(Schenectady, New York): — Schenectady County officials today joined with officials from the Town of Glenville and Metroplex to recognize Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) for his assistance in convincing the General Services Administration (GSA) to move forward with a notice of surplus determination for over 53 acres of land in Glenville that will be redeveloped as part of the new Scotia-Glenville Business and Technology Park.

Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “We are grateful to Congressman McNulty for his leadership in helping us get this property back into productive use and back on the tax rolls. Congressman McNulty fought for two years to get this property declared surplus so that we can move forward with plans to join this property with other parcels to create shovel ready sites for growing businesses near the Exit 26 bridge. We are confident that this will become a hot spot for technology companies as the site has excellent highway and rail access, abundant water, and Empire Zone status.”

McNulty said, “I am pleased that the General Services Administration has moved forward at my request to make this site available. The federal government no longer needs the property and it is time for this land to go back on the tax rolls and become part of Schenectady County’s smart growth economic development program.

Glenville Town Supervisor Frank Quinn said, “We thank Congressman McNulty and his staff for their perseverance and tenacity in pursuing the turnover of this property. This breaks a long standing log jam concerning the use of this centrally located parcel in our business park. It is remarkable what can happen when local, county, and federal governments collaborate to benefit our citizens. Once again, Congressman McNulty has demonstrated effective leadership in orchestrating the turnover of this property.”

The federal property consists of 53.78 acres at the GSA Scotia Depot, which was formerly the home of the Scotia Naval Depot. The site contains a number of older warehouse buildings and other structures that are in very poor condition. The County and the Town of Glenville have been working closely to get control of this parcel so that this site can be cleaned up, put back on the tax rolls, and contribute to the local economy.

The notice of surplus determination will not end the federal government’s presence at the old Scotia Navy Depot site. The Defense Logistics Agency maintains a few of the former warehouse buildings at the site, which the Department of Defense continues to utilize as part of the National Stockpile program. In addition, a Navy Commissary and several other federal offices continue to operate at the site.

However, with the notice of surplus determination, the majority of the parcel has been declared surplus. Under federal property disposal law, GSA is able to offer surplus property to state and local government agencies as part of a screening process. Both the Town of Glenville and Schenectady County are working with Congressman McNulty and GSA to get control of the property and have it included in the Scotia Glenville Industrial Park, which will expand and be called the Scotia Glenville Business and Technology Park.

Recently, the County was successful in re-claiming a ten acre site near the Exit 26 bridge, the former Burgess property, for inclusion in the expanded business park.

Using funding from a State grant and the Schenectady County IDA, a master plan for the 200 acre business park will be developed and will include a new access road in the rear of the park with an entrance near the Exit 26 bridge.

The Scotia Glenville Business and Technology Park is home to Super Steel, Sealed Air, Adirondack Beverage, Chick Packaging and several other companies.

Ray Gillen, Chair of Metroplex and Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning in Schenectady County said, “With this additional acreage made possible through Congressman McNulty’s tireless efforts, we will be able to put together sites for fast growing businesses. This is another step forward in our efforts to create shovel ready sites in Schenectady County for expanding businesses.”