BY PETE DEMOLA, The Daily Gazette

Schenectady, N.Y. — Coming soon to the heart of downtown Schenectady:

A 49-unit apartment building at the site of the former Citizens Bank building at 501 State St.

The city Planning Commission unanimously approved Redburn Development Partner’s $10 million project on Wednesday.

Located at the corner of State and Clinton streets, the three-story building will restore a gridlike setting to downtown, replacing the “architectural blunder” currently being demolished that officials said has discouraged foot traffic and disrupted the downtown landscape for decades.

“This project will transform an empty [building] with a barren, blank façade facing State Street with a new mixed-use building that will add to the growth we continue to see happening in downtown Schenectady,” said Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.

Architectural renderings for the 50,000-square-foot building reveal a contemporary design containing elements of wood, brick and metal.

Joining the apartments will be retail space on the ground floor, as well as a gym and interior courtyard for residents with trees and green space.

Storefronts will be situated on the State Street side, and entry points for ground-floor apartments will directly open out onto Barrett and Clinton streets.

Redburn’s business model is typically using tax credits to restore old buildings, an approach they’ve utilized for the nearby Foster and Fitzgerald buildings, as well as the former Gazette Press building on Broadway, which remains a work in progress.

To view the complete article on The Daily Gazette website, click here.