Schenectady, N.Y. –- The Schenectady County Metroplex Board of Directors met today and approved projects designed to retain jobs at the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Glenville and to continue the revitalization of lower State Street in downtown Schenectady.
The Board approved a $25,000 grant to the Schenectady Military Affairs Council (SMAC). SMAC works to protect almost 2,000 military jobs in Schenectady County including jobs at the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Glenville and two large Military Reserve Centers, one in Glenville the other in Niskayuna.
The $25,000 Metroplex grant will be used to match a $125,000 State grant announced by Governor Cuomo in support of military installations in Schenectady County.
SMAC is working closely with Schenectady County’s unified economic development team to prepare for the potential that Congress may call for another round of base closures.
Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “The Stratton Air Base has a unique mission that is implemented with great skill by the members of the 109th Airlift Wing based in Glenville. Our base retention activities will continue to focus on the unique mission and the cost effectiveness of the Stratton Air Base. In addition, our Reserve Center in Glenville is almost brand new and the facility in Niskayuna is under construction, so these two key Reserve Centers are among the most modern in the military.”
The Metroplex board also approved moving forward with improvements to lower State Street from Erie Boulevard to North Church Street. The project involves new curbs, sidewalks, trees and other upgrades.
Lower State Street represents the third and final phase of downtown development work. The first phase is the very successful Proctors Block Development. The second phase underway now is the $15 million upgrade to Erie Boulevard from an expanded GE campus to a revitalized Alco waterfront development.
The Lower State Street revitalization effort is picking up speed with the following projects completed or underway:
–new $11 million 264 bed student housing across from SCCC.
–major renovations to 201 State Street for use by SCCC’s workforce
programs.
–$1 million upgrade to 200 State and 145 State for use as loft apartments.
–purchase and renovation of 131 State Street by Madison Handbags.
–Transfinder’s purchase and renovation of 263 State Street.
–upgrades to the Schenectady bus station at 22 State Street.
–upgraded facades at 101, 21, 214 and 264 State Street.
–re-use of the former Schenectady Armory.
–planned re-use of the former YMCA at 13 State Street.
–planned upgrades to Liberty Park to be renamed Gateway Plaza.
Gillen said, “As we get more and more private investment committed to lower State Street, we need to show these investors that we will be upgrading the infrastructure in this area including the street and sidewalks. This upgrade will add to our momentum on lower State Street.”