Thursday 12:10 p.m. Radisson Hotel Vol. 85 No 21 124 Members November is Rotary Foundation

Month!

NEXT WEEK

Dec 05 Bob Raj Seniors Helping Seniors

Bob is an entrepreneur who is transitioning from working for Corning Inc. to running the SHS business. He has a Ph.D. in Engineering. He is also the chairman of the investment committee in the Parks Church. Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care matches seniors who want to help with seniors who need the help. This peer-to-peer assistance allows seniors in need to receive care from someone whom they can trust and relate. At the same time, seniors who want to help are able to remain active in their community and often form strong relationship with the seniors they are caring for.

COMING UP

Dec 19 Annual Holiday Party THANKSGIVING WEEK JOINT

MEETING of the Corning Area Service Clubs

This week’s meeting was hosted by the Kiwanis Club - Joyce Nelson presided.

Salvation Army Major Wittenberg gave the invocation. Jim Hudson accompanied the singing of America.

GUESTS

Dick Pope introduced Winnie Peer, and her daughter, Susan Scheu.

George Welch hosted Joe Dunning.

Eileen Bell brought her husband Paul. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Andy Taylor, on behalf of Pres. Michele thanked Rotarians who worked to make last Saturday's International Dinner a success. A great time was had by all and funds were raised for relief in the Philippines and other good causes.

Bill Boland wants Rotarians to sign up on-line for the Annual Holiday Party, Dec 11th at 5:30 pm. PROGRAM

Joyce Nelson introduced Tom Tranter by telling us that he needed no introduction.

Tom took us back 30 years, to when Reagan was President and Jamie Houghton was the new President of Corning. In 1983, Corning Enterprises was born. In his talk, Tom aimed to

Kiwanis President Joyce Nelson and guest Winnie Peer

Journey West entertained diners last Saturday

cover mainly projects that have come to completion in 2013, and give a preview of things still in the pipeline.

The biggest project completed has been the I-99 corridor, where $235 MM has been spent over 10 years. Almost as long-lived have been the Transportation center, and the Centerway Bridge Renovation. The new Fallbrook Park is a brownfield site renovation, and includes a half- mile walking track and 2 acres of additional parking for the City. On Market St, the Centerway Commerce building, now owned by George Welch, has been a substantial project, as has the Van Heusen Building, which is almost finished. At least four additional projects are under way, and more are in the planning stage. Since 2002, 102 new upper floor apartments will have been created by next year. These are proving to be very popular with young professionals coming into the area.

The school reorganization, bringing the combined High School into the City will have a major impact on the economy. Conversion of the two middle schools into apartments will increase the tax base of the city, as will the projected future construction of housing units on the Hospital site.

In response to a question from Dick Pope, Tom conceded that this additional housing could reduce demand for apartments on Market St. Off Market St, the redevelopment of the Harley-Davidson building into Offices for Arbor Housing, the CMoG expansion, and construction of a new 5-story Hotel, the Inn at Corning, on the site of the Days Inn and the Crystal City Bakery will transform the Northside. The Patterson Bridge reconstruction has been fortuitous, in spite of the added congestion. Apparently it was in such bad shape that the DOT accelerated the project by 5 years. The contract for the job came in 12% below the estimate, at $19.4MM and the Contractor has a $10,000/day penalty clause starting on Memorial day 2014, if the bridge is not open. Tom acknowledged help provided by Bill Boland when some on the Common Council dragged their feet on approving this project.

In order to continue growth in the area, jobs are the most important need, and Tom cited the Diesel Plant expansion in Erwin, and the current proposal for the Ceramics Innovation Corridor (Incubator) to be named one of five "Innovation Hotspots" by Governor Cuomo in 2014. In answer to a question by Tony Spycher, Tom expanded on the new Hospital. The hospital will have 800 parking places, compared to 250 at the present Hospital. There will eventually be a Medical Arts building on the site. Corning Inc. has purchased a plot of land adjacent to the hospital as a buffer, and will create a park. Much of the land was a gravel pit, so the park will have a lake. Ted Marks asked about the project proposed for Watkins Glen. The Village is under a consent order to relocate and upgrade it's sewage treatment plant, which is presently on the waterfront.

Our Speaker,

Tom Tranter

The Combined Clubs

A new plant will be constructed jointly with Montour Falls, away from the lake. This will release a large swath of waterfront real estate. Development plans, including another hotel are being prepared. At the same time some privately funded development is coming together around the West shore of the lake, making this program transformative for Watkins Glen. photographs - Dick Perry DMP