Schenectady, N.Y. – The Board of Directors of the Capital Region Land Bank met this week and approved a renovation project at 1009 and 1011 Strong Street in Schenectady that includes hands-on job training for City residents interested in a career in construction.
The City of Schenectady will provide $100,000 in federal community development funding toward the cost of renovating 1011 Strong Street with the goal of creating a three-bedroom single family home with a large yard. The Land Bank will provide $94,000 toward project costs with the goal of recouping this funding when the property is sold. The Land Bank will then invest sale proceeds in another home renovation project.
“This project combines both Land Bank and City resources with the skills and talents of a City-based contractor and local trainees to continue our efforts to revitalize our neighborhoods while helping City residents develop job skills in a growing field,” said Richard Ruzzo, Chairman of the Capital Region Land Bank and a member of the Schenectady County Legislature.
Mayor Gary McCarthy said, “The redevelopment of 1011 Strong Street shows that our focused neighborhood redevelopment efforts can also be leveraged to create career pathways for City residents.”
BKJ Construction of Schenectady will handle the bulk of the renovation work for $153,000. The company submitted the low bid of three bids received. BKJ Construction is a State-certified minority-owned business. Two other firms will handle asbestos remediation and air monitoring for the project. The vacant building at 1009 Strong Street has already been demolished by the City. The property will be used to expand the yard for the newly renovated home at 1011 Strong Street.
The winning bidder has agreed to participate in a training program coordinated by the City’s Affirmative Action Office and will hire five trainees as part of the renovation project.
The Land Bank and the City plan to work on additional renovation and job training partnerships. Work on 1011 Strong Street will begin in the next few weeks.
The Capital Region Land Bank is administered by Metroplex as part of Schenectady County’s unified economic development team.
