1000 Islands-What does the future hold.. (Rochester, Syracuse: real estate, property taxes, for sale)

[JiminCT]

I've spent a good chunk of my 40 years up there in the summer. Just wondering what people think is going to happen to the region. A couple of issues for potential discussion:

1) The taxes (particulary riverfront property owners) are going through the roof.

2) Is Alexandria Bay in decline mode or is there hope for this tourist town? I've noticed a considerable drop in nighlife during the summer months (particularly during the week.

3) If one looks at the MLS services...MANY well known businesses ar up for sale.
Is this a sign of something bad?

4) What will the area look like in 10 years given the tax and economy?


I see the tax situation as something that will drive many of the lower and middle class families out of the area. Outside of tourism there is nothing.

[mcmartian]

new york state's taxes are outrageous. alexandria bay is beautiful. but once you've seen the castle and look for soemthing else to do, it's boring, oh so boring.

[Sgoldie]

Interesting question, Jim.

It's the out-of-towners, I bet, who can afford waterfront/waterview property who are bearing the brunt of the taxes as the community itself is relatively poor. I feel sorry for business owners and those with family land if it's forcing them out.

It's very difficult to make it when your season is May/Jun/Jul/Aug (4 months)and your bills are Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr (8 months). I know, I did it for 15 years. You've got to be really good money manager with no unfortunate glitches to avoid a death blow. The amount of money you need to start a business makes it a risk made more tenuous by the realities stated above. Not a move businessmen from outside the area would consider prudent given other options.

I think the area will continue to limp along as it always has seeing that it has no other choice. Locals will continue to start businesses as their choices of employment are so limited. They may not be able to afford existing ones though.

Interesting the contrast between the Canadian side and ours. Both beautiful, but it's they're valued southern coast, and our northern outback.

PS- Was wondering if you've fished here in Oswego? Salmon as big as a person if you haven't. Lake charter boats and drift boat river spawning runs.

[Sgoldie]

Mcmartian, it's a water based community, a way of life. What you see in the little towns is only part of the story.

[JiminCT]

It seems like the only people that can afford a business in that area are the folks who have paid off their real estate and are using the tourist season to pay the property taxes and a little extra spending money. I know that the Alexandria Bay community is very protective of the limited "turf"....I have seem many outside businesses come in and go...and unfortunately it is often due to some innerworkings by the townspeople. Rumor and gossip are a bloodsport up there.

As far as activities...most people are up there to unwind. Fishing, hiking, biking, golf. Labatts and Yuengling are also popular..although these would not be considered sports. Kingston or Sackets are your main cultural options. There is also a casino in nearby Gannanoque.

As far as the region, I have fished down in Pulaski and Sandy Creek. Pulaski last fall for Chinooks (we hit the motherlode...). Sandy Creek in the spring for steelheads. Didnt go this year because of tax season... I am also planning to explore the Tug Hill area for some trout streams....apparently there are quite a few good spots. It is still one of the most spectacular regions in the country...and I think the remoteness of it will (in another slightly selfish way) keep it rustic. We are up near Kring Point...and this time of year I'm getting the "calling" back to the St. Lawrence. The Mohawks called it the "Great Spirit" of the river...many of us who spend a lot of time there know what that is (and its not a liquor spirit).

[bellafinzi]

Why has tourism in Alexandria Bay decline? Syracuse

In my opinion, the answer is simple. The Syracuse area economy collapsed in the mid-90s. I'd be willing to bet that a large percent of visitors to Alexandria Bay are from the Syracuse area. My family used to take summer trips up there all the time.

During the late 80s and early 90s the economy in the Syracuse area was still in expansion mode. People had disposable income. Then Carrier, Miller, GE, Crouse Hinds etc. shut down major plants in the area laying off thousands. Syracuse has never recovered since.

If the Syracuse area makes a comeback….we start attracting new residents like we did in the late 80s, only then do I see tourism taking off in Alexandria Bay again.....

