Contact: Ray Gillen, Metroplex

(518) 377-1109

(518) 461-7137 (cell)

 

Metroplex Board Approves Two Neighborhood Boosting Projects in Schenectady

 

Schenectady, NY – June 10, 2015 – The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority board met today and approved two projects that boost City neighborhoods.

The board first approved an upgrade to 823 Eastern Avenue, the former RAS Furniture store. The building is a vacant storefront in the Eastern Avenue corridor that is being redeveloped by Metroplex, the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County and the Capital Region Land Bank.   Metroplex approved a $75,000 matching grant to upgrade the building’s façade.  The building will be renovated by Mark Leszczynski  who owns several nearby businesses on Eastern Avenue.

Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair, said, “This is a highly visible building that needs an upgrade.  We look forward to working with the new owner to renovate this building along the redeveloping Eastern Avenue corridor.”

Richard Ruzzo, Chairman of the Capital Region Land Bank and a member of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “The RAS Building is key to our efforts on Eastern Avenue. This continues the progress we are making in revitalizing our City neighborhoods.”

The Metroplex Board also approved a $50,000 grant to help renovate 852 State Street.  Lakshmi Associates will buy and renovate the building and relocate from 780 Albany Street.  The owner is expanding his West Indies specialty goods store and adding a kitchen at the new location. The former location along with 5 other buildings on Albany Street will be demolished for a new $14 million 52,000 square foot, three-story building to be built by DePaul Properties of Rochester to provide affordable housing to neighborhood residents.

Gillen added, “We are pleased to help Lakshmi Associates move forward with their relocation and expansion which also helps us bring a new $14 million investment to Hamilton Hill.”