The grassroots organizations Guilderland Coalition for Responsible Growth, Save the Pine Bush, and the Rapp Road Historical Association have launched a GoFundMe drive to fund hiring their own, independent scientists to evaluate any studies provided by Pyramid in its DEIS. But as of Jan. 10, the group had raised just $2,925 of its $100,000 goal. 

GUILDERLAND — Stephen Cadalso was one of the residents of the ghost neighborhood in front of Crossgates Mall; he sold his home to Pyramid in December 2015. He believes Pyramid’s current plan to build a Costco in his old neighborhood is “too intense” of a use.

Next steps are for the project to go to the Albany County Planning Board, possibly  in December, then to Guilderland’s planning board for a recommendation to the zoning board, and then to the zoning board for a public hearing no earlier than Jan. 15. 

Data will then be used to calculate the cumulative impact on traffic patterns and sewer infrastructure.

Pyramid’s new proposals related to the apartment complex it hopes to build on Rapp Road include dead-ending Rapp Road to prevent through traffic, and moving the end of Gipp Road.

Pyramid officials learned recently that if their plans for an apartment complex at Rapp and Gipp roads is to go forward, they must meet and talk with residents of Gipp Road, Pine Lane — which is just east of Gipp — and Westmere Terrace.

Wayne Crounse of 2071 Western Ave. remembers a grassroots effort by housewives from Western Avenue in the 1950s who wanted a traffic light at the corner of Route 20 and State Farm Road. New Karner Road had not yet been built.

The Albany County Planning Board told Pyramid the ring road around Crossgates Mall is already very congested. Chairman Dominic Rigosu told Pyramid, “At some point, you have to say you have to mitigate it,” referring to the current traffic situation.

Corporate welfare: That’s what several Guilderland residents said Pyramid would get if the town’s Industrial Development Agency approved its application for tax breaks to build a 222-unit apartment-and-townhouse complex at Rapp and Gipp roads.

The preservation movement started with saving Mount Vernon and has its roots in what is typically called 'white man's history,' said Susan Herlands Holland of the Historic Albany Foundation.