(rshsdepot) Rensselaer, NY

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

CDTA seeks firm to run rail station
Albany-- Proposals sought from private companies to manage $53M Rensselaer
facility

By CATHY WOODRUFF, Staff writer
First published: Wednesday, April 3, 2002

The Capital District Transportation Authority is seeking proposals from
private companies interested in managing the new $53.1 million Rensselaer
Rail Station, which is scheduled to open in June.

At a meeting of the authority board on Tuesday, the CDTA staff recommended
contracting with an outside company rather than relying on CDTA staff to
manage the station.

"We don't have experience managing public buildings and buildings with space
leased to tenants,'' said CDTA Executive Director Dennis Fitzgerald. "We
need someone with expertise in commercial building management.''

The board approved the first concession lease for the new station on
Tuesday. The agreement is with Hamilton News of Glenmont, the operator of
the newsstand at the current rail station, to operate a newsstand and gift
shop. Under the 10-year agreement, including a 5-year renewal option,
Hamilton News will do its own interior finishing work and will pay $50,000 a
year for the first five years.

Jack Reilly, director of planning and development, said the staff is
continuing to evaluate three proposals to run the food concession. The
contenders include the current station restaurant operator, Nickelodeon
Emporium of Rensselaer; the Albany-based Coffee Beanery; and Gladco Foods of
Pittsburgh, which operates the food concessions at Albany International
Airport.

Fitzgerald said negotiations continue toward finalization of a lease with
the stations major occupant, Amtrak.

The leases with Amtrak and the concessionaires -- along with parking
revenues, advertising and car rentals -- will provide revenues for CDTA to
pay debt service and support the station's annual operating budget of
approximately $750,000.

Preparations continue toward an as-yet undetermined opening date in June,
Fitzgerald said. "The main effort right now is on construction of the
platforms and the elevated walkway'' across the tracks, he said.

Meanwhile, two escalators from the walkway to the platform were to have been
paid for by Amtrak but now will be funded by the state at a cost of
$700,000.

Sign Studio of Troy was awarded a $125,692 contract to produce signs for the
station.

In other business, the board re-elected its officers. They are: Chairman
David M. Stackrow of Poestenkill, Vice Chairman Donald C. MacElroy of
Clifton Park, Secretary Henry S. DeLegge of Schenectady and Treasurer Arthur
F. Young Jr. of Delmar.


=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

------------------------------