News
May 31, 2018More Blighted Properties Slated for Demolition in Schenectady County
The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, the Capital Region Land Bank and The Community Builders, Inc. today announced plans to demolish almost 40 blighted buildings in Schenectady.
“Vacant, blighted zombie properties are not welcome in Schenectady County. They hurt the individuals and families who want to invest in our neighborhoods and create hazards for our first responders. We want safe, livable housing in our community. By getting rid of zombie properties, we stay focused on efforts to boost property values and encourage home ownership,” said Richard Ruzzo, Capital Region Land Bank Chairman and a member of the Schenectady County Legislature. “This next round of demolitions will continue the revitalization and comeback of Schenectady neighborhoods.”
Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair and Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning for Schenectady County said, “We are pleased to work with the Land Bank and The Community Builders to eliminate more blighted buildings. This next round of demolitions will continue to build the strong momentum that is driving redevelopment downtown and in the neighborhoods.”
A recent Rockefeller College/Albany Law School study found that vacant buildings detract from the value of nearby homes and that home prices in the Eastern Avenue corridor increased after vacant and abandoned properties were demolished in the neighborhood.
Metroplex has approved funding to demolish 729 State Street, 1101 Barrett Street and 608 Smith Street. The building at 729 State Street is a vacant and blighted commercial building that is blocking progress on the 700 block of State Street which is seeing investment in new buildings and building renovations. The vacant building at 1101 Barrett Street is negatively impacting redevelopment in the Little Italy neighborhood just off the lower Union Street corridor, which is also seeing considerable new investment. The vacant 608 Smith Street building is located near Proctors and is owned by Schenectady County. The County is helping to fund this demolition.
Metroplex will work with the Capital Region Land Bank to carry out the demolition work. The Land Bank will issue a bid in June for the three Metroplex-funded projects along with another 15 blighted structures in the Mont Pleasant and Eastern Avenue neighborhoods. By working together, both organizations hope to obtain the best bid prices for demolition work.
Both Metroplex and the Land Bank are also working with The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB) to continue to eliminate blighted structures in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood. TCB is currently investing more than $20 million in Hamilton Hill through Phase I of its Hillside development. Phase II calls for an additional investment of more than $40 million. To prepare for this next development phase, TCB recently worked with Mayor McCarthy and the City Council to acquire vacant lots and empty buildings that will be demolished to make way for the Phase II development.
TCB plans to demolish the following vacant properties:
288 Paige Street (partially funded by Metroplex)
759 Albany Street (partially funded by Metroplex)
834 Albany Street (partially funded by Metroplex)
749 Albany Street
763 Albany Street
830 Albany Street
831 Albany Street
306 Craig Street
308 Craig Street
909 Delamont Avenue
911 Delamont Avenue
299 Germania Avenue
307 Germania Avenue
308 Germania Avenue
309 Germania Avenue
313 Germania Avenue
701 Stanley Street
706 Stanley Street
710 Stanley Street
712 Stanley Street
734 Stanley Street
“The demolition of these properties will enhance TCB’s $20 million investment in Hamilton Hill and lay the groundwork for Phase II. By demolishing these vacant and blighted properties, we hope to make a major impact on the Albany Street and Craig Street corridors,” said Susan McCann, regional vice president of development, New York and New Jersey at The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB).
Jackson Demolition, based in Schenectady, will perform demolition work for TCB.
