About Gwendolyn Craig

Gwen is an award-winning journalist covering environmental policy for the Explorer since January 2020. She also takes photos and videos for the Explorer's magazine and website. She is a current member of the Legislative Correspondents Association of New York. Gwen has worked at various news outlets since 2015. Prior to moving to upstate New York, she worked for a D.C. Metro-area public relations firm, producing digital content for clients including the World Health Organization, the Low Income Investment Fund and Rights and Resources Initiative. She has a master's degree in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She has bachelor's degrees in English and journalism, with a concentration in ecology and evolutionary biology, from the University of Connecticut. Gwen is also a part-time figure skating coach. Contact her at (518) 524-2902 or gwen@adirondackexplorer.org. Sign up for Gwen’s newsletter here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Boreas says

    I would rather see the developer resurrect plans for the AMC in Tupper Lake, where it would likely be more beneficial to the existing community. But that is probably a non-starter since he already owns the land in Jay.

  2. SSP says

    Yet another large development proposal within the Park. The Jay Wilmington area is very rural with current infrastructure that will not handle this type of development. Mansions ? 72 room hi-end Hotel ? Condos ? The very character of the communities will change if this is allowed to go thru. This project reeks of a similar project in the Catskills called Highmount Resort near the state owned Bellayre Ski Center. Decades in the making it still has not broke ground. The surrounding communities were dead set against such a scarring of the land.
    Promises of employment from contractors were feel good statements as many of the construction personnel would be brought in from outside the region. Same as with this project, construction jobs would be farmed out to contractors and skilled workers outside the region. If approved / completed, there will be very little benefit to locals as any jobs created will only be service-oriented jobs with no future path to them. Upper management positions will be filled from outside the area as well. Not to mention the influx of non-mountain oriented people who would buy and only temporarily use the property.

    This is yet another developer dream who happened to buy up a bunch of land on the cheap and thinks he can change ‘for the better’ the area. In reality these developers have their head in the clouds, obscured by grandiose visions. The attitude Stackman presents with statements such as ‘resenting some public comments’ and ” Its my money and I am representing the people who will buy in”… “landowner rights are very important to residents, and I am no exception.” shows the selfishness embedded in this guy. He totally ignores the local communities. Has no clue of the huge environmental impacts this project will create.
    Stackman & company are outsiders, they have no real connection to the area. All they see and talk are dreams of a big development and profits. Based on his statements alone its easy to see thru the veil.
    I hope the APA and State deny this application whenever it gets fully completed and submitted. The Adirondacks do not need this type of project. In the meantime it will be along tough uphill battle for Stackman and assoc, Because its obvious they dont realize the strong undercurrent of dissent against this project in the area.

  3. Roberta Alba says

    Thank you for taking the time to sit with us and provide a transparent narrative of the information, as it stands.

  4. Ttm says

    I have to disagree with SSP So far they have used a local contractor and mill to raise the old red granite building on 9N across from the subdivision and have used a local land surveyor to do the surveys. SSP have you taken a hard look around Ausable and Black Brook our town is falling apart. With the right planning board and controls The town of Jay will prosper again! Just think about the tax revenue to help renovate the towns. Also it will bring in more business and will create more jobs.

    • Paul says

      Just the fact they sat down for this shows they are transparent? It sounds nice. I would love a nice place over there to stay for skiing at the Face. You see the usual ‘nay sayer, and choose up siders ‘ kind of comments here. Ignore them. The adirondacks traditionally have been a great place for hotels like this. They just all burned down – nice to see a few coming back. The waterfront lodge in SL got all these kinds of negative comments. It’s a great place.

  5. Big MOOSE says

    WE WILL BOYCOTT THE ADIRONDACKS IF THESE SECOND HOMES ARE ALLOWED for the financial benefits of developers. WE WILL GO TO MAINE INSTEAD!

  6. Ron McQuilkin says

    The project feels and sounds like a success.

    My uncle and brother live in the Adirondacks. I have been a New Yorker, born and raised. I admire their efforts.

    Let’s encourage growth. Smart project for locals to support, and a beautiful community will be built.

    My family is looking to the future.

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