Rotterdam eyes costs of turning old Grand Union into public safety facility
The Rotterdam Town Board voted unanimously to begin negotiations on the Grand Union renovation project after several board members urged the amendment of the agenda to allow them to do so.
The project proposes renovating the existing Grand Union building at 2696 Hamburg St. and transforming it into a new town police and court facility.
Why do we have to wait till the [June 22 meeting]? asked Councilwoman Nicola DiLeva at the meeting on Wednesday, June 8. `We all know the police department is falling down, and we’re putting a ton of money into it. I would like to see it passed tonight so at least we’ll be able to go into negotiation to see how much they’ll want for the building.`
Once several members of the board said they would like to move forward with the process, the agenda was amended to include a new resolution.
Daniel J. DeGennaro, an associate of Clough Harbour and Associates, said the size of the building provided two options for the board to consider.
The first was from a study done in 2009 that identified an operating budget of $9.6 million. It would include renovation of the entire area with site redevelopment, equipment and furnishings allowance and an architectural and engineering fee budget. It would also include a 5,000-square-foot storage facility that would be constructed as a separate building.
The second option would cost $8 million and would only include 28,518 square feet of the Grand Union building and would build the 5,000-square-foot storage facility inside the former store.
DeGennaro said that portion of the project was included as an option for the board if the funding allows it. He added that it was included in the estimates.
Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski said there has been a lot of compromise between the judges and the police department regarding the shared space in the facility.
`When the board decides to move forward, we should try to create a space or area that could be used by both sides,` he said. `One reason is we would be able to reduce this cost significantly.`
What hasn’t been factored into the estimates is the area surrounding the Grand Union, which is 35,109 square feet, according to Godlewski. Since the board voted to allow Supervisor Frank Del Gallo to move forward with negotiations, the board will be able to obtain those numbers.
Godlewski said he has a call into Congressman Paul Tonko’s office to see if there are any grants available for capital improvements.
The board did not express any opinions on the project, but two members of the community said they supported the town moving forward with negotiations.
`I wanted to thank you for putting up to vote the negotiations because we’re looking forward to getting a number,` said Joe Lapczenski, owner of Carman Hardware, adding that several residents, members of the fire district and the chief of police have voiced support. `They’re hoping something nice happens with Hamburg Road.`
Paul DeMillo, store manager at Towne TV Audio and Appliances and member of the Hamburg Street Merchant Association, said he was happy to hear the negotiations would begin and said many of the people he’s talked to are in favor of the project.
`It’s a much needed improvement for the police force,` he said, adding the Grand Union would be a nice addition since the town acquired a $5 million beautification loan for Hamburg Street. `It would be a great shot in the arm of that area.`
Brian McGarry, the Republican-endorsed candidate for Town Supervisor, said he opposes the project and noted the cost estimate presented at the meeting didn’t include the purchase price of the property.
`The costs of this elaborate capital project should not be placed on the backs of hardworking taxpaying residents. Nor should the future of the town be mortgaged by bonding the exorbitant project costs with repayment made over a period of years.` McGarry said in a statement.
McGarry said maintenance costs associated with the current aging facility are significant, but buying back commercial space and taking property off the tax roll shouldn’t be considered. He was also concerned the proposed project didn’t place the building centrally in the town.
Del Gallo said the area looks great since it was done over and added that if the town can acquire the Grand Union area for a decent price, Hamburg Street will get another update.
`If the price is right, we’ll be there,` he said.
Reporter John Purcell contributed to this story
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