Residents say no room for luxury apartments in Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. – “I think it’s a piece of junk. It should come down and it’s an eye sore in the Southside and we don't need any more apartments. We are just sick of it,” said Southside resident George Sandy.
It’s a common reaction from Southside residents. They want the Chalmers Knitting Mill gone. Many think fixing it up will be a waste of time and they would rather see the energy and money spent elsewhere.
“I think the project has a low chance of success at this point. There is an awful lot of work that needs to be done on Bridge Street before that project attracts the type of people it needs to make it a success,” said Southside Coffee Shop owner Paul Parillo.
Long Island developer Uri Kaufman wants to convert the building into luxury apartments. He plans to finance the project with help from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He says the project will redefine the Southside and bring in more people to the area.
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But Alderman Joseph Isabel says that proposal is unrealistic.
“This community, right now, does not have jobs to retain young, the young people. That’s the problem. Retaining people in the community. In other words, all these projects they’re pushing, you don't build the houses before you get the people. You bring the business in,” Isabel said.
Mayor Anne Thane disagrees. She released a statement in favor of the project saying, "The importance of this project to the future of Amsterdam cannot be under-estimated. Once completed, this $24 million venture will bring $890,000 in property tax revenues, $102,000 in water sewer fees and $180,000 in sales tax generated by $4.5 million sales".
If, in fact, the building will be transformed into luxury apartments, each unit will cost between $1,100 and $1,800 a month. Some residents say that's just too expensive for this area.
"There's no one that's gonna pay $1,400, $1,500 rent. No way. The people have a hard time now and I’m surprised H.U.D loosed up the money because everything is bad,” Sandy said.
Whether it will be transformed or torn down, Kaufman will have to come up with the money soon.
Last year, he signed a one year option agreement with city officials that is slated to expire next week, but if he pays $50,000, he could extend that contract for another year.