Schenectady, N.Y. — The Capital Region Land Bank today joined with Better Neighborhoods, Inc. (BNI) and the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority to announce plans to renovate 839 Eastern Avenue, a former “zombie property” that will be completely rebuilt, adding to the redevelopment momentum on Eastern Avenue in Schenectady.
Richard Ruzzo, a member of the Schenectady County Legislature and Chairman of the Capital Region Land Bank said, “This property at 839 Eastern is one of the largest and most visible structures on this important commercial corridor. We are thankful to the Attorney General and Enterprise Community Partners for providing us with the grant funds needed to renovate this building. This project takes an empty, blighted building and turns it into an asset for this neighborhood which is exactly what the Land Bank should be doing. We are proud of the partnerships that made this project a reality.”
The Land Bank has obtained a $204,000 grant from Enterprise Community Partners to be used for project renovation costs. This funding is provided by the Attorney General of New York State through mortgage settlements with banks. Metroplex will add a $75,000 façade grant and BNI will manage the renovation project.
Metroplex Chair Ray Gillen said, “Metroplex is pleased to leverage State funding obtained by the Land Bank with our façade grant to fix this key building in the Eastern Avenue neighborhood.”
James Flacke, Executive Director of BNI said, “We are pleased to partner with Metroplex and the Land Bank to manage the renovation of 839 Eastern Avenue. We have a good design and a contractor in place and our team at BNI will provide construction management.”
Architectural firm Stracher Roth Gilmore has prepared designs for the renovation project that will include three apartment units and ground-floor retail or office space. The adjoining parcel at 843 Eastern Avenue, previously demolished by the Land Bank, will be used for green space and off-street parking. BKJ Construction of Schenectady will perform the renovation work.
Work on 839 Eastern will start this fall. In recent weeks, crews from the SEAT Center, a Schenectady-based job training program, have helped to prep the building for renovation. The SEAT Center is currently building a new home at 99 Prospect Street, just off of Eastern Avenue. BNI is building two new homes on Prospect Street.
The Capital Region Land Bank, the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County, Metroplex and BNI have been working together to boost Schenectady neighborhoods including Eastern Avenue. To date, 25 derelict properties have been demolished in this neighborhood alone while eight other properties have been renovated. The new Tribute Park was built and the former St. Mary’s Church was renovated for use as an events space. Plans for the redevelopment of the former St. Mary’s School and related development are moving forward as part of the proposed $19 million Renaissance Square project.
