For those who live in it, Menands is already a jewel, but for those who drive by it, Menands is nothing but a word written in big type on a green sign on Interstate 787.
However, according to village officials, the steps needed to transform Menands into a destination point have already begun with the formation of a group that is looking at ways to enhance the Broadway corridor and make the village pedestrian-friendly.
We think Menands has virtually more potential than any other area in the Capital District, said Mayor Tom Coates.
According to Coates, the potential has not been reached with what the village currently has to offer.
`The plan is in the process of being developed,` the mayor said.
According to executive assistant to the mayor Paul Reuss, no drawings or images illustrating the village’s vision for the future were available yet since none had been drawn up, but the village has formed a board of specialists last fall, called the Menands Planning and Economic Development Workgroup, to head upcoming projects. The workgroup is chaired by Rocco Ferraro, executive director of the Capital District Regional Planning Commission.
According to Reuss, when the group first got together, its primary focus was the east side of Broadway, industrial properties and other designated areas throughout the village.
`We meet monthly, and basically the group has developed an agenda of issues to look at, really focusing on the best future use of the Broadway corridor,` said Reuss.
In an effort to ensure that residents of Menands are pleased with the efforts of the workgroup, the village had sent out surveys regarding the Broadway corridor, asking the residents what they would and would not like to see in their village.
According to Reuss, the village had gotten about 250 responses, and an online version of the survey is still accessible through the village Web site www.villageofmenands.com/home/.
In addition, information about development projects has been available in the village’s monthly publication, The Menands Activities, which reaches more than 1,300 residents and businesses, Reuss said.
The responses so far indicate that the residents of Menands would prefer to live in a `walkable community,` as Reuss called it.
New York State Assemblyman Bob Reilly, D-Newtonville, compared this `walkable community` description to downtown Saratoga Springs.
`Saratoga is two things: It’s your tourists, you know, outsiders coming in, but it’s also people living in the city. That’s what Menands can be,` said Reilly, who labeled himself instrumental in receiving various grants for assorted development projects throughout Menands.
But according to Coates, no matter what type of development Menands brings in, it will not be able to live up to Saratoga’s reputation.
`We couldn’t replicate what Saratoga has because, one, we’re not big enough, and two, we don’t have that kind of architecture,` Coates said. `We do want that kind of walkable community.`
Reuss said he could understand what Reilly meant by comparing the village’s plans to Saratoga.
`Bob Reilly’s right referring to Saratoga, in the tourism sense,` he said. `We feel that if we can improve the nature and quality of Menands, that will help us become a destination point, instead of everybody driving by us on 787.`
According to Reuss, the plan is to first focus on transforming the corridor into a weekend spot where people bring their families. From there, the village hopes to encourage new businesses and residents to come and make a home in the village.
`We really need to flush out what are the properties, what are the communities, what can be more retail, and what can be used for more commercial use,` said Coates.
But according to the mayor, even though the plan is in process, from now until the transformation is visible could take a long time and a lot of money, specifically non-state funding.
`It’s certainly going to take a lot of private funding. We’re hoping to attract that type of investment,` he said.
Still, Coates said he believes residents are eager to see their new village.
`What we know is that we have a great resource. We’re in a fantastic location, and the people that live in Menands are really excited about change,` he said.“