For Release: Immediate
Date: May 19, 2015
Press Release
Mayor Gary McCarthy Announces Ten More Blighted Houses to Go as
Schenectady Continues Neighborhood Revitalization Efforts
SCHENECTADY – Mayor Gary R. McCarthy today announced plans to demolish ten blighted buildings in the City of Schenectady as part of the City’s $10 million neighborhood revitalization program.
“Removing blight is a key part of our coordinated effort to encourage investment and revitalize our neighborhoods,” Mayor Gary McCarthy said. “The City of Schenectady has issued a Request for Bids for ten more demolitions to build upon our efforts to protect and improve the quality of life and public safety in our neighborhoods.”
The ten demolitions will be paid for using HUD fundng received by the City. HUD is working with Schenectady on an innovative program to use HUD 108 Loan Funds, to be repaid through future CDBG grants and from sales tax revenue, for demolition and comunity revitalization. The Mayor worked closely with Senator Chuck Schumer to secure this funding for Schenectady.
“These ten demolitions are further proof that we are all committed to making a difference in the fight against blight and to revitalizing our neighborhoods,” said Richard Ruzzo, Chairman of the Land Bank of the Capital Region and a member of the Schenectady County Legislature. “We thank the City for moving ahead with this bid.”
The ten buildings to be demolished include five properties in Mt. Pleasant: 701 Congress Street, 702 Congress Street, 710 Congress Street, 719 Congress Street and 522 Altamont Avenue. Three properties are in the Hamilton Hill and Vale neighborhoods: 810 Arch Street, 310 Craig Street, and 16 Daggett Terrace. Two properties — 848 State Street and 910 State Street — are located on State Street close to the location of the new Schenectady County Phyllis Bornt Branch Library and Family Literacy Center and the recently announced Family Dollar Store.
The City issued bids on May 18th and responses are due back on June 1st. Specifications may be picked up at City Hall in thePurchasing Department, Room #102 or downloaded from the Empire State Purchasing Group website at www.EmpireStateBidSystem.com.
The Land Bank is currently working on nine demolitions, many in the Eastern Avenue and Northside neighborhoods, utilizing $3 million in funding provided by Attorney General Schneiderman’s Land Bank Community Revitalization Initiative. Building demolitions and renovation work will continue throughout the City as part of Mayor McCarthy’s HOMES Program designed to increase home ownership and boost Schenectady neighborhoods.
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