DSIC and Proctors Theatre Receive $200,000 State Grant for Downtown Facade/Housing Projects
The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) and Proctors Theater today announced the award of a $200,000 grant from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the Housing Trust Fund Corporation. The State selected the Schenectady application for funding under the new Main Street Program established to provide support for downtown renewal projects.
25 Businesses Agree to Invest and Grow in Upper Union Street
Metroplex and Upper Union Street Bid Partner to Improve Key City Corridor
Schenectady, N.Y., January 20, 2005 - Twenty-five businesses on Upper Union Street are planning investments totaling $449,100 to renovate and improve much of Schenectady’s Upper Union Street Shopping District under a new program sponsored by Metroplex and the Upper Union Street Business Improvement District (BID).
City IDA Reaches Agreement to Clean Up Peek Street Site
5 Acre Site will be Redeveloped as Part of College Park
Schenectady, N.Y., February 16, 2005 -- The City of Schenectady Industrial Development Agency (IDA) today announced an agreement to clean-up the Peek Street building destroyed by a fire in 1999. The five acre site will be redeveloped as part of the plan to convert the former Big N Retail Plaza into a new business park called College Park.
Facade Improvement Projects Move Forward
Three Downtown Buildings to Receive Facelifts
Schenectady, N.Y. - March 10, 2005 - Metroplex and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) today announced the approval of three façade projects that will provide a facelift for downtown Schenectady and continue the progress being made to rebuild and restore the central business district. Rudnicks at 308 State Street, Majestic Hair Salon at 147 Jay Street and the 440 Arts Center at 440 State Street received approval of façade matching grants worth a total of $75,000.
Creperie and French Bistro to Open on Jay Street
Latest Addition to Growing Arts and Entertainment District Downtown
Schenectady, N.Y., March 17, 2005 -- Metroplex and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) today announced plans to transform a vacant storefront at 181-183 Jay Street into a new French Bistro and Crêperie. Chez Daisie will feature made to order crepes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. A variety of croissant, bagel and baguette sandwiches will also be served along with salads and vegetarian selections. Chez Daisie will also offer flavored coffees, cappuccino,latéesand café au lait. The new café style restaurant will be open from 8 am to 9 pm weekdays, till 10 pm weekends and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
Mallozzis Begin Renovations on Broadway
$2 million Project Brings Villa Italia to Downtown Schenectady
Schenectady, N.Y., March 22, 2005 -- The Mallozzi Family has started renovations at 226 Broadway in downtown Schenectady transforming a key building in the City’s growing arts and entertainment district into a full-scale commercial bakery and retail outlet for the famous Villa Italia line of baked goods. In addition to pastries and cakes, the new facility will offer an extensive Italian Gelato menu and house an upscale coffee bar and lounge.
County IDA Agrees to Sell Campbell Plastics Plant
$500,000 Purchase Will Boost County/City Finances
Schenectady, NY, March 23, 2005 -- The Schenectady County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) today announced an agreement to sell the former Campbell Plastics Plant to a developer who will utilize the site for a mixed use development featuring new homes and new businesses. Sale of the property will net $500,000 for County and City taxpayers.
Schenectady Secures Federal Funds for Erie Boulevard
SCHENECTADY - City/County and Metroplex officials today joined to announce approval by the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) of $11.5 million in funding to improve Erie Boulevard. This funding will help transform the downtown Schenectady’s central artery into the Erie-Edison Corridor, a vibrant technology corridor that will build Schenectady’s business development potential.
Four Companies Set to Graduate from Business Incubator on Albany Street
All Four to Stay and Grow in Schenectady County
Schenectady, N.Y. - April 25, 2005 - Schenectady County officials today joined with the Schenectady County Community Business Center to announce that four companies are ready to graduate from the Business Incubator on Albany Street. All four companies will stay and grow in Schenectady County fulfilling the goal of the incubator to help nurture entrepreneurs and create new jobs and businesses in the County.
Base Closure List Maintains Key Missions and Jobs at Stratton Air National Guard Base
Schenectady, New York — May 13, 2005 -- Schenectady County officials today joined with the Schenectady Military Affairs Committee (SMAC) to review the impact of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) list on the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Glenville. The proposed list of base closures issued by the Pentagon today supports retaining the unique Polar Mission and ten ski-equipped C-130 aircraft at the local base.
