This report is good enough to present to the Mayor of Glens Falls who curiously, is not interested in getting involved with architectural plans and construction of buildings or even conflicts of interest within the entities entrusted to improve and enhance the city he was elected to protect, maintain and help its residents and visitors enjoy their stay here. Perhaps he has not even seen the results of the deals made by the Glens Falls Planning Board.
Trees and shrubs are unlikely to thrive in the tiny spaces allocated in the plan anyway. And, golly, someone would have to be paid to maintain them, mow the lawn and water the planters in the parking lot, rather than the ‘free’ maintenance of concrete and gravel.
Even if he had planted things up according to plan, looks like GF needs to bring its construction codes up to speed so green space requirements are adequate enough for trees and shrubs to have a chance to thrive and provide the benefits of natural cooling and absorption of runoff.
Thank you, for continuing to shine the light on some dark deep seated issues in Glens Falls. if any of the readers here are interested in attending the city meeting regarding the next phase of proposed projects here in Glens Falls… The meeting is at City Hall Tuesday, September 3 at 4:45. If you can’t make the meeting, you can always email the counsel express your opinion and have it read for the record.
Hideous! Thank you, Will, for publicizing this abomination! Ditto for exposing the threat to the two Glen Street houses next to the law firm, one of which is a beauty. You meet journalism's highest standards. You find the truth and tell us all about it.
I would additionally like to know more about the fake grass dog toilet ; maintenance plans, replacement schedule, etc. Still more to uncover!
Mr. Patten took the easy way out because of course the gravel/stone doesn't require the maintenance that grass, flowers and shrubs would need. He assumed no one would notice and moved on to the next project. Doesn't anyone follow up on these plans?
Apparently not. I know City Hall has had some serious personnel issues steming from the 2018-19 recession. The Mayor has been trying to get positions filled. Does anyone know if we have an inspector position? And is it filled? Just a thought....fair is fair, right? Thanks
Thank you for your continued interest in this issue of what someone promises and what someone delivers. I fault the City of Glens Falls the most here for not having a system that checks on the promise and the delivery of a plan for either new construction or an extensive remodel. I also see that the developer/owner/property manager really does not care about their reputation. This has been designed as low cost and maintenance for the property management company. Public housing looks better than this on Broad Street. They can still plant shrubs and trees and have stone versus mulch and I hope the City requires them to live up to their promise and contract.
I suspect that very few of us follow any projects to full completion, inspection, etc. in Glens Falls as we mostly assume that after a project is approved, the city has its own inspectors to do final inspections and sign offs. I have gone by the site several times and wondered why this landscape was totally asphalt, concrete and gravel (thanks for the update)? Guess you have answered this question for us. I hope City of Glens Falls takes note and asks for the changes that were originally promised. While the city of Glens Falls proper needs a lot more market rate housing, I have to say that watching Mr. Patten's approach/performance to the process over the past years has not been one that I would suggest to a client going before planning board and the public. Let's hope that the issue with the potential conflict of interest with Board Chair Ethan Hall is quickly resolved and that he can revise the Glen Street side plans to reflect the architecture and design to more in keeping with the neighborhood. I believe the new firm to complete a GF comprehensive plan has been hired and is now underway which is badly needed. The city hasn't had a major overhaul of zoning in 70 years and the city has morphed in to an entirely different place than the one I grew up in during the 1950's. It is clear that many developers are now interested in building here and we are seeing more new projects announced regularly. Growth is needed for tax base, jobs and critical mass and can be good if it is well planned, designed, and completed to the original plan presented. Sadly Mr. Patten has become the poster boy for how not to do it!
If the planning board continues to allow developers latitude when building these projects, Glens Falls will look like a Schermerhorn development. Patten's plan and the Sweetser project at 5 Sherman Avenue need to have requirements that make the buildings fit in with Glens Falls. It's too late for the Goodwin and Washington shoeboxes, but this needs to be addressed before more unsightly buildings are designed. They will complain about the cost of using brick and better materials, and that those costs will have to be passed on to renters, but most locals are unable to afford the current rents anyway.
You are making a difference, Will. People are now paying attention.
Well done Will! Thank you
Working in the public’s interest Will. Very thorough.
This is exactly what we should be reporting on in this town. I’m so happy you published this!
