SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Mayor Gary McCarthy announced that the City of Schenectady is seeking bids to demolish seven blighted buildings. The demolition bids are due by 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. The funds are allocated through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
“As we look to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are eager to resume these neighborhood revitalization efforts by removing blight to strengthen the vitality of our community,” Mayor McCarthy said. “These distressed properties have been carefully evaluated and are some of the worst of the worst structures. This is part of a comprehensive and focused effort to improve quality of life in our neighborhoods.”
The seven buildings include two in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood, two in the Vale neighborhood, and three in the Central State Street neighborhood:
- 1009 Strong Street
- 19 Close Street
- 34 Henry Street
- 66 Linden Street
- 804 Locust Avenue
- 1852 Albany Street
- 310 Schenectady Street
The Hamilton Hill and Vale neighborhoods are within the City’s HUD-designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA). The NRSA goals include the reduction of blight through demolition and housing rehabilitation, consistent with the objectives outlined in the City’s Draft 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Five-Year Strategic Plan for housing and community development programs.
The City will look to consolidate each of the parcels with neighboring properties. The properties at 1009 Strong Street, 1852 Albany Street, and 310 Schenectady Street are adjacent to other City-owned properties that would be sold and rehabilitated through the City’s HOMES Program.
“These initiatives are part of a strategic approach to neighborhood revitalization,” said Kristin Diotte, Director of Planning and Development. “By working with our community housing partners and neighboring property owners we can determine productive end-uses for each of the properties in order to most effectively align resources with the needs of the community.”
Additionally, the Capital Region Land Bank took down 1467 Broadway yesterday in partnership with the City, a highly visible derelict structure on a busy corridor in the Bellevue neighborhood. The Capital Region Land Bank is managed and staffed by the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority.
