PLEAS TO REOPEN
Area government, business leaders urge state to open indoor malls sooner
GUILDERLAND, N.Y. » Local business and government leaders are urging state officials to allow the reopening of indoor malls sooner than later.
Assemblymembers Patricia Fahy (D-Albany) and John McDonald (D- Cohoes), Albany County Legislator Dustin Reidy, Guilderland Town Supervisor Peter Barber, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce president Mark Eagan and Guilderland Chamber of Commerce executive director Danielle Walsh joined for a press conference on Thursday morning outside of Crossgates Mall, one of the largest indoor malls in the Capital Region,
“We really want to encourage that malls such as Crossgates be included in Phase 3,” Fahy said at the start of the event, referring to the phases of the state’s New York Forward reopening plan.
The Capital Region, currently in Phase 2, could enter Phase 3 as soon as June 17.
Fahy and McDonald had previously sent a letter asking that malls be included in Phase 2. They are still awaiting a response.
“Now we’re ready for
Phase 3, and we think we’re ready,” Fahy said.
“As you may know, shopping malls have not been included in Phase 2, 3 or 4,” she continued. “There has been little word on shopping malls, and we do think it’s important that they not be left out or not be left behind.”
Fahy noted other states in the area have opened their malls, and pointed out that many big box stores have remained open throughout the pandemic.
“We think Crossgates Mall and other malls in this area, Colonie and others, can be just as responsible,” Fahy said.
Crossgates Mall, operated by Pyramid Management Group, has issued detailed protocols regarding their reopening plan, Fahy said, assuring that safety standards are ready to be implemented.
Crossgates Mall houses 225 stores that employ between 2,000 and 3,000 employees. “And we’re hoping all of them make it,” Fahy said. “Some of them are hanging by a thread.”
McDonald added, “Primarily we are here today about the over 2,200 people who are looking to get back to work. And we’re looking at a $40 million payroll that has a large impact on our Capital Region.”
He also explained that the sales tax generated at malls goes to the state and local governments.
“This is one of the largest economic generators in the Capital Region,” McDonald said. “It needs to be open, and it needs to be open as soon as possible.”
Commending local businesses on proactively preparing for reopening, Eagan said, “When we have an opportunity to go inside this mall, and we hope it’s within days, I think all of our residents and consumers throughout the region are going to be pleased.”
Though it’s not currently clear in which phase malls are included, Eagan said Phase 3 is the right time.
“This coming week, in Phase 3, we think it’s very appropriate for this state to provide the clarification, provide the green light, that all of our malls that are at Phase 3 throughout New York state should be able to reopen in a responsible manner just like all of our other businesses have,” he said.
Thursday’s press conference also featured employee representatives from restaurant The Standard, Spa Mirbeau day spa and locally owned shoe store Laced Up.
“We’re trying to really communicate just how important it is that we gas as many of those 2,500 jobs, let alone the 225 businesses back online,” Fahy said. “We really do want to see them open.”