By: Steve Flamsich
WATERVLIET , N.Y. - The group that is trying to save
the former St. Patrick's Church from the wrecking ball held a candlelight vigil
on St. Patrick's Day.
Eileen Anderson, a co-chair of Citizens for St.
Patrick's, was among the approximately 30 people in attendance. For Anderson --
an English immigrant whose mother and grandmother were Irish -- the fight to
save the iconic building hits close to home.
"I can relate to roots," Anderson said. "I can
relate to heritage. I'm just sad that so many people don't appreciate
that."
Nigro Companies is planning to
knock down the former church, the rectory, and the school in order to build a
new Price Chopper supermarket on the property.
But where
Anderson and her fellow activists see the loss of one of the city's most visible
landmarks, others see a new 40,000-square-foot supermarket and chance for
economic development.
"Out with the old, in with the
new," Alan
Galuski, whose wife grew up a block from the former church, told FOX23 News.
"I can sympathize with them, but I'd say
you have to get on with things here now."
Citizens for St. Patrick's has endured
several legal setbacks. Its attorney was preparing to file papers in state
Supreme Court on Monday appealing the decision to grant a demolition permit to
Nigro. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the wrecking ball may hit as early as the
first week of April.
The attorney representing Nigro was not reachable for
comment Sunday. A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany did not
return a phone call.
NEWS10 ABC
