To the Editor:

As an 11-year resident of Guilderland, I am astonished by the amount of pushback being received by the public regarding the Pyramid/Costco project. Of all the projects that have been completed and those proposed to move forward, this particular project addresses two needs in the Capital Region and right here in Guilderland — a bulk shopping option, and housing for our aging population.

At a time when the future of businesses is unknown, Costco can and will provide residents of Guilderland, and the Capital Region, a bulk shopping option outside of the Colonie township and much-needed tax revenue to our community.

Although Colonie is a larger area than Guilderland, it has a Sam’s Club, BJ’s and a mall all within its jurisdiction. Costco reaches a specific audience in need of a bulk-shopping option. This will not affect the mom-and-pop shops as some against this project continue to point out.

My family and friends in the area will still continue to support local businesses like The Book House, Bountiful Bread, and the many shops in Stuyvesant Plaza that continue to serve our community. We will continue visiting The UPS Store, Gade’s and Ace Hardware, as these businesses provide goods and services not offered by a large chain like Costco. They provide familiar faces and a sense of community that will not be disrupted because of a Costco.

It is publicly known that Guilderland’s aging-resident population is rising and its need for downsizing would be met by the Crossgates apartments while opening up a housing market for our growing population. Without this particular project, aging residents will seek other senior facilities and apartment options outside of Guilderland (likely in Colonie). Our current and future residents will also be looking elsewhere to purchase their first home.

The amount of negative attention these projects is receiving is astonishing. Four-hour-long planning meetings, outrage, and people risking their lives and the lives of construction workers trying to do their jobs. I can assure you that, even though these examples receive a lot of attention, many of our Guilderland residents do not share their opinions on these projects.

These are the people I am writing on behalf of. We still have many beautiful residential areas, parks, and other areas not being disturbed. In my opinion, this would be a huge missed opportunity to provide much-needed revenue to our area and an opportunity to allow our senior population to comfortably live out the rest of their lives in the community where they bought their first home, raised their families, and now would like to retire.

In order for our community to continue growing in perpetuity, we need to address these needs. Give the Guilderland residents more credit. We love our community just as much as those opposed to these projects, we are just choosing to see how prosperous our community can be with new opportunities that can assist with our growth.

I encourage people to explore the many beautiful spaces in our area because Guilderland is more than just Western Avenue.

Melisa Logan

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Currently, the apartment, assisted living, and nursing homes places currently existing for seniors in Guilderland totals about 900 with another 690 in the works.

According to figures from the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, the number of people in Guilderland aged 75 and above is expected to grow from 1,940 people in 2010 to 2,384 in 2020 and, over the next 20 years through 2040, nearly double, rising to 4,398.

The age group of 55 to 64 is expected to grow by a few hundred between 2010 and 2020, increasing from 5,045 to 5,478, but then to drop between 2020 and 2030, to 4,186.

People aged 65 to 74 are expected to increase in number sharply from 2010 to 20220, from 2,414 to 4,242, but then to rise only a few hundred during the decade through 2030, to 4,526. Then they are expected to drop over the next decade, through 2040, to 3,525.