Skylane and Blu-Bell owner Alex Patel agreed to demolish the two motels after hundreds of violations were found over one year ago.
Patel accepted a plea deal with the Town of Colonie, agreeing to the town’s offer of demolishing both motels in exchange for excusing more than $750,000 in fines from violations found in the Skylane and Blu-Bell. Patel plans to submit concept plans for new development on both properties.
According to the deal, Patel must immediately apply for a demolition permit and file it with the town’s building department by Thursday, April 2. The buildings must be demolished within 90 days of approval depending on weather, possible asbestos removal, and time required for National Grid to possibly move power lines.
Along with excusing the fines, the town agreed that a seperate apartment/manager’s office located on the Skylane property could remain on the site. Once the Skylane is down, there may be a small storage facility built, according to town attorney Michael Maggiulli. A retail center may go onto the Blu-Bell property.
“It’s a positive outcome for everyone,” said Town Supervisor Paula Mahan. “They’ve agreed to demolish both motels and move forward with future plans…. We’ll work together to improve the whole area, and we’re very, very pleased with the outcome. It’s been a lot of hard work.”
No matter what development does on the motel sites, Patel’s plan must fit into the area and comply with the Route 5 Corridor study conducted by the town several months ago, said Maggiulli. In part, the study states that the area of Central Avenue, where Patel’s motels sits is oversaturated with motels and hotels.
A new town law adopted by the Town Board late last month states that all plans to build a boarding facility in that area of Route 5 will be denied unless a special permit is obtained. Maggiulli has also previously said that Patel will be denied permission to build any motels or hotels in the town.
The case has been adjourned for six months, during which Patel must comply with the agreement, or all charges will be reinstated.
“But we expect full cooperation from Mr. Patel, and we expect that within this period of time, those buildings will be down and new construction will begin,” Maggiulli said.
Had Patel not accepted the deal, the case would have gone to trial. He would have faced the full cost in fines, along with the possibility of 15 days of jail time per violation, Magigulli previously said. Violations totaled over 600 between the Blu-Bell and Skylane.
Both Maggiulli and Mahan have said that the town’s only position in this case was that both motels be demolished, which the town would not budge on. The deal to excuse the fines in exchange for the demolition was originally proposed by town officials back in November.
