The Times Union reported this week that the Lebanese restaurant on Broadway, just north of the Watervliet Arsenal, is changing hands, and a Peruvian restaurant is moving in. Locals will remember that the site was the long-time home of Papa’s Corner Restaurant, and that it remained shuttered for years after that establishment closed, before Teta Marie’s Lebanese Restaurant opened a few years ago.
The location of the restaurant is marked by the red star on the map below. I’ll note that one block to the north is another restaurant location that’s changed hands (or brands) a number of times in the past decade or two. It’s currently the home to Mr. Halal.
Both locations ought to be good ones. They’re walking distance from the library, City Hall, and a sizeable retirement community, they’re not far from the Arsenal (a major employer in Watervliet, and they’re right on New York’s Empire State Trail. They’re also right next to the Hudson River, or should be. Unfortunately, the view and access to the river are blocked by I-787. That means that both restaurant sites, rather than being blessed by a picturesque view and walkable location are instead cursed with the noise and air pollution created by the highway.
There are plans (currently in the study phase) being considered/developed that would replace the interstate with a boulevard. (I’d argue the same is very much needed with I-890 in downtown Schenectady.) In my opinion, it can’t happen too soon. Businesses and residents between Albany and Cohoes would all benefit, these two restaurant locations included.