Category Archives: Environment / Development

High-Tech Designs Improve Movement Flow For People In Apartments And Businesses

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

This is the new Stewart’s Shop prototype in Port Henry, built by Hilltop Construction. The interior is larger, which allows the company to have more grocery space in its stores.
Courtesy Stewart’s Shops

By Lisa Balschunat
When Atrium Properties of Clifton Park was awarded two town contracts, the company began working on the projects by incorporating new design techniques and technology that creates an efficient transfer of information,said Jacqueline Phillips Murray, a member of the Plank Road Centre LLC.
Rob Holbrook, president of V&H Construction, of Fort Edward, which built the new Common Roots Brewing Co. in South Glens Falls, agrees that new digital design techniques provide a field crew at the site with real-time changes they can pull up on a tablet, instead of waiting for a hard copy blueprint change as in earlier years.
“The change can be emailed to the project manager and the information can be given quickly to the guys at the site,” he said. “They can blow up a drawing or sketch and see the details on a tablet or smart phone easily … that was not possible Fyears ago with just a print.”

FUND For Lake George Program To Help People Upgrade Septic Systems Around Lake

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

A worker pumps out a septic system in the Lake George area.
Courtesy FUND for Lake George

Expanding on its role in protecting Lake George from failing and aging septic and wastewater treatment systems, The FUND for Lake George unveiled a new basin-wide program dedicated to equipping and empowering property owners to ensure every private septic system in the basin is performing as needed to keep the Lake clean and healthy.
“One of the greatest threats to Lake George’s legendary water quality is the increasing levels of nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen escaping from failing and aging septic systems and treatment plants,” said Eric Siy, executive director of The FUND for Lake George.
“The increased nutrients pose a risk for the development of harmful algal blooms (HABs) like those that have devastated lake ecologies and economies across New York state and the country.”
The Safe Septic System Program features:
• A no-interest/low-interest loan program for septic system replacements in the Lake George basin in partnership with Adirondack Trust Co. and Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co.;
• The SafeSepticSystems.org website, an online guide to help homeowners ensure their systems are not harming the Lake.

State Gives Grants To Help Maintain Parks

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the advocacy group Parks & Trails New York have awarded grants to support nonprofit organizations involved with stewardship of 29 state parks, historic sites and public lands.
The grants—including five in the area—provided to partner organizations will help to improve the maintenance of these historic open spaces.

FUND For Lake George Presents Grants To Projects To Keep Lake Clear And Clean

August 15, 2019August 16, 2019

The FUND for Lake George gave out nearly $500,000 in grants to help keep the lake clean.

The FUND for Lake George has presented nearly $500,000 in grants to seven organizations and municipalities to assist in their work to keep the lake clear and clean.

The FUND has now invested more than $7 million in Lake-protection initiatives since 2013.
“The FUND for Lake George not only advocates for the protection of this priceless natural resource, we act, with direct investments to secure the Lake’s signature water quality,” said Executive Director Eric Siy. “We are grateful to our many donors who make these grants possible by trusting us to invest in initiatives that make a sustaining difference for the Lake and our Lake-based economy.”

Officials said this year’s grants included:

• Science of Solutions Grant: $285,000 to The Jefferson Project—a landmark collaboration between IBM, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and The FUND — that has made Lake George “the world’s smartest lake” through the deployment of a highly advanced environmental monitoring system in the water and throughout the watershed.

• Invasive Species Grant: $90,000 to the Lake George Park Commission for aquatic invasive species prevention and milfoil removal initiatives.

Lehigh Cement Co. Gets DEC Permission To Use Alternative Fuel Source For Production

August 15, 2019August 16, 2019

Lehigh Cement Co. received state approval for a modification to its state air emissions permit.
Courtesy of Lehigh Cement Company LLC

by Christine Graf
Lehigh Cement Co. LLC in Glens Falls received state approval in July for a modification to its state air emissions permit.
The company said it allows them to begin using an alternative fuel in addition to natural gas and coal.

