Comments

alex 442 days ago

As much as I find the Atrium depressing and dismal - a dead mall that doesn't even rate an entry at deadmalls.com since it was stillborn - I don't think that tearing it down is the best use of resources. Just across Broadway there are large and totally vacant buildings (Proctors, and the one currently getting some facade work) that could be used for the kind of mixed-use development you describe.

Some day, the Atrium could be torn down and replaced, but it's not the right place or way to start, especially when our Mayor is already in the process of soliciting grant money to demolish City Hall (another architectural abortion) for the developer who will swap 1776 Sixth Ave for the resulting empty lot (see http://troypolitics.blogspot.com/2007/09/very-special-meeting.html).

I do agree 100% that we don't need any more behemoth parking garages and could almost get behind tearing down the one for the Atrium. I heard that there was originally supposed to be another structure (more mall, or maybe housing?) above the parking but the money ran out before they got around to building that part. Supposedly there are huge unfinished columns for this upper part on the roof of the parking garage.

troyisgreat 440 days ago

I agree with you Alex.

I don't think the time is right to tear it down. Maybe it could be rehabbed, and made into something very useful.

It's a prime spot in downtown, and it should be treated as such, even if we don't like the fact that it seems out of place.

Maybe work could be done on it, to make it seem less out of place?

Some day, tearing it down may be the way to go. It all depends.

As for now, I'd like to see someone get there hands on it, rehab it, and maybe turn it into a really upscale, modern mixed use building.

troyogini 406 days ago

I do not agree with tearing down the atrium. I personally think it is the perfect venue for the wonderful gem that is the Troy Winter Farmer's Market. Can you think of another equally well-lit and centrally located space that would fill the needs of this wonderful group? That alone is reason to keep the atrium and find ways to utilize it better during the summer months and weekdays. It is interesting to me that the vibe in Troy is to preserve the old but destroy the "new." Why can't we work with what we've got? thanks for reading!

shandor 404 days ago

'It is interesting to me that the vibe in Troy is to preserve the old but destroy the "new." '

Sadly I wish that were the case in the 60s. Anyone pick up that Troy Then and Now book. Depressing.

To some degree I agree with you. There are a number of other areas that could use fixing up, even downtown. We could have shopping centers and new buildings that match the surrounding (sage did a good job with their bookstore). I wish we would stop ruining the riverfront with gas stations and garages (if you drive north of downtown you'll see what i mean).

persap 334 days ago

The Atrium houses state offices that bring workers and shoppers to downtown Troy. While it does not use space efficiently because it was designed as a shopping mall, spending money on replacing the Atrium is foolish when there is unoccupied building space around it.

While I agree that the Atrium Garage is uncomfortable, it serves an important role in downtown use. One of the problems with many small city downtown areas is the lack of parking for casual visitors. The Atrium Garage serves downtown nicely both for daily workers and for visitors to Troy Night Out and the Farmer's Market.

Street parking alone around the Atrium would definitely limit Troy Winter Farmers Market attendance . On Saturdays, we skip prowling around for a parking spot on the street and just head into the garage. On rainy days the walkway is nice.

troyboy04 128 days ago

everybody is making such a big deal about revamping the atrium. all i said was to better utilize the space. no one is talking about kicking out offices but yes, something needs to be done with it. as i said in my original post, offices can still be on the lower floors and even an underground parking lot with something above it.

tvan22 124 days ago

I agree with you troyboy, in that the space should just be put to better use. (rather than just torn down right now.)

It's a bit out of place, but it seems to be structurally sound. I also think that with a bit of remodeling, it could be a pretty nice modern style building.

aspinks22 108 days ago

Yeah, don't tear it down. Just do something different with it.

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