Oct. 6--SCHENECTADY -- Five years ago, Mayor Brian U. Stratton made a campaign promise that he would reconstruct Erie Boulevard, now a wide sea of asphalt, into a tree-lined, high tech gateway to the Electric City

But with less than a year before start of work on the $14 million project, business owners along the historic road that traces the original Erie Canal -- are mounting a revolt to get the project stopped.

Concerned Business People of Erie Boulevard, a group consisting of about 30 business owners who run everything from delis to electrical stores, say they fear the street's redesign is meant push them out in favor of suburban-looking office parks.

Stratton denies the claim, saying there's room for everyone in his vision. But business owners don't buy it. Many have been attending City Council meetings, have printed protest T-shirts, have hired an attorney and requested to look at thousands of project documents.

Thus far, the group has gotten a September public meeting on the project's design postponed indefinitely while the city attempts to address the group's concerns.

"Needless to say, we'd like to stop the project dead," said Sarah Michener, an organizer of the group and 28-year owner of Annabel's, a hair salon on nearby South Ferry Street. "We can't tell you what would ultimately make us happy. But every time we ask a question, we have more questions."

Stratton successfully got more than $13 million pledged in federal and state money for the project back in 2005. Another roughly $700,000 must come from the city. The redevelopment involves tearing up Erie Boulevard from Interstate 890 to Liberty Street, placing a tree-lined median down the middle of the roadway and building a roundabout at South Ferry Street so cars can access either side of Erie Boulevard west of State Street.

The changes will not only make the excessively wide portion west of State Street more attractive, Stratton said, it will slow down traffic and make pedestrian crossings safe.

The boulevard, which was the original route of the Erie Canal in the 1800s and later served as the main thoroughfare traveled by thousands of General Electric workers each day, has remained about six lanes wide at its widest, with the middle previously used as parking.

Business owners balked after the design was unveiled a year ago, convinced the median and roundabout system will keep customers from their doors, not to mention other concerns about canal artifacts buried under the pavement will be treated. They also want to know how aging sewer lines will be replaced and how $14 million can possibly cover today's escalating construction costs.

The sewer lines will be replaced and the city's designers, Clough Harbour and Associates, have worked on an archeological study as part of the design phase.

Dave Jukins, deputy director for the Capital District Transportation Committee, said projections indicate the reconstruction can still be paid with $14 million. Jukins said there might be a price adjustment done by year's end because of increasing steel prices.

Stratton said he wants to work with business owners, recently adding another turnaround at Interstate 890 to offer more opportunities to reach the other side of the street. But he's undeterred in his vision otherwise.

"It will be a beautiful place to ride your bike and walk. It is possible to look back in three years and say, 'This is wonderful,'" Stratton said. "Change is good."

Lauren Stanforth can be reached at 454-5697 or by email at lstanforth@timesunion.com

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