Ilion High School - Class of 1971

Source pdf file is here Herkimer NY Evening Telegram 1970 a 01103.pdf on fultonhistory.com

To Set Prices For Land In Downtown Ilion UR Area

ILION - Prices per square foot of land in the downtown urban renewal area are expected to be firmed up for potential developers today, according to Donald Hall, executive director, Urban Renewal Agency.

Giving a progress report on urban renewal at a meeting of the Ilion Citizen's Advisory Committee last night Hall said he will meet with officials of the federal Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUD) in New York City today for approval of the prices.

Sucland reuse appraisals have been mapped out for the approximate 20 acres involved in the $3.5 million Central Business Plaza project by appraisers.

Progress on the land re - use appraisals came from a question by George Bracken, CACmember, who asked about procress in establishing the square foot prices.

Hall said square foot prices on a parcel near the Mohawk Valley Florist and Gift Shop, new structure at the north end of the urban renewal area, has already been established by HUD, and the remainder will be set at the meeting today.

Hall said be has made five visits to the New York City of office of HUD and several to Syracuse in the approximate six weeks be has been the agency's new executive director, "I find a lot of red tape can be cut by visiting the offices directly," he said.

William Wardle, owner of Lynch's Pharmacy. Otsego St., asked Hall about the status of local businessmen asking whether in urban renewal there is "any way the local businessman can be protected."

Hall said he personally would like to see an area set aside for Ilion businessmen, in answer to a question from others. ....

All in all, the agency would like to see all 204,000 square in the urban renewal area utilized so that the village will meet its share of the expense, he added.

The agency is still working with the stole Urban Development Corp, as one answer to developing the urban renewal area, but is also working on alternatives, Hall said.

Belt Traffic Loop

Looking toward the future, he said it is expected Central Ave. and Otsego St. will be connected as part of the belt loop, and that the urban renewal area between Morgan and Wests Sts. will be cleared, possibly by next spring along with the area north of Main St. and east of Central Ave.

The agency is expcected to be ready in about two months to advertise for demolition contractors for the third phase of demolition.

Hall also introduced Emanuele Laura, his administrative assistant, and Herman Stubley, relocation officer. A long time accountant, Laura commented that the agency has ample fuds for the project and to currently studying allocation of such funds.

In other business, Charles Baker, superintendent Ilion Water Department gave a progress report on the $1.25 million water facilities improvement program.

Contracts Awarded

Baker said three of the four contracts involved in the bid opening last Tuesday have been awarded, and will be announced after approval by HUD.

However, Contract 3 for pre stressed contract tanks to hold 2.5 milliton gallons of water in Russell Park and Old Forge Road Hill will be re advertised.

Baker said the board felt the bids were too high. The bids were: Natgun Corp., Boston, $413,220; and Preload Co, Inc., New York City $445,000. The new bids will be reopened Oct. 13.

All the construction is expected to be underway soon, he added. The water board recently received a $402,000 grant from HUD to pay part of the costs. Recently, the village was remetered to help meet costs through more efficient operation.

Dr. David Trautlein, CAC member, questioned Baker about when fluoridating the water will start, as both the water board and village boards are on record in favor of the project.

Baker said after the new water improvements equipment is installed and operating it is expected the board will move toward fluoridating the water.

Wardle gave a progress report on the new Ilion Narcotics Guidance Council, of which he is a member: James Parker gave a report on the legal committee: and Trautlein a report on the Diss Memorial indoor swimming pool.