Senator Farley Announces Demolition Project Will Improve Broadway Entrance To Schenectady

State, County and City agencies will work together to fund demolition of two derelict buildings at the intersection of I-890 and Broadway, a primary entrance to Schenectady for patrons of Proctors Theatre and other downtown attractions.

Schenectady County officials today announced plans to raze the former Dorp Salvage and G&G Equipment buildings on Broadway utilizing funding from Metroplex, the City and County Industrial Development Agencies and State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady). The project will remove a downtown eyesore and will create "shovel ready" space for new office and tech companies downtown.

Senator Farley said, "The Broadway corridor is the first impression of Schenectady for many visitors to the "new" Proctors Theatre and our other downtown attractions. This demolition project removes the decaying and decrepit buildings which greet visitors at the base of the I-890 ramp and paves the way for attractive new construction on this highly desirable site. I am pleased to support the work of Metroplex, County officials and Mayor Stratton by providing a special State Senate grant to help with this important project."

"We are grateful for Senator Farley’s support for our economic development efforts," said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. "Senator Farley has been extremely helpful to our efforts to improve the Broadway corridor with earlier support for both the Utech and Villa Italia projects, as well as the new office building on Broadway. Now, with a combination of funding sources, we will be able to remove a complex of run-down buildings at a key gateway to Schenectady, the entrance used by most patrons of Proctors and soon our new downtown cinema. We will replace abandoned buildings with shovel ready space for fast growing companies."

Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, "This is another important step forward in our efforts to remove blight and create new tax base downtown. We are pleased to partner with Senator Farley, the County and Metroplex on yet another unified economic development project to move Schenectady forward."

Robert T. Farley, Minority Leader of the Schenectady County Legislature said, "This is an excellent enhancement to the Broadway corridor which is fast becoming a strong asset for our business development efforts in Schenectady County."

County Legislator Gary Hughes, chair of the economic development and planning committee and a member of the County IDA Board said, "Demolition of this building and clearing of the site is costly but it is necessary to remove blight and to clear the way for more downtown private sector development."

City Council President Mark W. Blanchfield said, "This furthers our efforts to make Broadway an increasingly attractive gateway to Downtown, as well as the Mont Pleasant and Bellevue neighborhoods where business and residential opportunities abound."

The former Dorp Salvage and G&G Equipment buildings have been vacant for a number of years. Both buildings were evaluated for rehabilitation but in both cases deterioration is so severe that the buildings are not salvageable. The two buildings occupy almost a full block right at the foot of the Broadway entrance to Schenectady, just off of I-890.

Senator Farley is providing a grant of $250,000 toward the project. Both the City and County IDA’s will each provide $100,000. Metroplex will provide a $350,000 loan.

Demolition work at the site is extensive as both buildings are brick and masonry construction. Work is expected to begin in the spring and be complete later this year. The site will be landscaped following demolition work. Metroplex will aggressively market the new shovel ready parcel for either one large building or several smaller buildings on the four acre site. The site’s location immediately adjacent to I-890 with visibility by 60,000 cars each day makes it attractive to developers.

Metroplex is working closely with City and County officials to clean up several major gateways to the community including demolition of the long vacant Sunoco station at the corner of Liberty and Nott Terrace, demolition of the former Big N Plaza and clean up of the former Burgess Tank Farm at the entrance to Glenville. The County’s unified economic development team is also working to improve Erie Boulevard and the former Alco plant on the City’s waterfront.

"We have to improve these gateway sites to send the right message about Schenectady’s future. It is so important that we make a good first impression. We appreciate Senator Farley’s help and the full cooperation of the County and City IDA’s to improve the Broadway corridor," said Ray Gillen, Chair of Metroplex and Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning for Schenectady County.

More information may be obtained at http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org/