The application was submitted in November to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

According to company spokesman John Brodt, “We had asked for a modification to our state air emissions permit that would allow us to begin using an alternative fuel in addition to our current fuel sources which are natural gas and coal. This is fuel that is used to fuel our cement kiln to produce our product. We have the ability to burn either one of those fuels or both at the same time. We make our selections based on cost, market price, and availability.”

Silver Bay YMCA Will Modernize Wastewater System To Be More Environmentally Sound

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018

This is an aerial view of the Silver Bay YMCA central campus, looking north.

The Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center plans to modernize its wastewater capabilities in the fall.

Silver Bay recently submitted and received approval for its design plans from he state to replace its existing wastewater system with a new membrane bioreactors (MBR), Silver Bay CEO said.

According to Tamm, Silver Bay recently embarked on an ambitious re-development plan for its historic campus. This included the interior renovation of the first and second floors in 2016, relocating its parking area and adding the new two-story, 42,000-square-foot William Boyd Center.

“As we continue to invest in upgrading our lodging and amenities, it is equally important that we ensure we are being good stewards of Lake George. A key part of Silver Bay’s mission is to ensure we are having a positive effect on the local community, local economy and local environment,” said Tamm.

Hudson Headwaters Plans To Build A New, Larger Family Medical Center In Moreau

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018

This is a rendering of a new family medical center that Hudson Headwaters Health Network plans to build on Route 9 beginning this fall. It will total 24,000 square feet.

By Jill Nagy

Hudson Headwaters Health Network plans to break ground this fall for a new, larger, family medical center in Moreau, about a mile from the existing Moreau facility.

The new medical center will built on 5.1 acres of land Hudson Headwaters purchased last June at 1299 Route 9 and 34 Fawn Road, close to the Northway.

Plans call for a 24,000-square-foot facility, most of which will be occupied by Hudson Headwaters. There will be 18 examination rooms, two procedure rooms, a health behavior room, and space for care management and nutrition, officials said.

Glens Falls Hospital will lease about 6,000 square feet, where it will provide medical imaging and laboratory services. Another 2,500 square feet are set aside for a stand-alone pharmacy.

FUND For Lake George Awards Grants To Groups Helping To Protecting Lake George

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018

The FUND for Lake George announced $443,000 in grant awards across each of The FUND’s “four portals to protection”—science of solutions, invasive species prevention and treatment, salt reduction, and water quality and clarity protection.

“The critical ingredient to our results-driven success is The FUND’s direct investment in the science and solutions that will ensure enduring protection of Lake George,” said FUND Executive Director Eric Siy. “Since 2013, The FUND has made $6 million in targeted investments that are delivering measureable returns.”

This year’s grant awards include:

Adirondack Mountain Club Gets Grant For Stewardship Of The Adirondack High Peaks

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018

The ADK (Adirondack Mountain Club) is the recipient of a 2018 REI Foundation Stewardship Grant for the Adirondack High Peaks Summit Stewardship Program.

The Summit Steward Program, a partnership of ADK, the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation, protects New York’s alpine habitat through education, trail work, and research.

“REI Rochester is excited to partner with the ADK Summit Stewards program. It strongly lines up with our passion to inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship,” said Emily Copland, manager of the Rochester REI.

Two Convenience Stores With Gas Stations Are Latest Projects Of The O’Connor Companies

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018

Work goes on in the quarry at the O’Connor Companies of Glens Falls.

By Maureen Werther

The O’Connor Companies of Glens Falls, a fourth generation excavating, construction, and industrial building contractor, recently completed two site work projects in the region—Asad Petroleum, a gas station, truck stop and convenience store Route 149 and Ridge Road in Queensbury, and Fastrac Café at 208 Corinth Road, Queensbury, also a convenience store and gas station.

The excavation and site work for both projects was done by O’Connor. According to Scott Howe, construction manager, Fastrac is contemplating opening as many as 12 more stores in the region He said that O’Connor will bid on the projects as they happen.

Fastrac Cafés are open 24 hours and they offer a broader range of food and beverages than some of the smaller convenient stores. The newest store in Queensbury is located just off the Northway Exit 18 and has resulted in the creation of several part-time and full-time positions.