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New Building at 724 State Street, Renovations at 302 State Street
SCHENECTADY, NY (September 29, 2017) The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority today announced that a new 22,500 square foot building is under construction at 724 State Street. Once completed in 2018, New Choices Recovery Center will relocate to 724 State Street and 302 State Street currently owned and occupied by New Choices will be sold, renovated and placed back on the tax rolls.
“New Choices Recovery Center has been a premier provider of health services to the Schenectady community for nearly 50 years,” said Dr. Stuart Rosenblatt, Executive Director. “We are truly excited to be underway with the construction of our new facility. The new building is just a few blocks from our current location and the new construction will continue the revitalization efforts on the 700 block of State Street. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for their funding support for our new building.”
Highbridge Development, based in Schenectady, is developing the project for New Choices with its construction arm, Plank Construction Services, constructing the project. Once the project is completed, Highbridge Development will purchase 302 State Street from New Choices and begin renovations on the five-story 30,000 square foot space.
Highbridge Development builds, owns and manages commercial properties in Upstate New York. The company is currently building the $20 million Electric City Apartments in downtown Schenectady and has constructed and renovated a number of buildings and properties throughout Schenectady County. Some of Highbridge’s projects are Time Warner Cable’s Northeast Regional Headquarters, SEFCU Square, Cold Brook Plaza and Mansion Square.
John Roth, Chief Executive Officer of Highbridge Development said, “Our company has been investing in Schenectady since 1999 and we are pleased to continue these efforts by constructing the new building at 724 State while we begin to renovate and restore the former Masonic Temple at 302 State. Both projects will continue the momentum in downtown Schenectady and we are proud to be a part of it.”
The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority is providing an exemption from sales tax for building materials for both projects. Metroplex will also work with the developer to list 302 State Street on the Historic Register.
Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “We thank Governor Cuomo and NYS OASAS for the funding to construct a new building for New Choices which then allows us to renovate 302 State.
We also thank New Choices and Highbridge Development for these new investments which help us continue the progress downtown.”
The former Masonic Temple at 302 State Street was built in 1912. The building was purchased by the Masons in 1919.
Metroplex won the 2016 NYS Excellence in Historic Preservation Award for the redevelopment of 845 Broadway. In total, Metroplex has assisted with the renovation of more than 70 historic buildings in Schenectady County.
Photo credits: Postcard courtesy of Jennifer Medler; photo center courtesy of Schenectady County Public Library; photo right, Metroplex
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