Downtown progress and leftover tensions from a teacher’s strike were making news around Oneonta in November 1974.
The site of the present-day Marx Hotel on Market Street was a center of attention 50 years ago this month, as The Daily Star of Nov. 12 reported, “A major store has agreed to locate in downtown Oneonta’s urban renewal project, it was revealed last night.
“However, Urban Renewal Director David Cooper and URA Chairman Mayor James Lettis declined to name the store. Each said the name will be made public in about 30 days.
“The new store will be a part of a shopping mall extending from Sisson’s Store to Sears,” or from near today’s Tino’s to the Ruffino building on the south side of Main Street. “Urban Renewal officials said it will be about 80,000 to 90,000 square feet.
“A second smaller store will also be located in the area, they said, but they also declined to name that store in addition, between 45,000 and 60,000 square feet will be available for rent of other businesses. The mall will face Main Street and will have a lower level in the rear.”
While J.C. Penney’s was eventually mentioned as the developer of this large store, nothing ever came of it, or the mall in general.
In the early 1970s, several buildings on Main and Broad streets were demolished to make way for this mall project. There were more buildings remaining, and still open in 1974, but were targets for eventual destruction.
As The Star of Nov. 22 reported, “Establishments along Broad and Main streets that were scheduled to receive their 90-day eviction notices soon have been granted reprieve.
“Urban renewal officials said yesterday that they have determined that the buildings do not have to be vacated until July 1, 1975.”
A variety of businesses were once found on Broad Street, including several drinking establishments for railroad workers and college students. A small number remained, as several had moved to a new location on the previously underused Water Street, or Main Street. One recently opened night club was known as Grandma’s, the store we know today as the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Grandma’s was known for hosting regional and nationally-known bands.
Elsewhere in downtown Oneonta, The Star of Nov. 26 informed readers, “A proposal to add a wing to the present City Hall…is the latest idea being studied by the Capital Budget and Planning Commission in an attempt to alleviate the space crunch facing the city.” City Hall was then found at 242 Main St.
“Alderman Helen Baldo proposed last night that a two-story addition be constructed on the south of the present city hall as an alternative to the proposed renovation of the old post office building for city administrative office.” The post office is the present City Hall at 258 Main St., which finally opened in 1980.
There was renewed unrest in the Oneonta City School District, following a teacher’s strike in October. The teachers were given a raise in their annual income, but it apparently came with budgetary consequences.
Star readers of Nov. 1 found out, “Angry teachers in the Oneonta school system are considering a number of actions they could take if the Board of Education goes ahead with its plan to lay off teachers in the district.”
Teachers and others in the city aired their protests, and according to The Star of Nov. 13, “There will be no personnel cuts in the Oneonta School District for the remainder of the school year.
“The decision was made at a sometimes stormy meeting of the Board of Education last night attended by an estimated 800 persons who were packed into the auditorium of the Junior High School,” then found on Academy Street. “Observers said it was the largest crowd to attend a meeting of any governmental agency in Oneonta during the past twenty years.
“Upon the recommendation of School Superintendent Dr. Frederick G. Bardsley, the board voted to continue using the present school budget ‘with such economies as can be developed until April 1.’”
This weekend, TV is first viewed in Sidney in 1949.