
establishment of a traffic entrance
and exit flow pattern would be essential
to avoid an increase of vehicle/pedestrian
accidents.
Just recently, a man was hit in the
crosswalk at Whitehall/New Scotland.
5. The 7 acre parcel Krum Kill at
New Scotland
We defeated two atttempts to locate
a big box store on that parcel.
The parcel is privately owned.
We have recommended that the City
work out a transfer of development
rights plan whereby the parcel owners
deed the parcel to the City as parkland
and in return receive property of equal
value downtown or elsewhere in the
city.
We have further recommended that
the 7 acre parcel front on Krum Kill
and New Scotland, be connected with
the 5 acre landlocked parcel which
has be rezoned Land Conservation, at
our urging, and the 10 acre parcel
adjacent to the Stewarts shop and
Crescent Dr, which is City owned,
to form a 23 Acre NeighborhoodGreenbelt.
8. Buckingham Pond Park
At our urging, with the cooperation of
then Alderman,Howard Greenstein
the pond and adjacent shoreline were
rezoned and Conservation (LC), park land
in 1994, creating Buckingham Pond Park.
The park needs an improvement
plan which addresses pathways
water quality, shore erosion
woodlot management including
planting of a greater variety of
hardwoods, conifers, flowering
trees/bushes and perennial flowers.
In addition, vandalism and safety
concerns must be addressed.
Review numerous previous posts
on this topic, on the site, which
specify, in greater detail, needed
improvements to the park.
9. The White Death
Excessive dumping of road salt causes
great harm to roadways, street trees
home exteriors, our expensive homes
and vehicles, water bodies and the
health of residents and their pets.
In a time of economic stress, dumping
of execessive amounts of road salt is
unacceptable.
Refer to earlier posts on this subject.
It is up to the people to press political
officials at local, county and state levels
to address this issue.
10. Emergency/Disaster Preparedness
We live in dangerous times. Disasters
natural and man made can occur at
any time. The threat of terror attacks
grow more frequent every day.
Do not look to government to save you.
They are not prepared. Nor,are local
churches, synagogues, schools, businesses
(despite our repeated urging over the years).
You are on your own when it comes to
saving yourselves, your loved ones and
protectioning your homes and property.
The wise will prepare by taking action
to increase the chances of themselves
and their loved ones, surviving whatever
comes our way in the days, weeks and
months ahead.
Some sources of information to get you
started:http://www.security.state.ny.us/preparedness/
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/aly/
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/firepub.htm
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/terrorism/index.shtm
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/index.shtm
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/emergency/index.htm
http://www.semo.state.ny.us/info/publicsafety/winter_safety_tips.cfm
http://www.holisticvetpetcare.com/rid_fleas_1.htm
http://www.ageless.co.za/herbal_remedies.htm
http://www.nysrpa.org/
http://www.talk1300.com/
http://www.albanyny.gov/Government/Departments/Police.aspx
http://www.ready.gov/
B and J Guns 1702 Central Ave Albany 862 9831
11. Our neighborhood watch
Everyone is part of our watch.
Be alert, observant, carry your
cell phones at all times, keyed to
the following numbers:
APD Center Sq Station 458 5660
Anti-Terror Hotline 1 866 SAFE NYS
(723 3697)
Joe Sullivan
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