Schenectady, N.Y., November 13, 2024 — The Metroplex Board of Directors met this evening and approved six projects that continue to move Schenectady County’s economic development efforts forward.

The Board gave approval to plans to convert the vacant former St. Clare’s Hospital at 600 McClellan Street into a mixed-use development featuring apartments, day-care and other commercial tenants.  The total estimated investment exceeds $50 million.  Metroplex is providing an exemption on sales tax for building materials used to renovate the building as well as a payment in lieu of tax agreement that will put the building on the tax rolls for the first time since it was originally constructed in 1949.

Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “We are pleased to be working with the development team of Jeff Buell partnered with Chris and Brooke Spraragen to convert the hospital to new productive uses.”

The Board also approved a $75,000 façade grant for 9 Yates Street.  Located across the street from Daley’s, the building was recently purchased by a local attorney, Jeffrey Cardone, who is planning a major renovation.

“Nine Yates is one of the most interesting buildings downtown.  It has great potential, and we are excited about restoring this building in a key location downtown,” Gillen said.

An access agreement with National Grid was also approved by the Board.  This will allow National Grid access to a Metroplex-owned property at 406 Hamilton Street.  National Grid needs to utilize the site to complete environmental clean-up work at the city-owned parcel at the corner of Broadway and Clinton Street.  This continues efforts by National Grid to remediate an area that was contaminated many years ago when National Grid operated a manufactured gas plant at 375 Broadway from 1851 to 1901.

“By completing this work early in 2025, Metroplex and the City will be able to market a great development site on the Broadway corridor and we thank National Grid for completing this final clean-up work,’” Gillen said.

The Metroplex Board also approved a $77,930 contract with C2 Design Group in Glenville to analyze structural and building systems in the miSci building at 15 Museum Drive in downtown Schenectady.  This is part of the County’s effort in partnership with Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara to retain and grow miSci in Schenectady County.  The study will identify priorities

for improving the museum using the $10 million obtained by Assemblyman Santabarbara in the

state budget.  Earlier Metroplex approved funding to help upgrade the miSci planetarium to allow for new programming.  The Mesmerica show at miSci has already attracted over 4,000 visitors to the museum.

Using funding provided by the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative, Metroplex approved a contract award for $894,000 to Peter Luizzi and Brothers Contracting to extend the ALCO Heritage Trail and reopen the ALCO Tunnel to improve connections between Mohawk Harbor and downtown.  The bid was the lowest of four bids submitted.

Finally, the Board provided an additional $40,000 in façade funding to help with the cost of restoring 417 Union Street, an historic building in downtown Schenectady.  The cost of repairing the structure increased as the façade was in worse condition than expected (photo below).

Metroplex coordinates economic development activity in Schenectady County.  The Authority oversees major capital projects that create jobs, expand the tax base, and generate sales tax, which in turn creates more funding for Metroplex to invest as the Authority receives a portion of sales tax funding from Schenectady County.

(417 Union Street)

 

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