[michellebelle]

The town has become very rundown looking. All there is to do in the town of Alex Bay is buy tshirts and other touristy stuff that is WAY over priced.
We love to go to the 1000 islands area in the summer and usually go to the castle every couple of years. Once again, that has gotten too pricey to do it every year. We go for the outdoors stuff you mentioned earlier. The swimming, boating, hiking, camping. The campgrounds along the seaway are wonderful, we really enjoyed ourselves at Cedar Point.
Bella I think you are only partial correct about Syracuse's declining population being a reason fro the decline. When we were in Alex Bay this summer we saw more intertnational tourists then American ones. Apparantley the castle has become an international draw. I wonder what Mr. Boldt would think if he knew that!

[JiminCT]

Mr. Boldt was from NYC..so i'm sure he would be thrilled that the region has had such a wide-range attaction.

Bellafinzi..i think you made a very good point. The bulk (although this is also changing) of the summer crowd that comes up to the 1000 Islands are from the nearby cities in NY state....Utica, Syracuse, Rochester. All of these towns are hemorraging middle-class jobs that would provide for folks to take a trip up north. I think there is some correlation to the decline in Alex Bay tourism from those crowds. I suspect the police-state of Alex Bay on weekends has spooked people away as well. Not to mention the huge Canadian contingent that has been rather put off by the border-nazis or the boat police that continually harass people.

I think there is also a lack of strategy from the locals as well...considering that the tourist trade in Alexa Bay is run by a few families (for the most part). They also control the town. Until they die off or leave....

[michellebelle]

Originally Posted by JiminCT

Mr. Boldt was from NYC..so i'm sure he would be thrilled that the region has had such a wide-range attaction.

Bellafinzi..i think you made a very good point. The bulk (although this is also changing) of the summer crowd that comes up to the 1000 Islands are from the nearby cities in NY state....Utica, Syracuse, Rochester. All of these towns are hemorraging middle-class jobs that would provide for folks to take a trip up north. I think there is some correlation to the decline in Alex Bay tourism from those crowds. I suspect the police-state of Alex Bay on weekends has spooked people away as well. Not to mention the huge Canadian contingent that has been rather put off by the border-nazis or the boat police that continually harass people.

I think there is also a lack of strategy from the locals as well...considering that the tourist trade in Alexa Bay is run by a few families (for the most part). They also control the town. Until they die off or leave....

IT IS SUCH A POLICE STATE!!! You can put up to two hours worth of time in the parking meters. It takes almost exactly that long to go to the castle and back. When we got back to our car we had five minutes left on the meter and THE COP WAS RIGHT THERE WAITING FOR IT TO RUN OUT!! When I watch Philly's Parking Wars I always think of Alex Bay.

[islandlife]

I have been a seasonal resident on the St. Lawrence RIver for over 16 years now. I find these comments very intersting and also very accurate observations as well. The region in my opinion is one of the most unique and beautiful places on earth. There are a few fundamental things happening up there that will keep the area from ever becoming any more than what it is at its present time. The recent change of taxes for the waterfront owners has caused a near revolution and much disdain for those involved on either side. It was handled very poorly and with little or no professionalism like just about everything that is done there. The second major problem they have from the waterfront side is the existance of so much law enforcement that it almost appears to be a militant society while out on the waters. Agencies patroling for our countries safety from terrorists so they tell us, truthfully it is a witch hunt for finding which middle aged balding couple returning from dinner in town has had more than the limit of 2 drinks, We have gaurding us out there now the following in the USA only- United States Coast Gaurd, US Border Patrol, NYS Dept. of Enviromental Conservation, NY State Police, NY State Park Police, Jefferson County Sheriff, and whispers of the presence of the ATF, INS, and the DEA on the waters also. This really makes one want to wander of thier property in a boat to go spend a few dollars in town now doesn't it?