Amy Collins is the Director of Tourism and Business Development, and Interim Recreation Superintendent for the City of Glens Falls. This Glens Falls native feels very fortunate to live and work now in her hometown!

Amy graduated from St. Lawrence University, and initially moved to Washington, D.C. When she returned to New York, she first lived in New Paltz, where she worked for Governor Pataki and was on the Consumer Protection Board for 12 years. The Collins family – husband Jeffrey Collins, and two children, 22-year-old Maggie and 19-year-old Ian – returned to Glens Falls to provide a quality of life for their children, and to be near grandparents and extended family. “We knew the value of growing up in the area as both of us enjoyed being raised in Glens Falls and wanted the same for our children,” Amy said.

The business of tourism and recreation are intertwined. Amy has been the City of Glens Falls Director of Tourism and Business development since 2011. When Mayor Bill Collins (no relation) took office, he asked her to assist with the recreation department. Recreation tourism is a huge industry in the city; Glens Falls has become a destination for all kinds of sports and recreation! The Cool Insuring Arena just hosted the NYSPHSAA Basketball Championship, which brought an estimated 20-million tourist dollars over the three day event. “Youth sports bring families to stay in our hotels with the teams, and the families eat at restaurants. That’s all part of tourism. And, these local venues are for residents and tourists alike. Tourism helps improve the quality of life for the local residents. It’s important to invest in recreation tourism,” Mayor Collins said.

Currently, the City of Glens Falls Recreation Department is part of a coalition with Mayor Collins, the City’s Recreation Commission, and the City Council’s Recreation Committee to reconstruct the athletic court complexes throughout the city. The athletic court complexes are located at the Montcalm Street Park, Murray Street Park, and the Sagamore Street Park. The East Field Court Complex began its reconstruction in the fall, and will be completed this spring. The funding for these park projects is through The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); ARPA funding provides a unique opportunity for state and local governments to make strategic investments in long-lived assets, rebuild reserves to enhance financial stability, and cover temporary operating shortfall until economic and operating conditions normalize. 

Amy has supported Glens Falls parks throughout her life – she served on the Candall Park Beautification Committee for 15 years prior to taking on the responsibilities of the Recreation Department. One example of the city’s hard work is the Crandall Park Court Complex: this complex holds several pickleball courts, tennis courts, and basketball courts, and also has a seating area where people can socialize while waiting for a court or taking a break from playing. To complete this project, the city was helped by private citizens… This private/public partnership had set the tone for a strong continued effort to improve parks and recreation areas. There have also been other additions to Crandall Park – a splash pad was recently added at the playground area, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course. 

The City of Glens Falls has a wide array of special events that support both recreation and tourism: “Much of the business of tourism is about fun and relaxation, but it still is business. We now have more hotel options and more restaurant options than we had even five or six years ago… The streetscape has changed and improved. We want a strong retail presence, arts presence and hospitality presence, we have a lot of local talent and we want to showcase that… I’m the middle of five children and I am always referring to ‘the group hug’, making everyone in the city feel included is important. For the city to continue being successful, we need to coordinate and collaborate. We are better together,” Amy said.

Amy Collins is certainly busy, but she has wonderful support staff and colleagues that make her job easier – her assistant in the Recreation Department is Yvonne Catallo, who has been with the department for five years. “She has provided a wonderful service to the community, and her personal touches and attention to detail have been invaluable.” Amy said.

The Glens Falls Recreation Department is currently hiring staff for summer camp counselors, and hiring lifeguards for the swim areas at Haviland Cove and the East Field Pool. If you are interested in a seasonal position with the recreation department, please call (518) 615-0446; or for more information about the recreation department or tourism, visit cityofglensfalls.com.

Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC, in accordance with The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), will be holding public information meetings on Tuesday March 28th, 2023, and Wednesday March 29th, 2023. These public information meetings are for residents and business owners who live and work in the cities of Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, and Fort Edward, and will be held at 214 Main Street in Hudson Falls. On Tuesday, March 28th, the meeting will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Wednesday, March 29th, the meeting will be from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. There is also the options of participating in these meetings remotely, via Zoom and by phone.

The purpose of these meetings is to inform the public about the project overview, scope of work, community impacts, background, project schedule, and proposed mitigation measures, with a question-answer period.  The proposed project is to construct and operate a carbon fertilizer manufacturing facility on 5.89 acres of land within the Town of Moreau Industrial Park.

 “The public information meetings being held on March 28^th and 29^th in Hudson Falls are for residents and business owners that live and work within the City of Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Fort Edward, within two miles of our proposed project site, and within what the NYSDEC defines as ‘disadvantaged’ and/or ‘environmental justice’ zones.  NYSDEC requires that we provide a project overview that outlines potential impacts and impact mitigation measures with this targeted audience, and to solicit their comments/questions. We have two primary goals for these meetings. First, share up-to-date project information and address questions or concerns from the community. Secondly, achieve permit ‘application completeness’ so that the DEC can proceed with their 30-day public comment period, and ultimately render a decision on our permit applications,” CEO Ray Apy said.

Saratoga Biochar LLC has received ample and vocal pushback from members of the Moreau community regarding the potential environmental impact of the project. Although the Town of Moreau approved the plan, the community group “Not Moreau” has been vocal regarding supposed risks of increased noise pollution, added truck traffic, and the potential environmental impact of the facility. The community of Moreau has been affected by industrial waste in the past -some area manufacturers used property in Moreau to dump industrial waste from 1958 to 1968, which resulted in contaminated soil, surface water, and groundwater. The groundwater at that site still exceeds federal cleanup levels for several chemicals, but there are no exposure pathways that could result in unacceptable risks to the public. According to the EPA, approximately 215-million gallons of contaminated water is treated per year. This treatment is expected to continue for more than 200 years.

