Land Bank, Habitat for Humanity Turn Former Zombie Property at 906 Pennsylvania Avenue into Renovated Home for Sale

(Schenectady, N.Y) February 28, 2018 – The Capital Region Land Bank and Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County today announced that renovations are nearing completion at a home at 906 Pennsylvania Avenue in the City of Schenectady. The Land Bank is now ready to sell the property to a new homeowner and reinvest the sale proceeds into additional efforts to revitalize Schenectady’s neighborhoods.

Richard Ruzzo, Chair of the Capital Region Land Bank said, “The Land Bank is proud to present this newly renovated home to interested buyers. This property is a great example of our team’s hard work in rebuilding our neighborhoods building by building and home by home.” Mr. Ruzzo is also a member of the Schenectady County Legislature and Chair of the Legislature’s Neighborhood Revitalization Committee.

The four-bedroom, two-bath home with 2,360 square feet of space is located in Schenectady’s Mont Pleasant neighborhood. The property was donated to the Land Bank by the National Community Stabilization Trust. The Land Bank then applied for and received a $30,000 grant toward renovation costs from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which utilizes bank settlement funds to help communities deal with former zombie properties. The home was vacant for many years and needed a new kitchen, water heater and many other improvements. The newly renovated property features an updated kitchen, a new first floor bedroom with laundry room, a new deck, among other improvements. Habitat for Humanity volunteers worked with the Land Bank to renovate the property.

Madelyn Thorne, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County said, “This collaboration between the Land Bank and Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County has been a success for both organizations. By combining our resources, we can more efficiently and effectively rejuvenate our neighborhoods. We’re looking forward to continuing this partnership.”

Funds from the sale of 906 Pennsylvania Avenue will be reinvested into additional renovation projects between Habitat for Humanity and the Land Bank.

This renovation project is just one of many improvements currently underway in Mont Pleasant. The Land Bank has recently demolished twelve derelict buildings. The demolition project included the former Chubby’s convenience store, which was removed to make way for Schenectady County’s $2 million investment in the new Mont Pleasant Library Project. In addition, Habitat for Humanity is currently constructing two new homes on Davis Terrace.

The renovated home at 906 Pennsylvania will be sold to a family that will make this property their primary residence. Potential buyers should contact the Capital Region Land Bank at (518) 377-1109 ext. 7 or director@capitalregionlandbank.com.

More information may be found at www.capitalregionlandbank.com

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