The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) and Schenectady Rotary Club will hold a dedication event to celebrate the installation of a Peace Pole on
Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 5:15 PM. The newest Schenectady Peace Pole is at the western end of the ALCO pedestrian tunnel which historically connected the industrial river side part of Schenectady (now Mohawk Harbor) with the residential neighborhoods of Little Italy and Goose Hill where factory workers lived. The eastern terminus of the tunnel is on North Jay Street near a connection to the Bike Path and a direct link through Little Italy to the City Hall area and Jay Street Pedestrian Mall.
Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 5:15 PM. The newest Schenectady Peace Pole is at the western end of the ALCO pedestrian tunnel which historically connected the industrial river side part of Schenectady (now Mohawk Harbor) with the residential neighborhoods of Little Italy and Goose Hill where factory workers lived. The eastern terminus of the tunnel is on North Jay Street near a connection to the Bike Path and a direct link through Little Italy to the City Hall area and Jay Street Pedestrian Mall.
The site can be accessed from the parking lot behind ALLTOWN FRESH (1410 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady).
The Peace Pole message “Let Peace Prevail on Earth” is inscribed in eight languages adapted from the Japanese poet and philosopher Masahisa Goi, the phrase urges
community members to integrate this mantra into their lives. The message is written in English, American Sign Language, Mohawk, Hebrew, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, and Dutch, reflecting but a smattering of Schenectady’s ethnic and cultural history.
“The Peace Pole is a simple yet powerful reminder of our shared hope for peace and unity. Its message, expressed in eight languages, reflects the diversity of our community and the universal nature of that hope. We’re especially pleased to see this meaningful symbol take its place at the site of the ALCO tunnel space that was opened to connect people physically and now serves as a cultural treasure that brings our community together in a new way. It’s a fitting home for a message of peace, connection and belonging in downtown Schenectady.” — Maureen Neufeld, Executive Director, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation
Schenectady Rotary Club Co President Brianne Ptak-Mimura, Director of Marketing & Digital Media at Discover Schenectady sees the downtown Peace Pole
as an extension of the wonderful inventory of what to experience as a visitor to Schenectady. “The mosaic tiles lining the historic ALCO tunnel adjacent to the location
of the Schenectady Rotary Peace Pole make the site a below ground museum attracting local residents and visitors alike.”
community members to integrate this mantra into their lives. The message is written in English, American Sign Language, Mohawk, Hebrew, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, and Dutch, reflecting but a smattering of Schenectady’s ethnic and cultural history.
“The Peace Pole is a simple yet powerful reminder of our shared hope for peace and unity. Its message, expressed in eight languages, reflects the diversity of our community and the universal nature of that hope. We’re especially pleased to see this meaningful symbol take its place at the site of the ALCO tunnel space that was opened to connect people physically and now serves as a cultural treasure that brings our community together in a new way. It’s a fitting home for a message of peace, connection and belonging in downtown Schenectady.” — Maureen Neufeld, Executive Director, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation
Schenectady Rotary Club Co President Brianne Ptak-Mimura, Director of Marketing & Digital Media at Discover Schenectady sees the downtown Peace Pole
as an extension of the wonderful inventory of what to experience as a visitor to Schenectady. “The mosaic tiles lining the historic ALCO tunnel adjacent to the location
of the Schenectady Rotary Peace Pole make the site a below ground museum attracting local residents and visitors alike.”
Jessica Daniel Hughes, Schenectady Rotary Club in coming President said, “As Americans, we carry the languages, the memories, and the loves of many places in our
hearts. We also carry Rotary’s commitment to service, not only in Schenectady, but in the countries our members and their families have called home and people of the world through our frequent medical mission support.”
“In this point in time when conflict tears at so many corners of our world, a peace pole might seem like a modest gesture,” said Schenectady Rotary Joanne M. DeVoe, who coordinated the project and secured a grant from the Central Rotary New York (CNY) District, “But we believe in the power of words … we can say what we stand for, plainly and in many languages: “Let Peace Prevail on Earth.”
The location was chosen because it shares the site with a historic tunnel which has been repurposed as a unifying link between two parts of town. The restored tunnel
features a tile mosaic on its walls produced by C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, representing thoughts and memories of Schenectady citizens as they worked with clay to complete individual tiles. The mosaic is a virtual underground museum, paying tribute to the history, culture, and people of Schenectady. The site has been developed under the auspices of the City of Schenectady, Metroplex Development Authority, NYS Downtown Redevelopment Initiative (DRI) Grant, Empire State Development, Homes & Community Renewal, and Electric City Arts & Entertainment District.
features a tile mosaic on its walls produced by C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, representing thoughts and memories of Schenectady citizens as they worked with clay to complete individual tiles. The mosaic is a virtual underground museum, paying tribute to the history, culture, and people of Schenectady. The site has been developed under the auspices of the City of Schenectady, Metroplex Development Authority, NYS Downtown Redevelopment Initiative (DRI) Grant, Empire State Development, Homes & Community Renewal, and Electric City Arts & Entertainment District.
While not yet officially opened, the ALCO Tunnel will be open briefly on the evening of the Peace Pole Dedication for those attending the dedication.
The public is welcome at the Thursday, October 1, 5:15 dedication behind Alltown Fresh Market, 1410 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady. Schenectady Rotary invites all attending the Peace Pole Dedication to an Evening Social immediately following the Dedication at Katie O’Byrnes, 151 Wall Street Downtown Schenectady. Cash bar, light hors d’oeuvres, camaraderie, and lots of fun. $5 at the door.