Mayor touts accomplishments, looks ahead to 2018
COHOES, N.Y. » The Common Council Chambers in City Hall was filled with varying stakeholders Thursday night as they all listened to Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse present his third State of the City address.
In his hourlong speech, Morse highlighted accomplishments from 2017 and also looked ahead for what to ex- pect in 2018.
“It’s hard to believe that two years have come and gone so fast, but as they say, time flies when you’re having fun,” said Morse to start off his speech. “During my campaign, and every day thereafter, what you heard me say is that the only way to rebuild our community is to break the dreaded tax and spend mentality that has plagued local government for years.”
Morse noted that for the past two years of his admin- istration the city has had zero percent tax increases along with zero percent increases to its sewer and water funds along with numerous economic development opportunities.
Some other highlights that Morse mentioned in his speech was how all city positions have been filled, the city receiving more than $2 million in grants for various projects, an $800,000 transformation of Remsen Street to Ontario and Cayuga Streets with new sidewalks, new pavement, new streetscaping and new parking spots. Morse also spoke about the old Cohoes Hotel renovation, which is a $ 3 million residence project along with the opening of Hudson Shore Apartment’s near the river. Morse also mentioned phase two of the Residences at Lexington Hills, which will consist of a $20 million investment with 140 new units of luxury living after phase one brought in 131
luxury units. Another project highlighted during his speech was for another new residence buildings with the Mosaic Village ground breaking slated for sometime this year, which will consist first floor homes for adults on the autism spectrum.
“We have seen the construction of our new Veterans Memorial Park, a veteran’s park that is second to none, which was a $150,000 partnership with citizens, state and local government,” said Morse, while also noting in his speech that the city will start a “Hometown Hero Project,” which will honor Cohoes Heroes who have or currently serve our country.
Morse also recognized 12 new businesses that have opened their doors in the Spindle City over the past year.
“It’s no secret; I have said it a thousand times, economic development is the key to our success,” said Morse, while also noting that over the past two years there has been roughly $80 million in development. “We will never be that old booming manufacturing mill town that people often reminisce about, but we are quickly becoming that new thriving mill town that has been reenergized, revitalized, and well on it ways to that All-America City designation once again.”
One of the biggest accomplishments according to Morse was the city finally receiving $15 million in state funding to transform a dangerous stretch of Route 787 that runs through the city and has taken pedestrians lives over the years, most recently in 2016.
“Perhaps our most mean- ingful achievement of my political career will be the transformation of 787, one of the most dangerous highways in the Capital Region,” said Morse. “Sadly, as a community, we have seen too many tragedies and felt too much pain, so today, after 20 years of advocating the need for change we will finally see a $15 million commitment, for a total transformation from a highway to a boulevard, with new mediums, trees, flowers, walking paths, decorative lighting and most important it will be designed with the safety of our community at its core.”
Morse thanked city employees from all departments numerous times in his speech and thank the entire Common Council numerous times including a constant critic of his, District 6 Councilman Randy Koniowka, even though he was not present during Morse’s address Thursday night. Prior to the address, Koniowka sent out a statement saying that he could not support the mayor as he is still under investigation for an alleged domestic violence incident from late last year.
Council President Chris Briggs and Cohoes Democratic Committee Chairman Gil Ethier shared their thoughts of Morse’s address afterwards,
“Again, I think he did a tremendous job,” said Briggs. “Once Mosiac Village gets in there, for me, it represents what Cohoes is all about, it’s a caring community and this project is going to be amazing.”
“I think he made an excellent presentation for the future of the city,” added Ethier, who is also an Albany County Legislator. ” What we expect from elected officials isn’t perfection but you do expect progress and we are seeing that here.”