Dollar Tree competition is one some residents don't want to win
SCHODACK--The land near the intersection of Columbia Turnpike and Route 50 (WNYT meant Route 150) doesn't look like much now but it could soon be home to Dollar Tree's 80 acre Northeast distribution center.
"It will change our neighborhood tremendously," explains Robert Wiltsie. "It's just too close to a residential area."
The plans call for the 720,000 square foot building to
directly butt up to homes in the Richwood section of town. Besides
aesthetics and environmental concerns, residents there say the volume of
trucks in and out of the site will change the face of their
neighborhood.
"It's not just the noise and the light but the whole rural feel of the community," says Barbara Spink.
City leaders agree, residents near there will be
affected. But so would every taxpayer in town if Dollar Tree chooses
Schodack for its shipping center over Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA.
"It obviously adds to the tax base at this point in time
there hasn't been much action in the area," explains Schodack Town
Supervisor Dennis Dowds.
Dollar Tree is promising 100 new jobs and 20
management positions. Even the hourly workers, according to Dowds,
would be provided benefits.
"Hopefully folks in the area, specifically Schodack, will have an opportunity for those jobs."
Even the opposition wants the opportunity Dollar Tree could provide. Just not, quite literally, in their backyard.
"We're not saying we don't want Dollar Tree. The problem
is they are encroaching in our neighborhood heavily. There are other
areas that are completely open," adds Wiltsie.
Representatives from Dollar Tree will be in Schodack
on 1/5/12 to answer questions residents may have. If Schodack is
chosen, construction could begin in April and the site could open
in June 2013.
It's not a "residential" area. There are no houses in that immediate area. It's behind the Dunkin Donuts central bakery. Most of the area for a quarter mile is gas stations and a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteReally, it is across from A Dunkin Donuts, two gas stations and a boarded up "Wholly Cow"! That is neither primarily residential nor agricultural at 9 and 150. For those of us who live here, we could REALLY use the tax relief. How is it that Pilot was built in an empty field- closer to agricultural in my mind- and that didn't change the 'whole rural feel' of the community?? And frankly, Pilot didn't do much to help taxes either, ours still went up about $500 this year, so we NEED more companies that can afford to lighten our tax burden. This could help our community in so many ways, not the least of which would be saving jobs in the school and other tax-funded agencies, as well as lowering taxes for residents, thereby helping people avoid foreclosure.
ReplyDeleteCastleton could use the tax base help so I'm for it. However, if they come I would like to see some kind of assurance that they won't "pull a Pilot" in a couple of years and challenge their tax assessment regularly. I mean if you come to our community and build fine. But do your part and shoulder your share of the tax burden.
ReplyDeleteEvery time a property is being considered in Schodack, there's somebody that's against it? Just like 20 years ago when Haniford build their warehouse and how it was going to destroy life and property! Hog wash you don't even know its there! Come on in Dollar Tree! there's more people that would love to have you then not! If you don't want to live next to it? pack up and leave!
ReplyDeletePlease come to Schodack Dollar Tree! We would love to have the jobs and tax relief. Those who are against it, please just be quiet.
ReplyDeleteSchodack struggles gaining businesses secondary to poor marketing. There are few residential areas like there are at star terrace, Julianne drive, and Richwood. Businesses need a demand. The demand is created by people. Schodack should market itself as a commuter neighborhood for The capital district (much like Clifton park). This would bring people and thus the demand for businesses would increase. We are all looking at this project in the short term. If we continue to short change our community, we will end up with no need for a tax base because we will be nothing more than a mere truck stop. Why do you think dollar tree wants the land at exit 11? The answer is simple, because it is cheap because there is no demand for that land, not because they want to be here. Again, supply vs demand. Let"s do our homework on this project because it already looks to me as if dollar tree will have millions of dollars worth of taxes deferred. Isn't that why we want them, so they can pay and provide a tax base?
ReplyDeleteI highly doubt they are considering this location because the raw dirt is "cheap". Based on their business model they look for strategic locations within their distribution chain. You may note that this sites proximity to exit 12 allow to head in most any direction in under a couple minutes. I am almost 100% positive the reason they dont venture further south on route 9 is because of the lack of infrastructure.
ReplyDelete