Albany Common Coucil Tries To Save Bath #2

By Dave Lucas

Albany, NY – Bathhouses were built in American cities through the late 19th and early 20th century to improve hygiene in poor immigrant neighborhoods. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports an Albany councilman is among those hoping to save a bit of history by keeping Bath Number Two open.

When most people in the city of Albany hear talk about Public Bath Number Two, they think of an antiquated structure from a bygone era - a place where neighborhood residents living in cold water flats would go when they wanted to wash up. Today Bath Number Two is a community meeting place and recreational facility offering year-round swimming, the last remaining indoor public pool in the city. The public bath is slated for closure under Mayor Jerry Jennings' 165-million dollar 2011 budget proposal.

Supporters of the pool have fought tooth and nail to keep the 110-year old South End building open. They have a friend in 11th ward city Councilman Anton Konev, who is optimistic after the city council voted during last night's budget meeting to save the bathhouse.

Konev says the City Recreation Department would be responsible for applying for such grants - he's also like to see the Bathhouse renamed to better identify it as a community center. The budget amendment funds bath house's $216-thousand dollar operating cost by drawing from Albany's contingency funding, money normally used to cover unexpected expenses.

Tuesday morning Mayor Jennings told the Times Union newspaper he would veto any council spending plan that included the pool. But by afternoon, city spokesman Bob Van Amburgh seemed to be signaling that a Jennings veto may not necessarily be carved in stone. Van Amburgh said the Mayor will take a closer look at the council's recommendations.

During his entire 17 years as Mayor, Jennings has never executed a budget veto, which gives Councilman Konev and other Bath supporters a glimmer of hope and a plan of action. The facility is in need an estimated 95-thousand dollarsworth of immediate improvements, as well as about $1 million to fix the heating and ventilation systems, ceiling leaks, and showers.