Schenectady, N.Y. — The Capital Region Land Bank today announced plans to demolish up to 15 vacant and blighted structures in Schenectady County.  The Land Bank is seeking bidders to do asbestos and environmental remediation and then demolish the structures. Bids are due back to the Land Bank on March 19th at 10:00 am.

Richard Ruzzo, Chairman of the Capital Region Land Bank said, “As these properties are cleaned up and demolished, the positive impact on our neighborhoods is felt by the entire community.”  Mr. Ruzzo also serves on the Schenectady County Legislature.

There are eight properties included in the base bid:

845 Oakwood Avenue – This property is located in Mont Pleasant across the street from Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy, a satellite program for Schenectady High School.

1467 Broadway – This is a highly visible derelict structure on the busy Broadway corridor.

614 Lansing Street – This is a blighted property located just off Crane Street where a new library and multiple façade projects are underway to improve the business corridor.

10 Nott Terrace Heights – This vacant home is badly neglected and is located at the entrance to the miSci museum.

726 Bridge Street – This is a blighted structure badly in need of clean-up just off the Crane Street corridor.

749 Cramer Avenue – This is a blighted property in a Rotterdam neighborhood that has been vacant for over 20 years. The Land Bank will partner with Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County to build a new single-family home on the site once it is demolished.

1612 Carrie Street – This is a blighted structure on the Northside located close to several new homes built by Habitat.

1601 Foster Avenue – This is another Northside property located close to the improvements underway on Carrie Street.

An additional seven structures are included as a supplement to the base bid pending availability of funding.  All are blighted structures in a neighborhood west of Congress Street in Mont Pleasant in close proximity to Wallingford Park, Hamilton Elementary School and the Crane Street corridor:

1041 Glendale Place

815 Bridge Street

822 Davis Terrace

1530 Third Avenue

1534 Third Avenue

834 Cutler Street

717 Bailey Street

The Capital Region Land Bank serves all of Schenectady County and the City of Amsterdam.  To date more than 200 demolitions, multiple renovations and community enhancement projects such as Tribute Park on Eastern Avenue and almost $80 million in investment has resulted from the Land Bank’s work.

The Land Bank is managed and staffed by the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority.