RENSSELAER — I strongly oppose the practice of naming significant infrastructure after politicians. While there are countless deserving poets, writers, athletes, war heroes, musicians, and teachers to honor, it is unnecessary to indulge in political ego-stroking by naming a bridge after Cuomo or an airport after a mayor. Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to fly out of Rusty Staub International or work at the Andrew Rooney State Office Complex?
However, I must admit that renaming the Albany-Rensselaer Rail Station after political heavyweight Joe Bruno is appropriate. Every day, unsuspecting travelers board the train to Albany only to discover that they’ve ended up on the opposite side of the river. They may wonder, “Where am I?” and “Which politician can I blame for this station being built in the Capital Region’s version of Hoboken?” The answer is Joe Bruno!
Before I delve into the criticisms, let me acknowledge Bruno’s positive attributes. The late Joe Bruno, a longtime Republican Senate majority leader, was an intriguing character. He emerged from humble origins to become a larger-than-life figure who remained true to himself. He wasn’t an elitist or a technocrat; rather, he was a blue-collar individual who believed in the potential of government to create positive change.
Moreover, as an influential politician from upstate, Bruno served as a crucial counterbalance to the domination of downstate power and Democratic extremism. Despite his flaws, the Legislature could benefit from the presence of a pragmatic individual like Bruno in the Capitol.
Now, regarding his faults… there was the regrettable commingling of private business and public funds, which led to Bruno’s conviction on federal corruption charges. However, the Supreme Court later determined that the so-called honest services statute was excessively vague, resulting in his acquittal by a second jury.
Bruno’s concept of public service included retaining his position by distributing perks and benefits to his Rensselaer County district. This may also explain why a baseball stadium bears his name. However, let’s return to the topic of the train station, which is owned by CDTA.
It would be unfair to solely blame Bruno for the station being situated on the east side of the river, away from convenient highway access and public transportation. The relocation occurred in the late 1960s before Bruno’s election to the state Senate, and it involved significant challenges related to tracks and space requirements. Additionally, restoring rail service to downtown Albany would have been a substantial undertaking.
Nevertheless, as long as Bruno held power, the station was never going to leave his district. In essence, his influence eliminated the possibility of an Albany station, particularly when the state was covering a significant portion of the $55 million cost.
That’s one of the flaws of prioritizing pork-barrel politics. Politicians focused on serving their own districts often neglect regional considerations and common sense. While a train station in downtown Albany would have benefited the city and the entire region, it conflicted with Bruno’s interests, so it was disregarded. You won’t find the new Schenectady station in Scotia either, highlighting the contrast.
Undeniably, we erected a grand train station in 2002 when few other regions in the United States were investing in passenger rail. The 80,000-square-foot building, adorned with a copper dome, bronze chandeliers, and massive windows, represented a significant improvement over its humble predecessor.
Nonetheless, I suspect that many of the approximately 800,000 annual station users would willingly sacrifice the architectural embellishments for a more convenient location. It’s akin to taking a train to Boston and disembarking in Revere, a nonsensical situation. In cities worldwide, train stations are typically located in downtown areas, but not here.
Alas, what’s done is done. The Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station remains where it is and isn’t going anywhere, necessitating out-of-the-box solutions like gondolas to transport people to Albany without crossing the Private Parker F. Dunn Memorial Bridge.
Fortunately, the bridge’s name pays tribute to a World War I hero rather than a politician, which is quite miraculous.
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