Wow, I never heard that story before. I hope this project gets the full attention and transparency during the approval process and is revised to a more pleasing design. Glens Falls was certainly discovered by many from metro NYC area during COVID. Property values shot up by huge percentages and Saratoga and Lake George are multiples that are even more expensive. Owning a home is clearly becoming out of reach of many in the next generation. We have limited amount of land left inside the city limits to build and downtown needs a new comprehensive plan and updated zoning for the 21st century. Luckily that plan is in the works as is one for Queensbury Township and Warren County. Let's hope reason prevails so that future large development is done well. Sadly urban renewal ruined many small cities in our country during the 70's and the legacy of the late Ed Bartholomew with the Civic Center and the 100 year lease to the Burger King property owners was just plain bad urban planning. Unfortunately the DRI project that has given us a $4 million new version of an "events center" and replacing the Farmer's Market will go down in city history as Ed's last stand. That type of grant, the entire story and what is has turned in to is why these types of "cluster" (you know what the next word is) need to go away. A camel is a horse designed by a committee. Last I heard there will be no heat in this leaf shaped, small space that I have yet to hear a good explanation as to how we got such a dumb, expensive, and useless building for millions.
Ethan Hall has done many successful projects in Glens Falls, and in every case where a project comes before the Planning Board he recuses himself from the process and does not have a vote.
It doesn’t sound like Chris Patten, Developer, is a suitable ambassador for Glens Falls, Hometown USA. But then again, it’s clear he doesn’t want to be.
I am so sad that demolishing the beautiful building at 391 Glen is even under consideration. Together with the Chapman Museum, it's my favorite Glens Falls structure. I love the oval porch window. Please, Powers-That-Be, don't sabotage our Renaissance for money! We have been, and are again, a beautiful, livable city.
I want to rehab this building!!! It is my favorite building in Glens Falls and I own 63 Bay Street....which I love to pieces. I now stare at the unremarkable apartment building going up on Washington. I can't watch this happen again....and it is very ironic that this new apartment complex would tear down that special little gem that I have always loved.
I was agnostic on his proposal to build apartments between the church and the civil war monument. I believe a well designed building there could be an attractive addition to downtown GF while providing more useful green space than the large lawn that gets very little use. I made some comments on line suggesting that the presentation drawings for his proposed project were inadequate to the job of convincing a dubious public that his project was worthwhile. His response very quickly turned antagonistic and I became convinced he should not be allowed to build in that location.
I followed that fiasco on facebook and had to correct many incorrect statements about the property and the old GF Insurance Co. and why the building was torn down (my late father built the tower and made the decision to tear down the old one due to annual costs for a building that has been mothballed). I also watched him on Zoom calls for planning board and cringed at his responses because I knew he had zero understanding of how he was coming off on the call.
For the moment, let’s put aside the dismal aesthetics of Chris Patten’s apartment buildings — that they’re ugly tin-boxes with no redeeming architectural qualities — and look at the buildings’ sustainability. That is, are they built to last? Or are they built to make a short-term profit today?
What will these buildings look like in 20 years? Or 50 years? Are they built of materials that can be maintained so they can continue to provide adequate housing for their residents? Or will they deteriorate, both inside and out, while the owners’ profit?
Are developers’ responsibility only to the present? Only to the profit they make in the short-term? Or do they owe something to the community and the community’s future?
Not surprised this was how he spoke to you Will. You're not alone.
His arrogance knows no bounds - the time period I worked with him was full of him yelling and blaming us that his restaurant was failing....no accountability on his part. I was actually told by him to stop speaking with my former employer - I think he was jealous that there had been a thriving business under that person.
He was not a good employer .
He is a bully. And some people are afraid of him .
The stories I could tell .... suffice it to say that drugs and alcohol are alive and well downtown. Reminiscent of the 80s .... Draw your own conclusions.
He has shown you who he is, and that is a monster.
Privileged and full of sneering contempt for anyone who tells him no.
His mother stood by on several occasions as he screamed in people's faces. I don't get it.
This kind of reminds me of urban renewal, we have to be careful about what we tear down, how many would love to see the Rialto or Paramount theaters today
Thanks Will, this "character" needs to be reined in. However, I thinks this opens up a bigger issue..I understand the planning board is a lifetime appointment? If this is so, then we need term limits on these people. I haven't liked any of their decisions recently. Your thoughts???
Tough guys go farther in the industry. I don’t live in GF but probably any forward movement there is good, considering it’s kind of a fading city. Sorry you had to go through that, though.
It is certainly NOT a fading city! After a several decades-long decline, Glens Falls has "reopened" as a beautiful, chic little city! We have lovely buildings, parks, restaurants, a great library and museums, and it's getting better by the day. You'd be lucky to live here!
Do you have any statistical evidence for that? Because I’ve worked in and around the construction business for about 40 years and I haven’t noted a disproportionate number of highly successful “tough guys.”
"Can he be trusted to do as he says?" / Apart from the question of questionable approval of the developer's proposals, Why should "trust" enter into it- "plans" should be made to be legally binding and if they are not, Pray tell: Why not?
Thanks for sharing your experiences. They help to clarify the short-sidedness of the "profits over people" mindset.
