Troy Savings Bank Music Hall plans $14 million expansion

"Plans submitted to the Planning Commission call for the creation of the Music Hub, the upgrades to the HVAC system to permit summertime performances and remaking the parking lot across State Street from the music hall, which is located at 30 Second St.

The music hall’s plans call for making use of the closed banking space. Elbaum said the bank has been empty for about a decade.

“The Music Hub initiative of the project will involve the alteration of the bank floor, including annex spaces, to establish a flexible suite of rooms that will support performance, instruction and community events,” the application filed with the city states.

Plans also call for changing the plaza and entrance into the annex building from Second Street. There are also plans for a new marquee.

Changes would be made to the parking lot to add more parking spaces and improve the landscaping. Chrisner said the music hall is considering running power to the parking lot so it may be used for outdoor events..."

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/troy-music-hall-planning-major-expansion-19268515.php

in Troyby TroybyGas-Light

98%

2mo

ehjayded

2mo

Will they add better seating? No matter where I've sat in this place it's highly uncomfortable.

beebobopple

2mo

I think they are afraid to change the seats because the venue is considered to have perfect acoustics, but they don’t know exactly why.

oxfordsummer

2mo

I would think that the seats, being predominantly made of wood, act as part of the resonant structure that is the Music Hall and contribute toward the excellent acoustics.

ScrunchyButts

2mo

I think I recall that they redid a bunch of seating in the past, maybe 20 years ago? And they put a great deal of study and planning into not impacting the acoustics.

Regardless, it’s a world renowned performance space. Not a contemporary movie theater. If you can’t handle 90 minutes without a lazy boy maybe live performance is too much for you.

EDIT:

OK tall people, I hear you.

I was assuming, cynically, the complaints were just from people who want memory foam, a charging port and a cup holder for their big gulp.

I’m 5’10” and never have to consider leg room to that degree.

twitch1982

2mo

I just buy box seats whenever i go so i dont have to sit in the floor chairs.

cmaxby

2mo

This is the move if you’re a tall person

beebobopple

2mo

Honestly as a short person who can’t see shit at most concerts, I find it weirdly gratifying to hear about all these tall people struggles.

FrankiesaysNY

2mo

To me, it’s less about needing a lazy boy and more about being able to fit in the seat as a tall person. Some seats are kind of ok but some I literally have to sit sideways with my knees sticking into the seat next to me. I’m looking at you, top balcony.

oxfordsummer

2mo

I'm 6' 2" and I find that the seats behind the sound booth have enough leg room for me. Your view isn't blocked by the sound booth or the people working in it.

TheB3llamy

2mo

My boyfriend is 6'3 and was beyond uncomfortable with his legs mostly in the aisle for an entire performance. It has less to do with the laz boy and more to do with actually fitting people's bodies.

erhymer

2mo

Exactly! A tall person simply can’t fit!

TheB3llamy

2mo

I was thankful i had grabbed aisle seats. Idk what he would of done had i not. He was so uncomfortable i was ready to leave for him, but he stuck it out b/c it was my bday present.

We haven't even looked at anything coming here since.

erhymer

2mo

Us either. My husband is 6’7”. Even on the aisle it’s bad, so uncomfortable for tall people and you have to make sure it’s an aisle that’s on the correct side so they aren’t angled away from the stage.

ehjayded

2mo

yep, spouse is 6'1" and can't fit. I struggle at 5'8" (long legs).

sarrobo

2mo

yeah, I used to work there many moons ago. this is the reason - we used to tell people to bring a cushion.

ehjayded

2mo

I wish they still told people this, I definitely will do that next time.

oxfordsummer

2mo

I still wish they had the security guard who, before every performance, would come out and tell people the house rules and that if they wanted to go for a smoke or something of the sort they'd have to "Hit those streets at half time! That's it!"

I miss him.

IHeartTaylorSwift284

2mo

it was the Fire Marshal

IHeartTaylorSwift284

2mo

as a historic structure there are a lot of restrictions as to what they can and can't do to renovate. the seats are original so they are part of the historic fabric of the facility.

oxfordsummer

2mo

I'm amazed that they were able to plan a way to put in an HVAC system. I'm wondering where they'll put the vents and how much time it'll take to install. They have to be very careful when routing everything.

IHeartTaylorSwift284

2mo

it will be fascinating to see, is one of the most challenging historic preservation projects in the region. Major event for so many reasons.

beebobopple

2mo

It’s unclear from the article (at least to me) whether the HVAC work is in the “new” space or the main hall. I can’t see how they could do HVAC in the main venue without messing with the acoustics but I also have literally zero expertise in any related disciplines.

clairedelunex

2mo

It’ll be in the main hall so they can do year-round programming. There’s working AC in their office and bank units.

