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Schenectady, N.Y., April 20, 2022 – The Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority today announced that the Swift Building located at 26 North Broadway in downtown Schenectady will be renovated by a new owner who has already attracted several new businesses to the historic building, including the Schenectady Greenmarket. The project will be reviewed this evening by the City Planning Commission. John Samatulski, owner of Urban Initiatives Group and a successful developer who has renovated a number of buildings downtown, recently purchased the Swift Building. The three-story structure is located between Pinhead Susan’s and 20 North, two popular downtown restaurants. A large Metroplex public parking lot is also located across the street. The building was once home to a meat packing company that used the rail line that is still active behind the building. The original portions of the Swift building were constructed in the 1800s with subsequent additions in the early 1900s. The Metroplex Board will consider a $50,000 grant to the project at its May meeting, including $25,000 for façade improvements including new lighting, awnings, masonry repairs and signage.
“The Metroplex grant will enable us to restore the building’s historical and architectural elements while also beautifying the façade with new lighting, signage and awnings,” said Samatulski. Another $25,000 will be used to renovate space and establish exterior signage for the Schenectady Greenmarket, Schenectady’s year-round farmers market located in downtown, which will use the space for market storage, office space, and food prep. The Schenectady Greenmarket will launch a new Food Box Program on May 1 that will provide lower-income Schenectady residents with fresh, local produce in small and large boxes available for pickup at the market or delivered to customers direct to their homes. The program is supported by a $20,000 grant from the Schenectady Foundation.
“We are excited to have a permanent location downtown to help enhance our operations and better serve our customers,” said Haley Viccaro, Board Chair of Schenectady Greenmarket. “While we’re outside City Hall for the outdoor market season and inside Proctors for the winter, this space is an ideal location for us to secure all our market items and equipment and have meeting space for our board and staff, especially while we’re adding several additional staff members to manage the market and our food box program.”
Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair, said, “We are pleased to work with John Samatulski on another renovation project and we thank the Schenectady Greenmarket for expanding their successful programs downtown.”
Metroplex provided a $25,000 start-up grant when the Schenectady Greenmarket was first established downtown. The market is now one of the largest in the Capital Region and is held each Sunday year-round.
The balance of the Swift Building will be used to provide space for small businesses.
John Samatulski said, “When renovations are completed, we expect to host about a dozen companies in a shared space format.”
A number of new businesses have already agreed to lease space at the building including Ally Roofing, LAZ Parking, WeStaff, the Barber Shop Builder, Chelsea’s Canvas, and The Beauty Bar.
