Peripheral Visions

By Don Rittner

Over the last month I presented my vision for making Troy “hustle & bustle” again. This plan brings within walking distance new cultural, economic, and recreational facilities, which in turn will bring in millions of people wanting to spend their money. Will it work? Of course, and if anyone takes time to visit other American communities that are doing well, they will see the formula is not the secret of some rocket scientist.

Here are some additional proposals:

Living Mohican Village

South Troy, south of the Burden Horseshoe Buildings

A living Mohican village can be built not far from a known village that existed near the Wynantskill during the 17^th century. Built on the banks of the 'Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk' (where the waters were never still) - the Hudson River, this living village would consist of several longhouses and wigwams and would be utilized by members of the Mohican Nation. Tourists could visit and learn the ways of a people that lived here in harmony with the land for thousands of years. Workshops and special events could take place seasonally. It would be the only living village of its kind in their original territorial limits.

The Trojan Train Museum

Location: Ferry Street Tunnel

The Congress and Ferry Street side of the tunnel should be reopened. Both sets of tracks should still be in there. Offer the Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of the National Railway Society the use of the tunnel to place their 1946 ALCO built steam locomotive and rolling stock inside the tunnel as a railroad museum.

The engine should stick out of the tunnel and the cars converted into a diner, exhibits, and audiovisual center featuring train films, etc. Schenectady has an ALCO diesel sitting in front of the Schenectady Museum.

Uncle Sam Archeological Site

Location: Intersection of short 7^th Avenue and Ferry Street.

Tearing down the house of Uncle Sam Wilson during the country’s bicentennial celebration is symbolic of how far Troy lost its sense of place.

In honor of the country’s lasting symbol, the site should be completely excavated and turned into a memorial or celebration of Sam Wilson.

Alleviating Architectural Constipation

What is it with these existing parking garages in the city? If we need parking garages, at least give them some design that fits into the cityscape. Take the garage (erector set?) on State and River and give it a façade that matches the 19^th century streetscape. Fortunately, the one on the river between Fulton and Broadway is going to come down, before it falls down. Ditto on the city hall garage. Take the entrance between the Arts building and Dauchy building and create some infill housing or commercial building that matches (ditto throughout Troy). Take that new monstrosity on Fifth Ave and give it a deserving facade. Now if everyone were really smart, garages would have their street side contain commercial space and hide the fact that they are sleeping quarters for automobiles.

Mt. Ida Performing Arts

Location: The slope of land between Ferry and Congress, just east of the old Rensselaer County Jail and Cole Muffler Shops, and just west of the Train tunnel.

If we need new parking garages, build a new one at the southeastern corner of Congress and Fifth Avenue - into the hill. The back of the garage can have a performing arts stage while terraced seating arrangements can be built into the hill. This would allow outdoor concerts to take place in the summer time. Congress Street could be narrowed and rerouted to accommodate.

Hilton on the Hudson

Knock down the current City Hall and give the area from 251 River south to the Troy Sentinel Building to the Hilton folks. Let them build a hotel and harbor on the Hudson. The River Street side can conform to the historic streetscape while the riverside can be modern glass, with harbor and entrance for boats and water taxi. Rehab the Stanley Building into a new city hall (Nan Carroll’s idea).

Museum on the River

Hold on Junior Museum, not so fast. Mike Kittner’s Boardwalk building (the old Kelly Clothes) on Middleburg is begging for use. Take the first two floors and remodel it for the Junior Museum. The Nature Conservancy has a great plan to turn the area in back of the building into a canal park, and the Greenway is building a boat launch at the end of Engles. I’m sure RPI’s Hudson River Estuary Studies program can be convinced to move into the building as well. This would give the Mt. Olympus area a real shot in the arm and the Junior Museum can stay where it belongs - IN THE CITY, not the suburbs.

Will we see any of these visions become reality? Don’t hold your breath! Reality always costs more.