Schenectady, N.Y, June 2, 2008 — Metroplex and the City of Schenectady today agreed on a plan to save the Silver Diner located on Erie Boulevard. The Diner was built around a former rail car and is remembered fondly by many Schenectady residents. The Diner has been vacant for a decade.
The City Council will consider a resolution at its next meeting to transfer ownership of the Silver Diner to Ed Zemeck of Prize Construction for $1. The City took possession of the Diner years ago through foreclosure.
Metroplex will provide a loan to Prize Construction for $40,000 toward renovation costs. The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DISC) will make up to $50,000 available from its façade improvement program. Prize Construction will provide at least $90,000 in match toward renovations.
Prize Construction specializes in historic renovation work with almost 20 years of experience in renovating older and historic structures. The company worked on the Proctors project as well as the renovation of the Rose Garden in Central Park. Prize recently completed renovations to the former Kem Plaza on Upper Union Street. In addition, the company is known for its work on National Historic Register Buildings in Fairfield, Connecticut as well as major residential renovation projects in Manhattan and Westchester County. Prize Construction has a track record of combining engineering knowledge of historic buildings with the skilled workers needed to successfully complete restoration projects.
Once renovations to the Diner are complete, Prize Construction will move its offices to the site. The company will consider an expansion of the building in the future to accommodate use of the building as a diner. To do this, the company would seek out an experienced diner operator and they would need to add an expansion to rear of the building to make it compliant with ADA and other requirements. The building in it current configuration cannot be used as a diner.
If Prize Construction sells the Building, Metroplex and DSIC would share in the proceeds of the sale up to the full amount of assistance provided for the project.
Metroplex Chair Ray Gillen said, “We believe we are taking the right course of action here. The building would cost more than $40,000 to demolish or move to another site. This modest investment by Metroplex and DSIC working with an experienced renovation contractor gives us a chance to save this landmark in downtown Schenectady.”
Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “We appreciate the cooperation of the City Council, Metroplex and DSIC to restore Schenectady’s Silver Diner. This is the most economical and best course of action for the City as we continue our efforts to save historic buildings like this one.”
City Council President Peggy King said, “This is a modest expenditure that will help us achieve a new future for the Silver Diner. Inaction is not an answer. We are now moving forward with a plan to deal with this building.”
Ed Zemeck, President of Prize Construction said, “We have already had the opportunity to apply our skills on two gems in the City – Proctors and the Rose Garden. We are pleased to work with Metroplex, DSIC and the City to make the Silver Diner once again a vibrant part of downtown Schenectady.”
Prize Construction plans to apply for National Historic Register designation for the building. The Silver Diner was built in 1936. It contains elements of an original railroad car that are still intact inside the stainless steel exterior making the building a point of interest to both rail car and diner fans.
Gloria Kishton, Chair of the Schenectady Heritage Foundation said, “We are encouraged to see the increasing awareness of and appreciation for Schenectady’s historic buildings as an integral part of economic development. Prize Construction’s restoration will save this landmark and a diner may be in its future once again.”
Jim Salengo, Executive Director of DSIC said, “The Silver Diner is an important and extremely visible landmark along the busy Erie Boulevard gateway into downtown Schenectady. This project is another prime example of how the DSIC’s façade improvement program is encouraging property owners to change the face of downtown
Schenectady for the better.”