Schenectady, N.Y. – The Schenectady County Metroplex Board of Directors met today and approved four different projects in Rotterdam, Scotia, Glenville, and the City of Schenectady.
In Rotterdam, the Metroplex Board agreed to provide up to $250,000 in matching funds for the demolition of the former Curry Road Shopping Plaza as part of a $20 million redevelopment of the 12 acre site to include two retail buildings facing Curry Road and 180 units of senior housing.
Judy Dagostino, Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “I am so pleased that we are taking another step in the demolition and clean-up of this long-time eyesore. By working together we are moving closer to breathing new life into this site and creating something our community can take pride in.”
Metroplex worked with the Town of Rotterdam to successfully redevelop the former Capitol Plaza at the corner of Altamont Avenue and Curry Road.
“Now, we are pleased to be working with Rotterdam to redevelop the former Curry Road Plaza,” said Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair.
In the Village of Scotia, the Board approved the sale of the former McDonalds site on Mohawk Avenue to Mazzone Management Group. Metroplex purchased the site from McDonalds for $1 and cleaned up the site at a total cost of $213,824. Metroplex will sell the site for $240,000. The Board approved the start of the official property disposition process required by State law which calls for disclosure and notification of the pending sale.
In the Town of Glenville, the Metroplex Board approved increasing a previously approved grant of $31,565 to $58,445 for a project that will connect sewer lines from Route 50 to the Schenectady County Airport and the County’s Airport Business Park. The County received a $284,090 grant from the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Council for the sewer project. Bids for the project came in slightly over budget requiring an increase in Metroplex funding of $26,880. Work will start this fall.
The County is also building a new road at the Airport Business Park using a State grant of $330,000 plus County funding of $175,000. Both the road and sewer projects will create shovel ready sites for expanding businesses.
In the City of Schenectady, the Metroplex Board approved accepting a State grant of $325,000 for renovation work at Key Hall. Proctors purchased the building in 2010 and renovated the building. Congressman Paul Tonko when he served in the State Assembly obtained $2 million in State funding for various downtown projects including the new YMCA ($1 million) and the new Union Graduate College ($350,000). State grant funding of $325,000 is available for the Key Hall renovation work now that the project has been completed. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara helped Metroplex finalize the necessary documents with the State to draw down the funding for the Key Hall project.