Mayor Gary R. McCarthy Marks Start of Demolition at 701 Congress Street
***
Four Additional Structures to Be Demolished In Coming Weeks
SCHENECTADY – Mayor Gary R. McCarthy today kicked off the demolition of 701 Congress Street, a blighted structure at the entrance of the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood in Schenectady. This is the first of five demolitions that will take place in the next few weeks. In addition to removing four blighted structures from the lower Congress Street hill area, the City is working with Capital Roots, a local non-profit, to turn the site into new green space and help beautify the entrance into the neighborhood.
“We have worked diligently to develop a comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization that includes removal of blight, adding green space, renovating homes, and promoting homeownership,” Mayor Gary McCarthy said. “From residents removing litter in front of their homes, to the City removing the dilapidated structures that are impediments to new investment, to the housing organizations working with us to invest in renovations and affordable housing; together, as community partners in progress, we are building a better Schenectady.”
The five demolitions, 701 Congress Street, 702 Congress Street, 710 Congress Street, 719 Congress Street, and 16 Daggett Terrace, will be paid for using HUD funding 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 community revitalization. The Mayor worked closely with Senator Chuck Schumer to secure this funding for Schenectady.
Schenectady has put together $10 million in State grants, federal funds, local assistance and private resources to demolish severely blighted structures and rehabilitate others. The Capital Region 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 Home Ownership Made Easy in Schenectady (HOMES) program designed to increase homeownership and boost Schenectady neighborhoods.
# # #