Schenectady, N.Y. — Richard Ruzzo, Chairman of the Capital Region Land Bank, today announced several property sales and renovations that will continue efforts to boost Schenectady neighborhoods. The Land Bank board met earlier this week.
Richard Ruzzo said, “The Land Bank is working each day, property by property, to renovate vacant homes and demolish buildings that are beyond repair in an ongoing effort to revitalize our neighborhoods.”
Vacant lots at 795 and 803 Eastern Avenue will both be sold to Sara Welch who owns six properties on Eastern Avenue. The two vacant lots were sold for $500 each. The lots formerly contained derelict properties that were demolished by Metroplex and the Land Bank over the past year. Ms. Welch will use the two lots to expand yards and green space for her tenants. A major goal of the Land Bank is to demolish buildings that are beyond repair and use lots where derelict buildings once stood to expand yards making City neighborhoods more attractive.
The Capital Region Land Bank also approved the sale of 1051 Barrett Street to John Busino Jr. for $7,500. The buyer will renovate the property converting it from a two-family to a single-family, owner-occupied home. The Land Bank encourages homeownership. The property must be owner-occupied for a minimum of 5 years.
A vacant home at 852 Eastern will be sold to JAFJR Construction Services, LLC, a Capital Region minority contractor. The sale price for the badly deteriorated property is $1. The Land Bank will also provide $30,000 from funding it received from Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to renovate this property on the Eastern Avenue corridor. The neighboring property at 854 Eastern will be torn down and utilized as a side lot to make the renovated home at 852 Eastern more attractive.
In other action, the Land Bank Board is moving forward with asbestos remediation quotes for the former Copper Keg at 846-848 Eastern Avenue. Once bids are received, the board expects to approve the sale of this commercial building on Eastern Avenue at its next meeting.
Finally, the Land Bank will be providing a grant of $80,000 to support the construction of two new homes on Carrie Street. Two new homes will be built on three vacant lots that were cleared for new development by Land Bank demolition efforts. The two new homes are being built by Habitat for Humanity with support provided by the City of Schenectady.
Steven Strichman, Executive Director of the Land Bank said “Using funds provided by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, we were able to remove blight and increase home-ownership to strengthen the Northside Neighborhood. Habitat’s new homes will be two-story buildings that complement the neighborhood’s architecture.”
The Capital Region Land Bank serves the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County and the City of Amsterdam. More information including listings of homes and side lots for sale may be found at www.capitalregionlandbank.com.