Schenectady, N.Y., July 10, 2006 – Metroplex today joined with County and City officials to announce that Quality Roofing Supplies will continue its rapid growth in Schenectady by constructing a new 19,000 square foot distribution center on Edison Avenue. Highbridge Development will build the new facility and lease it back to the fast growing roofing supplier that added 26,000 square feet of space to its current downtown Schenectady location last year. The new 19,000 square foot building represents an additional investment in Schenectady County of more than $1.35 million.
“We welcome the news just months after their facility on Van Guysling Avenue was expanded that Quality Roofing Supplies will grow again, this time by building a new facility on Edison Avenue,” said Vincent DiCerbo, Vice Chair of the County Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development.
Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “We appreciate the commitment by Quality Roofing Supplies to downtown Schenectady and we thank them as well as Highbridge Development for their efforts to work with the City, County and Metroplex to develop the Broadway entrance to downtown.”
Two years ago, Metroplex announced plans for aggressive development of the Broadway corridor including new office buildings, a renovated office complex, the new Villa Italia Bakery and the corporate office of Utech Products — all new occupants of the improved Broadway corridor. Later this summer, demolition will start on the six-acre former Dorp Salvage Building at the gateway to Broadway creating additional shovel-ready sites at the Broadway Commerce Park, an urban business park at the gateway to downtown Schenectady located right off of I-890.
Last month, Highbridge Development announced plans for a new 10,000 square foot office and retail building on Clinton and Van Guysling Avenue. A nearby 22,000 square foot office complex built by Highbridge Development is already 100% occupied.
Last year, as part of the Broadway Commerce Park initiative, Quality Roofing Supplies expanded its facility by over 26,000 square feet. Metroplex provided a $312,000 loan toward the total project cost of almost $1 million. Quality Roofing Supplies promised to retain 25 jobs and create 15 new jobs as part of this first project. In total, the company has expanded by more than 22 workers bringing total employment to more than 52 exceeding job goals set for the original project.
Mrs. Lori Bogdon-Appel, Vice President of Quality Roofing Supplies said, “We are appreciative for the cooperative growth efforts between Quality Roofing Supplies, Metroplex, County and City officials and Highbridge Development. These efforts have successfully enabled us to further expand while continuing to provide our best in overall customer service.”
Mr. John Roth, President of Highbridge Development said, “It is great to see a local company succeed and expand as Quality Roofing Supplies has. The County of Schenectady, the City and Metroplex continue to bring new business into Schenectady and help existing businesses grow with a team approach and strong leadership. We’re proud to part of the continued revitalization efforts in Schenectady County.”
For the latest expansion to be built by Highbridge Development and leased back to Quality Roofing Supplies, no Metroplex assistance is contained in the financing package.
The new building will enable the company to expand the products and services it provides to local building contractors. Established in 1974, the Schenectady-based company provides building materials to homeowners and building contractors in Eastern New York. Quality Roofing Supplies provides a full range of residential and commercial roofing and siding products. The company also supplies windows, fabricated metals, doors and deck products.