The contents of the former City Hall, including the Council Chamber theater seating, will be auctioned off this Saturday, Oct. 16 at the 1 Monument Square location. Even though the City Council passed an ordinance last week preventing the demolition of the site without prior approval, work has already been under way abating -- and essentially gutting -- the interior of the building.

Although passing a resolution in May by a vote of 7-2 to accept and appropriate $910,000 in Restore New York funding for the demolition, there has recently been a move by some Council members and residents to consider returning City Hall to Monument Square.

It seems reasonable, however, that the price tag for any renovations of the building will continue to go up as contents are removed and abatement work moves forward.

There are a number of other items -- including vehicles, heavy equipment, police evidence and bikes -- also be auctioned off on Saturday at three different sites. For more information, visit www.collarcityauctions.com or call 895-8150, ext. 101 for a brochure.

Representatives from W Architecture -- the consultant overseeing the redevelopment of Riverfront Park -- will present preliminary design alternatives at a public meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the Italian Community Center.

This will be the first of several public meetings to showcase plans and solicit input from the public on how the park should be redeveloped after the former City Hall building in Monument Square is demolished.

Last week the city Planning Board made negative declarations on both the demolition of the former city hall and the redevelopment of Riverfront Park, allowing both projects to move forward.

Mayor Harry Tutunjian said that "an inviting public space like Riverfront Park is a key component of economic development, attracting visitors to Troy and enhancing river access for boaters to bring more people to our shops and restaurants downtown" in a press release.

The city has taken other steps to improve riverfront access to the Hudson, including the construction of the Madison Street Fishing Pier. The pier was funded by a grant from the New York Department of State Division of Coastal Resources and an adjacent kayak launch is expected to be built before the end of the year.



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