Saturday, August 2, 2008

Background

Considerations for a new location for the HWFC:
  • Receiving area sub quality
  • Sales per square foot maxxed out
  • Inadequate parking
    – 47 spaces, oddly configured
    – 50 borrowed from Clearview on nights and weekends
  • Access extremely limited
A new space was found at 100 Watervliet Ave in Albany. The advantages of this new space are:
  • Corner site – easy access in and out
  • Concrete block construction lends to easy remodel/renovation
  • Some amenities: water, sewer, electrical, sprinkler system, air conditioning
  • More residences closer than our current location
  • Many compatible businesses, schools, and nonprofits within comfortable walking distance
  • Off the “miracle mile” yet close
  • Neighborhood Association supportive
  • Space for loading and unloading
    – Site currently has several interior and exterior loading areas
    – space for truck access on left side of building
  • Space for over 200 vehicles possible
  • Easy to reach from Central Avenue and Everett Road
  • Very close to I-90 Everett Road exit
  • Two busses stop out front
  • Two blocks from Central Avenue, the route with the highest ridership
  • Shape is ideal for a supermarket: Square is most desirable; Largest area of this building is 30,000 square feet. Part of it is partitioned for a rental, so around 27,000 sq ft remain. Our plan for a 20-28,000 sq. foot store would easily fit in this space.
  • Large enough for extras: flexible community room, demonstration kitchen, café, etc.

On Oct. 21, 2007, co-op members voted 189-13 to purchase property at 100 Watervliet Ave. in Albany as a future site for the Co-op. The closing was held on Oct. 31.

After a lively meeting on June 1, co-op members voted 123 to 11, with one abstention, to pursue a design for the new store that presumes building to suit on the 100 Watervliet Avenue site.