Albany club in Supreme Ct for tear down

   A move by the venerable Fort Orange Club in Albany to demolish two downtown buildings to make way for more parking spaces will be the target of a Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday.

   A Supreme Court judge will listen to both sides of the case in which the Fort Orange Club wants the City of Albany and the City's Building Commissioner to explain why the private club should not be allowed to tear down the buildings at 118-120 Washington Avenue.  The Fort Orange Club wants to create additional parking spaces next to its imposing  Victorian brick structure which is located just one block west of the State Capitol.

   The Historic Albany Foundation has been fighting the club's efforts and has been attempting to get that area included in an historical designated district that would protect the buildings.

  More than 20 years ago The Fort Orange Club was successful in getting permission to demolish a rare Arts and Crafts structure to make way for parking spaces.

  The Supreme Court hearing on this latest effort takes place Tuesday at 2:00pm in the State Supreme Court chamber of the Old Albany County Courthouse.