Dear Will,
This report is good enough to present to the Mayor of Glens Falls who curiously, is not interested in getting involved with architectural plans and construction of buildings or even conflicts of interest within the entities entrusted to improve and enhance the city he was elected to protect, maintain and help its residents and visitors enjoy their stay here. Perhaps he has not even seen the results of the deals made by the Glens Falls Planning Board.
thank you Will for posting these photos and making us aware of Mr. Patton's previous work. It's awful!!
"Lots" of evidence.
Trees and shrubs are unlikely to thrive in the tiny spaces allocated in the plan anyway. And, golly, someone would have to be paid to maintain them, mow the lawn and water the planters in the parking lot, rather than the ‘free’ maintenance of concrete and gravel.
Even if he had planted things up according to plan, looks like GF needs to bring its construction codes up to speed so green space requirements are adequate enough for trees and shrubs to have a chance to thrive and provide the benefits of natural cooling and absorption of runoff.
Thank you, for continuing to shine the light on some dark deep seated issues in Glens Falls. if any of the readers here are interested in attending the city meeting regarding the next phase of proposed projects here in Glens Falls… The meeting is at City Hall Tuesday, September 3 at 4:45. If you can’t make the meeting, you can always email the counsel express your opinion and have it read for the record.
Thanks Meagan...how do I email them?
Hideous! Thank you, Will, for publicizing this abomination! Ditto for exposing the threat to the two Glen Street houses next to the law firm, one of which is a beauty. You meet journalism's highest standards. You find the truth and tell us all about it.
I would additionally like to know more about the fake grass dog toilet ; maintenance plans, replacement schedule, etc. Still more to uncover!
Mr. Patten took the easy way out because of course the gravel/stone doesn't require the maintenance that grass, flowers and shrubs would need. He assumed no one would notice and moved on to the next project. Doesn't anyone follow up on these plans?
Apparently not. I know City Hall has had some serious personnel issues steming from the 2018-19 recession. The Mayor has been trying to get positions filled. Does anyone know if we have an inspector position? And is it filled? Just a thought....fair is fair, right? Thanks
WELL DONE Will!!! Can you post this to the Greater Glens Falls Facebook Group? It would carry a lot more weight if it came from you.
So, now we have the City attorney investigating, what's next?
Thank you thank you thank you to both you and Ken...
Mary Ellen
Thank you for your continued interest in this issue of what someone promises and what someone delivers. I fault the City of Glens Falls the most here for not having a system that checks on the promise and the delivery of a plan for either new construction or an extensive remodel. I also see that the developer/owner/property manager really does not care about their reputation. This has been designed as low cost and maintenance for the property management company. Public housing looks better than this on Broad Street. They can still plant shrubs and trees and have stone versus mulch and I hope the City requires them to live up to their promise and contract.
I suspect that very few of us follow any projects to full completion, inspection, etc. in Glens Falls as we mostly assume that after a project is approved, the city has its own inspectors to do final inspections and sign offs. I have gone by the site several times and wondered why this landscape was totally asphalt, concrete and gravel (thanks for the update)? Guess you have answered this question for us. I hope City of Glens Falls takes note and asks for the changes that were originally promised. While the city of Glens Falls proper needs a lot more market rate housing, I have to say that watching Mr. Patten's approach/performance to the process over the past years has not been one that I would suggest to a client going before planning board and the public. Let's hope that the issue with the potential conflict of interest with Board Chair Ethan Hall is quickly resolved and that he can revise the Glen Street side plans to reflect the architecture and design to more in keeping with the neighborhood. I believe the new firm to complete a GF comprehensive plan has been hired and is now underway which is badly needed. The city hasn't had a major overhaul of zoning in 70 years and the city has morphed in to an entirely different place than the one I grew up in during the 1950's. It is clear that many developers are now interested in building here and we are seeing more new projects announced regularly. Growth is needed for tax base, jobs and critical mass and can be good if it is well planned, designed, and completed to the original plan presented. Sadly Mr. Patten has become the poster boy for how not to do it!
If the planning board continues to allow developers latitude when building these projects, Glens Falls will look like a Schermerhorn development. Patten's plan and the Sweetser project at 5 Sherman Avenue need to have requirements that make the buildings fit in with Glens Falls. It's too late for the Goodwin and Washington shoeboxes, but this needs to be addressed before more unsightly buildings are designed. They will complain about the cost of using brick and better materials, and that those costs will have to be passed on to renters, but most locals are unable to afford the current rents anyway.
Excellent reporting! This is a great example of why we need good local journalism.