Black-owned company buys, rehabs another rundown Schenectady-owned property | The Daily Gazette
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SCHENECTADY – A Black, family-owned business that has taken on neglected, city-owned properties was feted by city officials Wednesday for its work transforming a run-down former church into a gleaming two-family apartment building in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood.
Led by Pamela Swanigan, AIK Property Group bought 1073 Howard St. as part of a cluster of purchases from the city. It gutted, rehabbed and transformed the former church into a pair of three-bedroom apartments with open floor plans and oversized windows.
It was the second time city officials saluted AIK Property Group for giving a new beginning to a neighborhood eyesore. The previous ceremony occurred in September 2019, when AIK Property Group renovated 3330 Balltown Road through the same HOMES (Homeownership Made Easy in Schenectady) Initiative.
Racial issues raised during Rotterdam public hearing on home short-term rentals | The Daily Gazette
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ROTTERDAM – Claims of racism were aired during a public hearing held Wednesday to discuss whether the town should place a moratorium on short-term rentals like Airbnbs.
The town is considering the moratorium while it studies possible rules for short-term rentals. The moratorium would also allow the town to discuss the impact of short-term rentals in the town’s comprehensive plan, which is currently being worked on. If passed, anyone violating the moratorium could face a fine and/ or jail time.
“The guests who rent our Airbnbs are 80% here to visit other Rotterdam or local family members or attend events like weddings, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays, spending their holidays and more,” said Glenn Schworm, an owner of Signature Home Buyers, which operates six rentals in Rotterdam. “The other 20% are people traveling here to work in the area.”
Airbnb owners frustrated with Rotterdam, will fight moratorium if approved | The Daily Gazette
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The town of Rotterdam is entertaining the idea of setting a moratorium on short-term rentals. However, the owners of some Airbnb properties here say the move would infringe on their rights as property owners and business owners.
“We’re concerned about the government overreach,” said Glenn Schworm, who owns six short-term rentals in Rotterdam with his wife Amber. “This is a property; we’re not breaking any laws. Matter of fact, we checked, there’s no laws being broken and there’s no code violations being broken.”