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This is a letter from developer Murray Gould to Mayor Ann Thane. (Same letter as link provided to Krab Cakes yesterday).  I offer it without comment today; I’ll have plenty to say over the next day or so.

Please note that I used software to convert this to text so you may find misspellings and typos– they are not part of the original letter and in the interest of my limited time today, I post it as is as it’s an important document.

PORT CITY PRESERVATION
May 6, 2009
Ann M. Thane, Mayor City of Amsterdam
61 Church Street
Amsterdam, New York 12010
Re: Re: Chalmers Building Situation
Dear Mayor Thane:
I thought it might be useful for me to put down in writing some of the comments I made to you earlier today during our telephone conversation.
I called you in the early afternoon to discuss my serious concerns regarding the media reports related to the Chalmers Building rehabilitation. In particular, the issues and alleged opposition to the planned rehabilitation ofthe Chalmers Building. In today’s edition of The Recorder, it is reponed that the City Council voted to oppose the nomination of the Chalmers Building to the National Register of Historic Places. Listing ofthe property is an essential ingredient to qualify the planned rehabilitation for federal and state rehabilitation lax credits, a critical element of the overall project financing. Opposition to the National Register listing denies the project developer of an essential ingredient of financing to make the project work.
The overall tone and alleged increase in community and city opposition to the Chalmers project is very unsettling to me as the potential developer of the Esquire Novelties Building. It is also very troubling to read the overall tone that I believe is disrespectful of Mr. Kauffman’s efforts. I am assuming that Mr. Kauffman has spent more than a year and expended a considerable amount of pre¬development funds to get to this point in the process. I can speak from more than twenty years experience that the development process for these types of projects is not easy. The journey that a developer takes from pre-development analysis into construction and then to project completion is not a clear well-defined path. It is ajoumeyfilled with ambiguity and uncertainty. Manydevelopers steer clear of projects of this nature because of this ambiguity. It is easier, less stressful and less risky to pursue new construction projects. It also takes someone with vision and determination to make a project like Chalmers to work.
This journey that I just described is tough under the best of circumstances. Community and official support from the municipality is an absolute requirement for a developer to consider taking on the risk of’a project like Chalmers or Esquire Novelties. If that support is not clear, then it is simply too risky for the developer to proceed.
Like so many communities in upstate New York, Amsterdam has numerous underutilized or vacant buildings that reflect their industrial past. While they may appear to many as community eyesores, they can also be the catalyst for rebuilding your community. Elected officials who can embrace these opportunities to adaptively re-use and rehabilitate these buildings will see their tax base expanded, jobs created and be a leader in sustainability, smart growth and environmental responsibility. I have never met Mr. Kaufman but I do know that he has an excellent reputation and proven track record. J can assure you that there are many communities in upstate New York that would role out the welcome mat for Mr. Kaufman if he is not welcome in Amsterdam.
I am very fortunate that J have choice in where J choose to work on historic rehabilitation projects I am very excited about the promise and challenge that goes with the rehabilitation of the Esquire Novelties property. However. that does not mean that J am wiI1ing to spend yearsofeffort and take a major financial risk if there is not community support. The recent events related to the Chalmers Building are causing me to seriously reconsider my decision. The vote by the City Council opposing the National Register nomination sends a very strong signal to me and others in the development community that the City of Amsterdam does not support this type of project.

At this point I am ceasing any further pre-development work on the Esquire Novelties project. I will carefully watch the further actions by the City regarding the Chalmers project to determine whether I should continue with involvement with the project.
Sincerely,

Murray F. Gould

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