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I think the Electric City shines brighter than ever.
So many agencies, businesses and individuals are to credit for this resurgence, and that is the brilliance of it.
Attending an event, anywhere across the city and even to the far reaches of our geographically small county, I marvel at how it takes a team and collaboration to get community events done for the enjoyment of tens of thousands of residents and visitors alike.
Whether that is the Capital Region's biggest block party on SummerNight, or any of the concerts during this 35th anniversary of the Music Haven Concert series, or a concert series at Shafer Park in Duanesburg, the sense of community pride permeates the event.
Combine those events with the natural areas that inspire awe and wonder, as well as increasing business, and it's a winning formula.
The Mohawk River, of course, played a key role in our region's colonial history, and that continues today. We bring our kayaks and can paddle along the waterway, often wondering about what it was like 200 years ago when the Erie Canal - which played a critical role in commerce, bringing agricultural products east and manufactured goods to the west - began.
Double Duty Everywhere
I see this kind of double duty everywhere I look and in the hobbies I enjoy.
The Schenectady Greenmarket each Sunday draws thousands downtown. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., whether it is outside of City Hall for about seven months or the five months it moves inside Proctors, you'll find more than fresh local fruits and veggies; you'll find a community of vendors, shoppers, musicians and friends.
Perhaps, it's the best example, I think, where Schenectady is strongest when all aspects work together.
Even in the failures, it seems that Schenectady can find a way to remove the tarnish.
The Schenectady Locomotive Works gave birth to the American Locomotive Company (ALCO), and until 1969 the employer helped grow the city and impacted the entire nation's industry based on transportation.
After ALCO went out of business in 1969, that 60 acres of prime waterfront was largely left to deteriorate until 2014, when plans for Mohawk Harbor and the Rivers Casino & Resort were unveiled.
Waterfront Development
The impact of the development along the waterfront, already dramatic, continues.
Within months, we'll get to enjoy a years-long project to improve the connectivity between Mohawk Harbor and downtown Schenectady. The ALCO Heritage Trail extension and the ALCO Heritage Tunnel project will improve pedestrian access and create a permanent gallery in the ALCO tunnel - which runs under the rail line along Erie Boulevard and North Jay Street, for the Schenectady + Me Project.
Closed for years, this tunnel will feature new lighting to shine a spotlight on the 800 pieces of public art people created to celebrate aspects that they love about Schenectady.
I have left much out of this essay about Schenectady's resurgence. Other voices have been invited to chime in, and they will offer additional views.
We have a lot to celebrate in the coming 10 weeks.
Business Schenectady 2025: Past, present, future series The Daily Gazette Local News Schenectady 2025, Roger Hull: Schenectady's rebirth began with phone call By Roger Hull For The Daily Gazette Local News Schenectady 2025: Some who shaped, owners, developers, activists, neighbors By Shenandoah Briere Local News Schenectady 2025, Philip Morris: Proctors and Schenectady -- swinging for the fences By Philip Morris Local News Schenectady 2025: State Street revitalization keys two decades of development Ted Remsnyder