To the Editor:

There are 11 modestly priced homes on Loughin Street [recently renamed Sandidge Way] — empty — and there is a need for modestly priced homes for sale in the Albany area. Why are these homes vacant?

The simple answer is: politics — of the worst kind. Developers want to make money and some elected officials care more about the developers than modest-income families that need and are pleading for homes they can afford to buy in a decent neighborhood. Without home ownership, most families have almost no chance to create savings to help them finance college for the children or provide a home for their retirement years.

If elected officials do not want to help the aspiring middle class, why are they in office?

The Albany County Planning Board recommended against the rezoning of Loughlin Street, citing the proposed increase in density is extreme in comparison to present use and homes in the neighborhood. Yet the Albany City Common Council is about to hold another hearing, on Nov. 7, to rezone the Loughlin Street properties — to permit high-density rental housing.

The traffic impact on Fuller from the buildout of SUNY Poly and the University at Albany already tests the capacity of Fuller Road. Adding over 300 cars from 173 apartment occupants will only increase the danger to everyone using Fuller Road and nearby streets and highways.

Will the property-tax revenue increase (if any) for the city offset the increased water, sanitary, and storm requirements imposed by 173 residences versus the 11 present residences? Will it also offset the cost of other services? Probably not since the developer indicated it will ask for (the usual and large) tax abatements.

Ground and stormwater problems exist in McKownville. Ultimately, the problem flows to Albany’s turn-of-the-century infrastructure that is failing. The proposed 173 apartments add to the groundwater and stormwater problems (and costs) for both the city and McKownville.

The Loughlin site was purchased by Columbia for about $3.5 million with the expectation of selling the property to SUNY Poly. That did not happen when an investigation of possible collusion between Columbia and SUNY Poly was launched. Massry has purchased the 11 homes for $4.5 million — why? To reduce the “odor” from the indictments is one explanation that has been offered.

Punishing McKownville residents, depriving modest-income families from owning the 11 vacant homes, and rewarding developers for poor-quality investment decisions is not good public policy.

The Albany City Common Council does care about the middle class and those trying their damndest to get into the middle class. This reason alone should be enough to prevent the re-zoning of Loughlin Street/Sandidge Way.

Don Reeb

McKownville

Editor’s note: Don Reeb is president of the McKownville Improvement Association.