DannyBoy7783

2mo

Seats here are abysmal and a major factor in whether I go there for a show.

amosjeff26

Beman Park

2mo

I love the old fashioned nature of the hall, I hope the updates don't change the feel and blend nicely.

jletourneau

2mo

They’re only renovating the former bank level of the building, not the hall itself which is upstairs.

amosjeff26

Beman Park

2mo

I wager the HVAC upgrades could be very visible in the upstairs hall.

jletourneau

2mo

Given the lengths they’ve gone to in the past not to change anything about the hall (see all the complaints about the vintage seats in this thread), I have to imagine they’re going to be very careful not to screw it up now.

nopenotag4in

2mo

Disappointing they aren’t developing that parking lot next door. Even a garage with retail on the first floor would be an improvement.

tonypizzatime

2mo

Yeah and more affordable housing too! Maybe even a bar!

TroybyGas-Light

2mo

I didn't want to copy too much from the article due to copyright. I am pretty sure that the A/C is intended for the main hall and likely the former bank hall, if not already with A/C. It probably has an A/C system in the bank hall from the days when it was a working bank - up until the early 2000's. Don't think they would go without. There may be plans to update it with the installation of A/C in the main hall.

"Careful planning has been done to preserve the music hall’s acoustics, which are considered a treasure, and draw performers to the venue for the sake of recording their music. City Engineer Russ Reeves, who also is the city Planning Commission’s executive secretary, asked about the work being done to protect the acoustical nature of the hall.

Dash Chrisner of Architecture+, a firm based in Troy representing the music hall, said that an acoustical engineer has been hired and is evaluating the project. Each time a step is taken, the impact on the acoustics is considered to ensure the hall is protected from vibrations and sounds from the HVAC equipment and other changes, Chrisner said."

NotSoSpeedRuns

2mo

You don't have to worry about copyright law. People regularly copy-paste entire articles into Reddit comments. It's fine.

ReadyPlayerUno1

2mo

I hope the install more comfortable seats with a little more room!

TroybyGas-Light

2mo

The Music Hall, like all great buildings, went through its own growing pains. The review of the first night of performances found the acoustics to be less than perfect...https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=505216652826502&set=a.505211562827011

icepush

2mo

Good. The parking lot needs to be totally redone. Every time I've parked there it has been terrible because of the randomly placed railings in the middle and around the edge (Plus the guard station that never seems to have anyone in it).

rofopp

2mo

Wow, that sounds like a fuckin waste of money

polari826

-2

2mo

the parking sounds hopeful. while i'm not a patron whenever they have an event it's incredibly difficult to drive through just to access our apartment. it gets crazy chaotic. we already have parking elsewhere but it's rough just for my husband to drop me off with all our bags.

i really should see something there at some point since it's just across the street. i haven't been in there at all yet.

NoAcanthocephala3007

-8

2mo

It’ll be interesting to see which companies gets the labor contracts for these modifications. Upgrades to the HVAC system, parking lot construction, improved landscaping. 🤔 I wonder what role Carmella Mantello will have in bringing all of this together.

IHeartTaylorSwift284

2mo

i think its safe to say it will be the companies that bid on the project

NoAcanthocephala3007

-2

2mo

Open or no show bids?

beeswhax

2mo

The music hall and the bank have boards of directors who handle decision making. The music hall is a 501c3 like the arts center or capital roots. The city’s government has no say over how these nonprofits operate or how they would handle a capital project. Boards like these are packed with well-resources individuals, usually somewhat across the political spectrum. It’s more likely that Carmella would be sucking up to the board members as deep-pocketed donors or potential donors than that they would be beholden to her for anything

oxfordsummer

2mo

Also, I have no idea what they mean by "improved landscaping". Green space? Trees? Plants? The parking lot is entirely concrete. I'd imagine that they might remove the old drive through structure that was used for when the bank was in residence at the Music Hall. However, beyond that I have no idea.

LiveinTroyNY

2mo

The Music Hall (and Library and Harr Cluett Museum) all received ARPA funds toward HVAC improvements. Carmella and Sue Steele and former Mayor/Deputy Mayor were on that subcommittee that dispersed the funds. There's substantial asbestos remediation to do as well in the utility areas. The Music Hall is a National Historic Landmark and has to have state and federal oversight of the renovation plans. So no...it's not a contract going to someone's buddy--more likey a nationally known HVAC specialist. This is a major project that expands the Music Hall's ability to have summer performances and activates the vast majority of the space which was basically mothballed. It is a huge win for Troy.