Wow, I never heard that story before. I hope this project gets the full attention and transparency during the approval process and is revised to a more pleasing design. Glens Falls was certainly discovered by many from metro NYC area during COVID. Property values shot up by huge percentages and Saratoga and Lake George are multiples that are even more expensive. Owning a home is clearly becoming out of reach of many in the next generation. We have limited amount of land left inside the city limits to build and downtown needs a new comprehensive plan and updated zoning for the 21st century. Luckily that plan is in the works as is one for Queensbury Township and Warren County. Let's hope reason prevails so that future large development is done well. Sadly urban renewal ruined many small cities in our country during the 70's and the legacy of the late Ed Bartholomew with the Civic Center and the 100 year lease to the Burger King property owners was just plain bad urban planning. Unfortunately the DRI project that has given us a $4 million new version of an "events center" and replacing the Farmer's Market will go down in city history as Ed's last stand. That type of grant, the entire story and what is has turned in to is why these types of "cluster" (you know what the next word is) need to go away. A camel is a horse designed by a committee. Last I heard there will be no heat in this leaf shaped, small space that I have yet to hear a good explanation as to how we got such a dumb, expensive, and useless building for millions.
Wouldn't that be a conflict of interest?
How does the city allow someone with a clear conflict of interest chair its planning board?
That would explain a lot!
Ethan Hall has done many successful projects in Glens Falls, and in every case where a project comes before the Planning Board he recuses himself from the process and does not have a vote.
This is very sad
It doesn’t sound like Chris Patten, Developer, is a suitable ambassador for Glens Falls, Hometown USA. But then again, it’s clear he doesn’t want to be.
I wish this was a unique circumstance among developers, but it is not.
I am so sad that demolishing the beautiful building at 391 Glen is even under consideration. Together with the Chapman Museum, it's my favorite Glens Falls structure. I love the oval porch window. Please, Powers-That-Be, don't sabotage our Renaissance for money! We have been, and are again, a beautiful, livable city.
I want to rehab this building!!! It is my favorite building in Glens Falls and I own 63 Bay Street....which I love to pieces. I now stare at the unremarkable apartment building going up on Washington. I can't watch this happen again....and it is very ironic that this new apartment complex would tear down that special little gem that I have always loved.
Two feet in!!
I was agnostic on his proposal to build apartments between the church and the civil war monument. I believe a well designed building there could be an attractive addition to downtown GF while providing more useful green space than the large lawn that gets very little use. I made some comments on line suggesting that the presentation drawings for his proposed project were inadequate to the job of convincing a dubious public that his project was worthwhile. His response very quickly turned antagonistic and I became convinced he should not be allowed to build in that location.
I followed that fiasco on facebook and had to correct many incorrect statements about the property and the old GF Insurance Co. and why the building was torn down (my late father built the tower and made the decision to tear down the old one due to annual costs for a building that has been mothballed). I also watched him on Zoom calls for planning board and cringed at his responses because I knew he had zero understanding of how he was coming off on the call.
Have a good one indeed
For the moment, let’s put aside the dismal aesthetics of Chris Patten’s apartment buildings — that they’re ugly tin-boxes with no redeeming architectural qualities — and look at the buildings’ sustainability. That is, are they built to last? Or are they built to make a short-term profit today?
What will these buildings look like in 20 years? Or 50 years? Are they built of materials that can be maintained so they can continue to provide adequate housing for their residents? Or will they deteriorate, both inside and out, while the owners’ profit?
Are developers’ responsibility only to the present? Only to the profit they make in the short-term? Or do they owe something to the community and the community’s future?
As Patten says, “That’s news to me."
I hope this article is shared with the Mayor, Planning, Zoning and Building Departments.
Not surprised this was how he spoke to you Will. You're not alone.
His arrogance knows no bounds - the time period I worked with him was full of him yelling and blaming us that his restaurant was failing....no accountability on his part. I was actually told by him to stop speaking with my former employer - I think he was jealous that there had been a thriving business under that person.
He was not a good employer .
He is a bully. And some people are afraid of him .
The stories I could tell .... suffice it to say that drugs and alcohol are alive and well downtown. Reminiscent of the 80s .... Draw your own conclusions.
He has shown you who he is, and that is a monster.
Privileged and full of sneering contempt for anyone who tells him no.
His mother stood by on several occasions as he screamed in people's faces. I don't get it.
The single stalking story here, told by Will, seems to illustrate there are more examples of that behavior out there.
This kind of reminds me of urban renewal, we have to be careful about what we tear down, how many would love to see the Rialto or Paramount theaters today
Sounds like it would be appropriate to form a non-profit consortium to outbid him on every available property he seeks to acquire.
Thanks Will, this "character" needs to be reined in. However, I thinks this opens up a bigger issue..I understand the planning board is a lifetime appointment? If this is so, then we need term limits on these people. I haven't liked any of their decisions recently. Your thoughts???
Tough guys go farther in the industry. I don’t live in GF but probably any forward movement there is good, considering it’s kind of a fading city. Sorry you had to go through that, though.
It is certainly NOT a fading city! After a several decades-long decline, Glens Falls has "reopened" as a beautiful, chic little city! We have lovely buildings, parks, restaurants, a great library and museums, and it's getting better by the day. You'd be lucky to live here!
Wait, wut?
“Tough guys go farther in the industry.”
Do you have any statistical evidence for that? Because I’ve worked in and around the construction business for about 40 years and I haven’t noted a disproportionate number of highly successful “tough guys.”
"Can he be trusted to do as he says?" / Apart from the question of questionable approval of the developer's proposals, Why should "trust" enter into it- "plans" should be made to be legally binding and if they are not, Pray tell: Why not?