SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP) is moving forward with plans for a new $37 million campus at the corner of State Street and Brandywine Avenue in Schenectady. The campus plan was approved by the City of Schenectady Planning Commission last night. The new facility will be built on a 2.58-acre site and includes a new four-story structure with 60 new apartments and a two-story building that will include a childcare center with 72 childcare slots and family support services. The two structures will replace a long-vacant site at a key entryway to Schenectady from I-890 and along State Street so it is expected that the planned development will boost this important corridor.
The development will address the need for more childcare and quality affordable housing in Schenectady. SCAP will keep its existing offices at 913 Albany Street as well as childcare centers located throughout Schenectady.
DePaul Properties is partnering with SCAP on the project. The Rochester-based company built the Joseph Allen apartments on Albany Street and is currently building the Mosaic development on Crane Street.
“We are thrilled the vision for SCAP Campus is coming to life,” said Addy Haberbush, SCAP CEO. “This project will strengthen the neighborhood and provide more families with access to affordable housing and quality childcare and education. Thanks to the support of our partners: DePaul Properties, Congressman Paul Tonko, The Wright Family Foundation, The Schenectady Foundation, The Little Foundation. Schenectady County, the City of Schenectady, Metroplex, and others, we are moving closer to it becoming reality.”
“This new campus will transform a key site on State Street and bring SCAP’s well respected programs that help families to a new level,” said Mayor Gary McCarthy.
The new development is across State Street from the new $6 million Hometown Health Center Dental Clinic that was funded by Schenectady County using ARPA funding and Hometown Health’s health and wellness facilities.
“When the County provided funding to transform a vacant retail store into the Capital Region’s largest dental facility, our plan was to use this investment to drive further development at the State and Brandywine intersection, and that’s exactly what this project does,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “The new $37 million campus will continue the transformation of this corridor into a vibrant and welcoming gateway to the neighborhood and the City of Schenectady. We are proud to support this project and thank our unified economic development team for working with SCAP to prepare the site for construction.”
SCAP and DePaul plan to apply for tax credits from NYS Homes and Community Renewal to help finance the new housing and childcare center. A local match is required when applying for State support and SCAP has already received support from Congressman Paul Tonko, The Wright Family Foundation, The Schenectady Foundation, The Little Foundation, Schenectady County, Metroplex and the Capital Region Land Bank.
Metroplex and the Land Bank will begin prepping the site for construction by demolishing two buildings at 1113 and 1115 State Street.
When financing is secured and approvals obtained, construction should begin in early 2025.