Schenectady, N.Y., October 20, 2006 — Schenectady County officials today announced plans to renovate 409 State Street to handle an expansion by the State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, currently based at 401 State Street. The expansion will add 23 new jobs to the existing Commission workforce of 101 employees.
The building at 409 State Street formerly housed a D&K Dollar Store and has been vacant since D&K closed most of its stores in the Northeastern United States last year.
The State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities plans to occupy the first floor. The Commission currently occupies the adjoining building at 401 State Street. The Commission is expanding and local officials were concerned that if the agency outgrew 401 State Street with no room for expansion, that the agency might leave downtown.
Metroplex has been working with Senator Farley’s Office, the State Office of General Services and the Galesi Group to house the expansion in the adjoining 409 State Street for more than a year. The Commission will lease approximately 8,000 square feet of space in the first floor of 409 State Street.
State Senator Hugh T. Farley said, “While some in Schenectady said that the expansion of the Commission might result in this agency leaving our community, I was pleased to work with Metroplex, the Governor’s Office and OGS to insure that not only will the Commission stay it will grow by expanding into a second building.”
Susan E. Savage Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “This project keeps over 100 good jobs downtown. The expansion into 409 State Street helps to fill a vacant building and expands the tax base in Schenectady County.”
The renovation of 409 State to handle expansion needs of the Commission will retain 100 jobs in downtown. Metroplex and the Galesi Group are working together to market the second floor space.
Metroplex is providing a $25,000 grant toward the cost of purchasing 409 State and a $70,000 façade grant through the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation.
The Galesi Group will invest more than $1 million in renovations at 409 State Street. The building will feature a beautiful new façade in keeping with other restored buildings on the Proctors Block. The City Planning Commission approved the façade plan at its meeting on October 18th.
Renovations will get underway later this year with occupancy expected in the first quarter of 2007.
The project architect is Stracher Roth Gilmore of Schenectady and the construction manager is BCI.