With an issue so large and so vexing, it's hard for any one individual to claim the mantra of "visionary", but gradually strategies and ideas are emerging in large part due to the initiative of Assemblwoman Addie Russell, who has hosted skull sessions on what to do when Mercy closes next year.
While in the City, the dilemma is of regional scope and having the involvement of Ms. Russell, County Board Chair Fitzpatrick and Senator Ritchie will help bring about sounder strategies.
Hopefully, the Watertown Trust will play a key leadership role and there were good ideas that surfaced at this morning's Advantage Watertown meeting.
Anyone who claims they have the vision and leadership to solve the problem is blowing smoke...It will take an "all hands on deck" approach. That hopefully is emerging.
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4 comments:
Fort drum needs housing.
Make it apartments for the SINGLE GI's
Or
Low income so those apartments on the square can go market rate and make downtown a desireable place to live
This issue has been years in the making. Mercy has been on the decline and in jeopardy for years, the city leaders should have been more proactive on this. If SMC had not stepped in you would have faced the problem of a huge vacant block sooner. And wonder why we need a group like Advantage Watertown.
But hey, we have hockey at the fairgrounds, right?
I have the vision and leadership to solve the problem. but I have other things I'd rather do right now. Just keep in mind...the key to getting things done around here is, "free money".
Typically in these matters a crony capitalist buys the building for a song and puts a coat of paint on it and rents it out at above market rates to a government or quasi government tenant. Maybe the up and coming anti bulling counseling cottage industry or something like that.
Lets put this in perspective. The Mercy campus would easily fit on a few other vacant complexes or undeveloped lots in the city. Maybe because they are on the north side they don't matter as much and are not a priority.
Use it for Off Campus apts for JCC, and Save some cash.
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