by Bea Peterson
“It is going to happen,” said Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge at the third Hoosick Rising meeting on Tuesday, July 22. “The Dougherty corner will be developed.” The Mayor noted that in 2006 the Village received a $750,000 grant from NYS Economic Development for the upgrade and development of two properties, including the corner. “And for lots of reasons the development didn’t happen,” he added. [private]”However,” he went on to say, “a developer has been found, and the grant has been reviewed and reissued for $650,000 for restoration of the one property.” The Mayor extended a heartfelt thank you to Rick Tinkham for his continuous efforts to make this project
happen. “It’s the boost the community needed,” said Borge. With that he introduced Jeff Buell, the affable President and CEO of Sequence Development. Buell said he liked Hoosick Falls and looked forward to creating something special here. Building something on a 32 foot by 66 foot lot is complicated, he said. He has also purchased the adjoining Monahan Building on John Street. Right now, he said, the financing is still in process. “But this is the right time to act.” At the moment his vision includes a three story building with a restaurant on the first floor (the kitchen being in the Monahan Building), residential and commercial use of the second and third floors, capped by a roof top garden. He envisions using outdoor space behind the Monahan Building as well. Buell said if he keeps the idea right, he can put a big city idea in a small place and make it work. He emphasized he will always own and operate the buildings.
It is possible something will happen by October, but he said, “Rather than setting a date, I’m focusing on doing it right.” He guaranteed the building would be open in 2015.
Buell comes with impeccable credentials. According to the company’s website, Sequence is currently rehabilitating 22,000 square feet of vacant historic buildings on First Street in Troy, and the company has overseen the stabilization and construction of several buildings in Troy’s Historic Downtown. Sequence is the lead developer on new housing for students at Hudson Valley Community College, the rehabilitation of 160,000 square feet of vacant building on the Clarkson University campus in Potsdam, NY, and the redevelopment of the former City Hall site in Troy.
Fore more information on the company visit www.sequencedevelopment.com.[/private]