Business View Magazine | August 2019

317 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE AUGUST 2019 Most everything in Amsterdam’s project agenda has already been vetted. A state-mandated consultant worked with the city and state to create a whole plan moving forward, so that all possible projects are ready to go - timeline schedules, budgets, narratives, etc. Once the state says what projects they’ve determined can move forward, the city just has to go through a normal grant process, paperwork, and going out to bid. “So we’re all ready to go. All the back-end work has been completed. Now, we just need to wait, to hire a firm, if that’s what the project requires, in order to start this two-year process,” concludes Bearcroft. The City of Amsterdam is fortunate to have well over 25 green spaces and public parks for the residents and visitors to enjoy. These parks not only contribute to the lifestyle of the residents but also distinguish Amsterdam from other communities in the area. “Amsterdam has some real gems,” beams Villa. “Shuttleworth Park, which annually has over 80,000 visitors, is home to the Amsterdam Mohawks baseball team, as well as home venue for Union College, and is a fully functional park, one of many wonderful parks. Our 1938 Robert Trent Jones-designed 18-hole Municipal Golf Course, right in the city, I would claim to be the best public golf course in this area. We have water on both sides of our city that is usable, both south and north. There’s our Riverlink Park and MVGO pedestrian bridge. Hopefully, through the DRI, we can connect our south side to our Main Street, one of our main goals, so we’d have not only this walkable downtown but be able to cross the pedestrian bridge to get to the other side and enjoy the amenities of the south side.” “Amsterdam is full of history,” Villa adds. “We are gifted with some private investors who have rehabbed Amsterdam Castle, putting in some $4 million to renovate and keep it historical. Now a hotel, it’s a former Army National Guard Armory dating back to 1877 - the only armory that has transferred to private hands.” Adds Bearcroft, “Because we’re a smaller city, AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK