Jul 01, 2008 — Governor David Paterson, says the lack of progress at the site of the former World Trade Center Towers is "unacceptable" and that he intends to fix the problem. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 06, 2008 — The Olympic Regional Development Authority says bids for construction of the new Conference Center at Lake Placid exceeded the project's budget by more than $13 million. That means the project, which was already behind schedule, has been put on hold until the Olympic Authority can find ways to cut costs or secure more funding. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Dec 22, 2006 — North Country Public Radio is looking at a boom of large-scale real estate developments across the region in an ongoing series. In the Watertown area, homebuilders and rehabbers have been trying to catch up with a population explosion driven by the Army's expansion at Fort Drum. The military's expecting roughly 10,000 people -- soldiers plus families -- to relocate to the region as the 10th Mt. Division grows. Kevin Jordan is with the Development Authority of the North Country, which is overseeing a housing plan for the region. He told David Sommerstein the real crunch will come in the spring, when more than 6,000 Fort Drum soldiers return from a year in Afghanistan.  Go to full article

Jun 14, 2006 — A $734,000 federal grant is supposed to provide another boost to Watertown's tight housing market. Congressman John McHugh and Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton secured the funds. As David Sommerstein reports, progress is slow but steady on building enough homes to absorb Fort Drum's exploding population.  Go to full article

Nov 22, 2005 — The expansion of Fort Drum near Watertown continues at a frenetic pace. By the spring, some 6,000 soldiers and their families will have relocated to northern New York in the last year and a half. The Army is building new housing on base. Private developers have plans for large subdivisions in nearby LeRay and Pamelia. But demand far exceeds supply as far as 30 miles from the base. David Sommerstein reports on the housing crunch.  Go to full article

Aug 19, 2005 — Governor Pataki was in Watertown yesterday to deliver aid for the region's housing shortage. He announced $7 million in state grants to renovate old housing and build new units in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. As David Sommerstein reports, a 55% increase in the number of soldiers at Fort Drum is causing the squeeze.  Go to full article

Dec 30, 2004 — Philadelphia developer Michael Foxman hopes to reinvent the Big Tupper ski area in Tupper Lake. His massive subdivision would affect more than six thousand acres, adding roughly 800 condos and high-end vacation homes. Local government leaders have hailed the plan as a fresh start for the village. But Foxman has faced tough questions recently, following the revelation that he was indicted in the 1990s as part of a Federal savings and loan fraud case. Foxman declined to discuss the S&L case in detail on tape, describing it as "ancient history". He did agree to talk with Brian Mann about his background and his plans for Tupper Lake. Foxman refused to name the investors who are backing the project, but he added new details about the plan which is now being reviewed by the Adirondack Park Agency.  Go to full article

Aug 07, 2003 — The Mohawk ironworkers are famous for building America's tallest skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center towers. But less is known about how the ironworker trade fits into the cultural fabric of several Iroquois Nations. This fall Turning Stone casino in central New York will host an ironworker festival and competition to spotlight the skills and tradition of native high steelworkers. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jun 27, 2003 — Tomorrow the affordable housing group Habitat For Humanity of Raquette Valley holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3pm in Rensselaer Falls in St. Lawrence County. The house is a first for the Habitat chapter because in addition to being affordable, it?s also energy efficient. Builders designed a home that uses 30% less energy than a conventional one. The organizers want the project to be a template for building more low-cost, energy-efficient housing. David Sommerstein visited the construction site last winter. He spoke with the designer and volunteers on the project and has this audio montage.

Call Community Energy Services at (315)379-9466 for more information about the energy efficient model.  Go to full article

Dec 19, 2001 — The EPA is taking on a major source of uncontrolled pollution: emissions from farm and construction equipment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Julie Halpert looks at the challenges the EPA faces in this far-reaching regulatory effort.  Go to full article