Metroplex Board Acts on Parking, Brownfield Clean-Up and Funding for More Neighborhood Improvements

Schenectady, N.Y., October 14, 2015 – The Schenectady County Metroplex Board of Directors met today and approved a number of projects.

The Board approved amending the existing parking agreement between Metroplex and Omni Development for parking for state agency tenants. The agreement will be expanded to include 100 more parking spaces to accommodate state employees from the NYS Gaming Commission, the Office of Children and Family Services and additional Workers Compensation Board staff who will be relocated from expired leased space in Menands to 328 State Street in downtown Schenectady.

Mayor Gary R. McCarthy said, “We thank Governor Cuomo and OGS Commissioner Destito for bringing more state employees to downtown Schenectady.”

Metroplex owns nine (9) parking lots and a parking garage with 1,100 spaces. For more information, see www.parkschenectady.com.

In other action, the Board approved a contract award to Land Remediation of Averill Park, NY for $766,848.50. The company provided the low bid of three bids submitted.  The project is 90% funded by a NYS DEC grant from the Environmental Remediation Program.  The funding is being used to clean-up a brownfield site on Van Guysling Avenue in downtown Schenectady.

The Board approved a $20,000 grant to help fund improvements on Eastern Avenue where the former St. Mary’s Church is being renovated. The funding will be used to make improvements to the sidewalk and install a water line needed for the project.

Metroplex also announced plans to acquire 839 Eastern Avenue for $15,000. The property is vacant and is in very poor condition. Metroplex plans to sell the property to a developer who will convert the building into six market rate apartments investing more than $200,000 into the property.

Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “839 Eastern is now a very distressed property.  We are pleased to be moving forward with this project that will help our neighborhood revitalization efforts by rescuing a building that badly needs repair.”

Metroplex is working with the City of Schenectady and the Capital Region Land Bank to renovate properties in the Eastern Avenue neighborhood while demolishing other buildings that are beyond repair.