This contamination occurred prior to the establishment of the NYSDEC in 1970. The mission of the NYSDEC is to conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment, and to prevent, abate, and control water, land, and air pollution; in order to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state, and their overall economic and social wellbeing.

The waste management issue is evolving in the State of New York. The NYSDEC has recently announced draft regulations regarding New York State’s waste management and climate goals – on Thursday, March 16th, NYSDEC released the draft solid waste management plan. This plan includes recommendations to prevent landfilling to help meet New York’s climate goals: “Solid waste is the fourth-largest contributor to climate-altering greenhouse gasses, and New York’s efforts to reduce landfill waste is critical to help meet the State’s ambitious climate goals,” Commissioner Basil Seggos said.

Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC was established to build, own, and operate a carbon fertilizer manufacturing facility. This facility would help to keep solid waste out of landfills. Saratoga Biochar Solutions aligns with the NYSDEC recommendations and goals, as New York State plans to reduce the climate impact of solid waste and provides direction for New York’s waste reduction, reuse, recycling, collection, transportation, and disposal investments, policies, and practices over the next decade. The release of the draft plan is a milestone in the history of the State’s ongoing efforts to ensure New York is at the forefront of rethinking waste.

Amtrak’s Adirondack line, which was halted north of Albany during the pandemic, will return to service on April 3, 2023. This line runs between New York City and Montreal. This service travels along one of the most scenic train lines. “From Plattsburgh to Poughkeepsie and into Penn Station, the Adirondack Line runs through some of the most beautiful parts of Upstate New York,” said Senator Chuck Schumer in a press release.

In 2019, the Amtrak Adirondack line served 117,490 customers, which was a 5.1% increase from the previous year; and in 2022, 526 new hires were added. Amtrak is now actively hiring and training both onboard and mechanical employees in New York City and Albany. To help attract talent, Amtrak is offering a $25,000 sign-on bonus for all mechanical roles. All of the current and new employees have to be qualified under Federal Railroad Administration requirements. To make sure that return to service is both safe and efficient, Amtrak has been working with Canadian Pacific and Canadian National.

U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, have been working with Amtrak to re-establish this service. State Senator Dan Stec of Queensbury said in a statement: “The Adirondack Line is a crucial resource for the North Country. It’s a transportation service for our residents and with its ability to connect visitors from Canada… a major economic driver. Its closure had a major impact on our ability to move forward from the pandemic and get our economy back on track.”  

This line will help to increase tourism and fulfill the transportation needs of many in the area, including students who attend SUNY Plattsburgh and Clinton Community College. It is also another important step in normalizing cross-border travel since the pandemic.  

Stations served by the Amtrak Adirondack Line:

South Street – which is locally known as “the street of dreams” – is primed for the next investment of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) that was awarded to Glens Falls in 2017… The City of Glens Falls could seek bids for construction of the 6,000 square-foot proposed market center as early as this spring!

The South Street area of Glens Falls was identified as an area in need of revitalization due to the high vacancy rates and dilapidated condition of the buildings. Through the DRI, the City of Glens Falls has worked to identify projects that have public benefit, stakeholder support, and are ready to be implemented. These DRI projects are implemented to catalyze investment in the area. 

The empty lot where the mixed event space will be built is across the street from another new business that’s establishing itself… Glens Falls Bagels owner Kerry Smith wasn’t concerned about the empty storefronts that surround his business when he opened – when he chose the location, he was aware that the city would be investing in South Street.  

Smith opened Glens Falls Bagels in mid-November, but has already signed a new lease. The property at 58 through 66 South Street was recently purchased by business partners Gregg Singer and Larissa Ovit. Singer and Ovit are excited to be investing in South Street, and have been called “trendsetters”.  Their investment is across the street from the mixed use event space, which is expected to bring people to the farmers’ market, community events, and concerts. Singer and Ovit plan to open a bar called the “Golden Monkey Lounge” and renovate the second level into four one-bedroom apartments.

In Glens Falls, Jacob Laing purchased 21 Ridge Street last July with the idea of creating an Airbnb in mind. This location has a dining space for roughly 50 people, and two apartments above. This spot has been the home to popular local eateries including Fiddleheads and more recently Birch Bark Eatery, which closed in February… Laing plans on offering the two upstairs apartments and the eatery as one Airbnb location.

The idea behind Airbnb was developed in San Francisco by roommates Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia in 2007 – this concept of short-term living quarters with breakfast became an alternative for travelers who were unable to book a hotel due to a saturated market. The concept took off, and has since become a household name. 

Laing’s vision is to use this location as an Airbnb rental location with an added twist: guests would have access to the apartments above and the dining space, as a gathering spot for families hosting special events… He sees a need for guests to have a private event space available and included in their booking. Being able to combine the lodging and the event aspect of booking will make planning easier and more seamless for guests traveling to the area.

The location as a restaurant does have its challenges… The large front window – which is usually sought after by restaurateurs – is blocked off by an interior wall, which stops passersby from peering in and seeing the potential dining experience… Using the location as a private event space instead mitigates that challenge.

Laing hopes to have renovations completed by March, and would like to keep the property affordable for his future guests.