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OTSEGO NOW OKs OPTION
DISTRIBUTION CENTER
EYED FOR SCHENEVUS
250-300 Jobs, Construction In 2018 Possible
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
Otsego Now today took an option on 175 acres off Interstate 88’s Exit 18 at Schenevus, aiming to bring a 250-300 job distribution center there, perhaps as soon at 2018.
The Otsego Now board of directors unanimously approved the $3,000-per-year option, which will allow the SEQRA process – the state-mandated environmental review – to begin as soon at March 1. The goal is to create a “shovel-ready site with an eye toward attracting Amazon or another mega-retailer planning distribution centers in the Northeast U.S.
“There’s a great demand for distribution sites in-state that can accommodate larger distribution centers,” said Otsego Now CEO Sandy Mathes, adding that the “inventory” of such sites in New York State is almost gone. One of the final available sites – in the Town of Florida, near Amsterdam – has just been snapped up by Dollar General.
Mathes said he plans to meet with Maryland Town Supervisor Harold Palmer tomorrow to brief him on the project, and to arrange to speak with the town board at its next meeting. He said county Rep. Peter Oberacker, R-Maryland, and other local officials he has spoken with have been enthusiastic about the proposal.
The site is on the north side of I-88. When developed, traffic will be able to drive into an entrance directly across from the end of the northbound off-ramp, ensuring no trucks will be driving on local roads.
There’s one in Cobleskill that has been vacant since the 90’s. Easy to I88 and still no interest.
I second what was said above. There is so much wrong with this decision. I think we’re forgetting that we’re paving paradise here, unless it were tied in with revamping the railroads and perhaps adding passenger cars in the I-88 corridor which could be a boon to everyone. It’s time to stop relying on the almighty car and truck. How much more do you think the environment can stand? And at what point are we going to ask about the necessity of all the ridiculous goods we pack our houses with and then give away or sell in yard sales the next year at the cost of OUR environment?