SCHENECTADY
City gets $1M for revitalization
Funds to be split between renovation and demolition
BY BRETT SAMUELS Gazette ReporterPETER R. BARBER/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER
The Annie Schaffer Senior Center on Nott Terrace in Schenectady is seen Thursday. State funds will be used to help convert the abandoned facility into an apartment building.
Schenectady will receive $1 million from the state to help with the demolition or renovation of dilapidated buildings.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that 75 municipalities would benefit from roughly $40 million worth of awards through the Restore New York Communities Initiative. The grant program funds revitalization efforts. Schenectady received $1 million through the program, which is the largest amount possible for a city of its size, said Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority.
The funding will go toward the demolition or rehab of 10 city properties, most of which are part of ongoing neighborhood investment projects.
The most significant project involves the renovation of the abandoned Annie Schaffer Senior Centerat 101 Nott Terrace.
The 22,000-square-foot space has been vacant for several years but is set to be converted into 30 apartments. The project received approval in November from the Schenectady Planning Commission, and construction is expected to begin this year, now that the grant money has come through.
In total, the project will cost $6 million. Most of the work will be done inside the building, though developers are also planning to add a third floor to the structure.
Other projects made possible by the state funding include demolition of 845 Eastern Ave. and the renovation of 739 and 764.5 Eastern Ave.
As part of ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the Eastern Avenue corridor, several buildings have already been knocked down, and work is underway on the new Tribute Park in that neighborhood.
In the city’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood, the grant will allow for the demolition of 759 and 834 Albany St. and 288 Paige St. All of those properties are near the planned Joseph Allen Apartments, an affordable-housing complex expected to be completed along Albany Street this summer.
In downtown Schenectady, 608 Smith St., which is near the Schenectady County building, will be knocked down, and 729 State St. will be demolished as well.
In addition, the city-owned property at 1101 Barrett St. will be demolished. That structure is just a few blocks from Union College.
Reach Gazette reporter Brett Samuels 395-3113, bsamuels@ dailygazette.net or @Brett_
Samuels27.