518-377-9430
Schenectady, N.Y., May 17, 2016 – Mopco LLC, parent company of The Mop & Bucket Co. improv theater now based at Proctors, has purchased 10 North Jay Street and will relocate to the building after completing renovations.
Mopco will use the renovated building to host performances, classes for adults, education programs for youth, and rehearsals. It will serve as a new meeting and arts venue in downtown Schenectady, and as the headquarters of Koppett, Mopco’s corporate training and development wing. The first floor will be used as performance space while the second floor will house offices and support operations.
Michael Burns, founder of Mopco, said, “Our years in residence at Proctors have been critical to our growth and development. Our classes, our improv audience, and our international consultancy have enjoyed tremendous growth. Now that it’s time to leave the Proctors nest, we are delighted to be continuing to fly in downtown Schenectady.”
Burns’ spouse and fellow improviser Kat Koppett is the driving force behind the organizational development side of Mopco. Clients include regional companies including MVP, GE, and CapCom, as well as international clients such as Facebook, Apple, and Prezi. The company uses improv and story techniques to develop leaders and train managers.
10 North Jay Street has been vacant for many years. The building, a former firehouse, is located at a strategic location in downtown Schenectady near the corner of Union Street and North Jay Street. Renovating this space as a new performing arts venue continues the development momentum on lower Union Street, assists the growth of Little Italy and improves a building in an area which connects downtown to the Mohawk Harbor site.
The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority will review a $60,000 grant toward renovation costs at its June meeting. Mopco will be investing close to $500,000 in the project.
Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “Mopco has exciting plans and we are pleased to work with them to renovate this historic building into a great new arts venue for downtown.”
The renovation team for 10 North Jay includes AKW Consulting, Bonacquisti Brothers Construction, Arket Electric, Pinnacle Roofing, and several other local contractors. Reform Architecture drew up the plans. Key Bank is providing financing. Work is slated to begin as soon as approvals are received, hopefully by the end of the month. The project will be reviewed by the City Planning Commission this week.
“We’d love to have the doors open for the Little Italy Street Fest,” Burns said. “We want to celebrate with our great new neighbors.”
10 North Jay Street
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Metroplex contact: Ray Gillen, 518-377-1109
Mopco contact: Michael Burns, 518-248-7430