With the arrival of spring, I am pleased to announce a Village wide initiative, Grow Menands. This project is spearheaded by our Director of Economic Partnership, Bill Giering. 2014 will mark the 90th Anniversary of Menands and as part of that celebration, we would like the residents and businesses to participate in bringing color to Menands by planting additional flowers this year to make Menands as colorful as possible.
With planting season upon us means the opening of the Menands Farmers Market. The Market is in full bloom with many special events throughout the season. Check out their website for details. Missing this year from the Market will be General Manager Fred Cole. Fred has taken a position in Charlotte, NC at Charlotte’s Regional Farmers Market. I am going to miss Fred both personally and professionally as we shared several projects over the last few years and enjoyed a good working relationship. I wish Fred the best of luck in his new endeavor.
On an economic front, I would like to welcome B & B Auto to Menands. After many years vacant, this used car dealership is located at the former Hess gas station at 50 Broadway and is a welcome addition to that area.
Rite Aid Pharmacy is finishing up a renovation of their store. It is quite the transformation and if you haven’t been there recently it will be worth the visit.
Golden Crust Pizza, in Mid-City Plaza, was issued a building permit for renovations to their building allowing for additional seating in their new space. Menands Mobil is also undergoing an expansion of their site.
We are pleased at the number of businesses who are expanding and renovating their properties and committed to doing business in Menands. The Village of Menands Business Directory can be accessed on the Village website.
Thank you to Youth Director Brianna DiBiase Coughlin and her helpers for a fun Easter Egg Hunt. With Easter so early this year, there was still some snow on the ground, but the kids still had fun.
The Menands Jr. Baseball & Softball League was the recipient of a field make-over sponsored by the Tri-City Valley Cats. Teaming up with BlueShield of Northeastern New York on the Community Grounds Crew and League Coaches, new sod was placed on the infield and the pitcher’s mound and home plate areas rebuilt. With Opening Day held on April 20th, the home run fence is up and the lights are in place. If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy a night game I recommend doing so at least once during this baseball season. Congratulations to League President Steve Nicoll and others for their hard work and dedication to the youth of Menands.
Trustee Aileen Nicoll and I, along with Chief Mike O’Brien, met with Menands School Superintendant, Kathy Meany and members of her staff to discuss school safety and the role the Village should play in the event of an emergency. Chief O’Brien is participating in drills and working closely with school to ensure a quick response and coordinated effort between the police department and the school.
With the purchase of Albany International by developer Uri Kaufman, I have had an opportunity to discuss the plans for the building with Uri and am excited for the project to get underway. Trustee Nicoll and I were given a tour of the facility and it was intriguing to see what used to be and what is yet to come. This project will be a big lift for Menands and another positive asset to the Broadway Corridor.
Speaking of the Corridor, after two years of planning and many meetings with the Broadway Corridor Rezoning Committee, Public Meetings and Hearings, the Village Board has approved the rezoning of the Corridor. Trustee Mark Lansing and I want to thank the members of the Committee for their time and dedication to seeing that the rezoning is in the best interest of the Village and the future of the Corridor.
With many new families moving into Menands this past year, I invite them to join their neighbors by attending the Concerts in the Park, held on Tuesday nights beginning July 9th and other community events held throughout the year. Details
can be found on the Village website @ www.villageofmenands.com. I am sure the new families will enjoy the strong sense of community in Menands as the long time residents have. Welcome!
During the warm weather months, please take extra precautions with kids playing outside, people walking and motorcycles on the road. Have a safe and happy spring.
Until next time,
Mayor Meg