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There is a lot of building going on in Malta and Clifton Park, we can only hope Costco continues to research the area. AFA people in Guilderland, the area is depressed and it would have brought jobs and affordable apartments (which was part of the deal).
There is a lot of building going on in Malta and Clifton Park, we can only hope Costco continues to research the area. AFA people in Guilderland, the area is depressed and it would have brought jobs and affordable apartments (which was part of the deal).
^So, are we saying that a town with a 4.5% poverty rate and a household median income almost 20k over the state figure in Upstate NY is "depressed"? I can see if a select area or two may be, but as a whole, that is a town that appears to be doing quite well.
^So, are we saying that a town with a 4.5% poverty rate and a household median income almost 20k over the state figure in Upstate NY is "depressed"? I can see if a select area or two may be, but as a whole, that is a town that appears to be doing quite well.
I have no stats, just my personal observation... I really like Guilderland; pretty area and most developments are not done cookie-cutter style where all the trees are cleared. The people seem friendly and the 2 main grocery stores are conveniently located & well kept. But it's not a walkable town for the most part. Many of the businesses on the main drag (Route 20/Western Ave.) Have gone out of business or moved, and the buildings are still vacant. Crossgates Mall was at one time, the largest mall in the area by far. Certainly, the rise of internet shopping & the pandemic have played major roles in the mall's downward spiral, but continuing violence has also been a big factor. Many residents (according to local media facebook posts/comments, as well as my own friends) won't even go there anymore, because the fights that break out escalate so quickly before law enforcement can intervene.
So from that standpoint, I agree with Ellwood in that it is becoming a depressed town. It seems that many residents are fine with that; perhaps they prefer being a sleepy bedroom community without a lot of retail & business traffic. Not that I think that's necessarily wrong, but at some point, the town residents will be (and are?) picking up the tab to keep the town in shape via property taxes. Better use of the main drag in keeping viable business in the town would certainly help in that regard.
Again, just my opinion from a purely outsider view.
I have no stats, just my personal observation... I really like Guilderland; pretty area and most developments are not done cookie-cutter style where all the trees are cleared. The people seem friendly and the 2 main grocery stores are conveniently located & well kept. But it's not a walkable town for the most part. Many of the businesses on the main drag (Route 20/Western Ave.) Have gone out of business or moved, and the buildings are still vacant. Crossgates Mall was at one time, the largest mall in the area by far. Certainly, the rise of internet shopping & the pandemic have played major roles in the mall's downward spiral, but continuing violence has also been a big factor. Many residents (according to local media facebook posts/comments, as well as my own friends) won't even go there anymore, because the fights that break out escalate so quickly before law enforcement can intervene.
So from that standpoint, I agree with Ellwood in that it is becoming a depressed town. It seems that many residents are fine with that; perhaps they prefer being a sleepy bedroom community without a lot of retail & business traffic. Not that I think that's necessarily wrong, but at some point, the town residents will be (and are?) picking up the tab to keep the town in shape via property taxes. Better use of the main drag in keeping viable business in the town would certainly help in that regard.
Again, just my opinion from a purely outsider view.
So, is just a matter of the mall, COVID and shopping habits or is the town literally becoming “depressed”?
Also, wouldn’t a couple of those aspects actually be a reason for not getting Costco?
So, Guilderland has relatively better economic stats than Camillus(not a bad town at all).
The people voted it down because of additional traffic basically. I drive to CT to go to a Costco. With the boom in real estate in Saratoga County, would hope Costco would relook at the area. Crossgates Mall has closed quite a few stores.
^To be honest, I’m actually surprised that southern Saratoga County(Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Redford, etc.) hasn’t been considered for a Costco. I’ll throw in Malta as well.
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Also, wouldn’t a couple of those aspects actually be a reason for not getting Costco?
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Sure, and the traffic it would bring. That was kind of my point. I would rather have a Costco within 15 - 20 minutes of here & put up with the increase in traffic, instead of one more car dealership + hotel + storage facility, etc. and yet another vacant storefront. For what we pay in taxes around the capital region, we should get our money's worth. What will become of Crossgates Mall? Or even Colonie Center? Both are struggling with too many vacancies. A costco as an anchor in Crossgates might have been a compromise....IDK.
Guilderland voters were very clear on why they don't want a Costco. And that's fine, provided they are prepared for the tradeoff. Money will need to come from somewhere to keep the town up. If the revenue doesn't come from business, it will need to come from the residents. Perhaps they consider the tradeoff worth it, nothing wrong with that.
^Good points and I think it may be a matter of not necessarily Costco coming to Guilderland itself, but to just find a location in the area. I say that given what Ellwood has stated in terms of going elsewhere to shop at Costco.
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