To the Editor:
The issue of the proposal from Pyramid development for apartments and a Costco on the properties around Crossgates Mall is controversial. There was a legal challenge made by town residents that resulted in the SEQR [State Environmental Quality Review] approval for Pyramid’s project being invalidated. That decision was appealed by the town, which resulted in the previous court decision that had invalidated the SEQR approval being overruled.

What is the town’s message to the residents of the town who feel Pyramid, and the mall operation, are a net negative for Guilderland? Consider the constant tax assessment challenges that Pyramid makes that drain town resources for legal responses, and the stress that the mall puts on traffic and town services, and the act of deceit of cutting trees on the proposed site before any approvals had been granted, and that the proposed development will destroy more of the Pine Bush habitat, and that brick-and-mortar big-box stores, like Costco, are in decline.

Pyramid has not been a good neighbor in Guilderland or in the other communities where it has developments. Why is the town paving the way for Pyramid to move this project forward? Why is the town investing in big-box retail at a time when that approach is faltering?

Doug Smith

McKownville