Like so many Schenectadians, Ed Zemeck loves that old, deteriorated landmark on Erie Boulevard, the Silver Diner. Unlike the rest, though, he has come forth with a serious plan to save it. The city is right to give him the property for $1, and Metroplex and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. are right to give him give him a $40,000 loan and a $50,000 facade grant that will make it possible. Zemeck will put at least as much as $90,000 into the project, probably a lot more.

Last year the city, after rejecting previous offers from Zemeck, allowed him in to survey the stainless steel rail diner and see if 1) it could be saved structurally and 2) it could be reused as a diner. The conclusion was yes to the first question and no to the second — at least in its current shape, because the bathrooms are in the basement and not handicapped-accessible. (There is apparently no provision for getting around the Americans with Disabilities Act, even for historic landmarks, although there should be.)

Zemeck, who is a contractor specializing in historic renovations, plans to use the diner for his business office, at least temporarily, keeping the counter and other diner elements intact. Sounds like a fun place to work, with or without food. He will also apply to have the 1936 structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where it definitely belongs.

In the longer term, Zemeck wants to use it as a diner again, which would require an addition to the back side. That would be great, but the most important thing is that this cherished piece of Schenectady history will be saved and reused — and by someone who really appreciates it. Considering that the alternative would have been demolition, at an approximate cost of $40,000, it’s a great deal for the city. A real blue-plate special.