An Old Treasured Friend

One of the things I most enjoy is history and it’s one the reasons why I love Uptown so much; It’s full of it. Here, we have an opportunity to be a living record of Troy’s contribution to the Industrial Revolution. The greatest concentration of late 19th century and early 20th century industrial structures still stand in Uptown, sadly most empty and unused. Many of our businesses are gone and we miss old treasured friends like Collins Lumbar, Wheeler Bros Brass Foundry and the Railroad. Our efforts to Revitalize Uptown Troy include seeing these industrial glories restored, renewed and re-purposed.

One of these great structures is at 669 River Street. Former home to John B. Garrett, Inc., it was originally built as the American Seal Paint Factory. I worked in this building for almost a decade and she’s a beaut. John B. Garrett, Jr. appreciated history as well. Going up to the second floor was like entering a medical museum, with a collection of antique medical equipment and instruments. The third floor was even better. One of the big vats used to make paint was still there. The elevator, sprinkler system and fire alarm all original to the building. She now sits vacant a victim of an alleged Ponzi schemer.

Mr. Garrett said that during Prohibition, Canadian booze would be smuggled in from the river through the sub-basement, carried up the elevator to the third floor and hidden in one of these vats. There would always be someone on duty next to the pull that dropped the batch into the Hudson should a raid occur. He never did say they were raided. Troy was quite the distribution center in the bootleg trade.

Please continue supporting The Uptown Initiative’s efforts and those of our CDC Partners: Albany Jewish Community Center, Project Hope/Fort Edward, WSW Art Farm, Encore Theater, Palace Performing Arts Center and Hannah’s Hope.

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Keeping Faith in the Mission

On November 21st, Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church held its final worship service. An aged and dwindling congregation recognized its inability to continue supporting the little white church on the corner on its own. These dedicated and spirited members also understood how vital their services and missions were to the community. They vowed to keep the building operating as a community center and reached out to the community for support.

This isn’t the first time the congregants of OAPC have fought to save their church. When the Oakwood and Liberty congregations merged in 1963, they formed the first inter-racial congregation in the country. Then again when their steadfast refusal to concede their church building for construction of the Collar City Bridge. A glowing example of active historic preservation! Thanks to them that bridge doesn’t go all the way up to 15th.

It was through Linda O’Malley’s outreach to TRIP that The Uptown Initiative learned of their need. That little white church is at the gateway of Uptown and serves as our southeast anchoring landmark. Several of our members have volunteered and are serving on the committee that organized this evening’s concert. Tickets are $10 for adults and will be available at the door. Oh, and bring the kids ‘cause children under 12 are FREE. Won’t you join us for Songs of the Season?

Please take a few moments and vote to Revitalize Uptown Troy and those of our CDC Partners: Albany Jewish Community Center, Project Hope/Fort Edward, WSW Art Farm, Encore Theater, Palace Performing Arts Center and Hannah’s Hope.

Click here to sign up for The Uptown Initiative’s email list and to receive my daily “Uptown Tidbits” email.

Yes, Xenia, Persistance Does Pays Off

Ever notice that when you are about to give up hope on something happening, it happens? Well, that’s what it was like Wednesday morning for my friends and I of The Uptown Initiative. After attempting to submit our Uptown Initiative Neighborhood Project every month since April, we finally got accepted to vie for a $50,000 Refresh Everything neighborhood grant. Yes, Xenia, persistence does pays off and thank you for proving it.

We’re all exceedingly excited about the opportunities this opens up for our neighborhoods and encouraged by the support we have already been shown. The Albany Jewish Community Center and Hannah’s Hope are two great projects we are partnering with to broaden the depth of local support.

We’ve selected Project Hope/FtEdward as our Uptown Youth Supporting Other Youth project of the month. This group of middle school students have taken the lessons of the tragic loss of their friend Hope and turned it into positive action for their community. The best hope for the future of our neighborhoods, cities and nation lies within our youth. It is incumbent on us to promote and recognize those displaying extraordinary civic responsibility.

And remember, it’s in the giving that we truly receive, so don’t forget to share.