VStream and Contec to Lease Space at Former Nova Bus Plant
Schenectady, N.Y., May 19, 2005 -- Town of Niskayuna officials joined Schenectady County leaders and Metroplex today to announce plans by two companies to lease space at the former Nova Bus Plant on Hillside Avenue. V Stream and Contec plan to lease over 63,000 square feet of space as efforts continue to re-use the former bus manufacturing plant. Once final leases are signed with these two tenants, the former Nova plant will be more than 70% occupied. The existing 190,000 square foot building and adjoining acreage is now called the Niskayuna Tech Park.
New Cinema and Office Complex Planned for Broadway and State Street in Downtown Schenectady
$10 million Complex Adds to Fast Growing Arts/Entertainment/Tech Corridor
Schenectady, N.Y., May 26, 2005 - Schenectady County and City leaders today joined with Metroplex to announce plans for a new $10 million cinema/office complex on the corner of State Street and Broadway in downtown Schenectady. The project adds to the rapid pace of development in the City which is being transformed by a major expansion at Proctors, new tech companies relocating downtown, loft housing, a new hotel and new dining and entertainment venues.
Five Artists to Become First Tenants at New Jay Studios in Downtown Schenectady
SCHENECTADY, NY --- Five working artists have agreed to lease space in the new Jay Studios complex which is set to open in downtown Schenectady in late July. Proctor's Theatre, The 440 Arts Center, Metroplex, the City of Schenectady and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation are partners in the Jay Studios project, part of an overall strategy to build a vibrant art and cultural scene in downtown Schenectady.
Katie O'Byrne's Irish Pub and Beyer Furs to Anchor Renovated Wall Street Building in Downtown Schenectady
Schenectady, N.Y., July 14, 2005 -- The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) today joined with City officials and Metroplex to announce that a NYC restaurant operator will convert more than 2,500 square feet of vacant space in downtown Schenectady into an Irish pub-style restaurant to be called Katie O'Byrne's. Beyer Furs, the oldest retail establishment in downtown Schenectady will also stay and grow in the City continuing the rapid pace of redevelopment downtown. Both companies plan to occupy space at the Wall Street Building at the corner of State Street and Erie Boulevard which will undergo a $1 million renovation.
Stratton Announces Expansion of Schenectady's Federal Renewal Community
HUD Approves RC Expansion, Gives Schenectady $60 million in Federal Tax Credits for Job Creation Projects
SCHENECTADY, NY -- Mayor Brian U. Stratton today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved a major expansion of Schenectady's federally designated Renewal Community (RC), making a large portion of downtown Schenectady eligible for more than $60 million in federal tax credits through the end of 2009.
Tailwind Associates Relocates to Schenectady
Erie Boulevard Adds Tech Company
Schenectady, N.Y., August 8, 2005 City and County officials today joined with Metroplex to announce that Tailwind Associates, a fast growing software and information technology company, will move its corporate headquarters to Schenectady County bringing 70 jobs to the Erie - Edison Tech Corridor in downtown Schenectady.
Another Building in Downtown Schenectady Slated for Renovation - Boboreno's Coming to Corner of Smith and Clinton
Schenectady, N.Y., August 10, 2005 Metroplex today joined with City and County leaders to announce plans for another key building to be renovated and added to the tax rolls continuing the rapid pace of development downtown.
Williams Scotsman Signs Lease for Campbell Plastics Site
National Modular Office Space Company Will Establish New Facility in Schenectady
Schenectady, NY, August 17, 2005 -- Metroplex today joined with City and County officials to announce that Williams Scotsman Inc. will build a 7,000 square foot facility at the site of the former Campbell Plastics Plant in Schenectady creating ten new jobs. In addition, the sale of the property by the County IDA, which is administered by Metroplex, will net $500,000 for City and County taxpayers.
Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy to Train State Parole Officers
Schenectady, N.Y., September 14, 2005 Schenectady County leaders today announced that the Senator Hugh T. Farley Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy on Erie Boulevard in downtown Schenectady has been selected to train over 40 new State Parole Officers. Many of the trainees will stay at the Holiday Inn in Schenectady. The new Parole Officers will receive training in police and criminal justice best practices at the newly renovated police training center. The first class of parole trainees will be in Schenectady this fall with additional classes planned for next spring.
City IDA Reaches Agreement to Pay $334,000 to Schenectady
Schenectady, N.Y., September 30, 2005 — The City of Schenectady Industrial Development Agency (IDA) met today and approved an agreement with the City of Schenectady that calls for the IDA to repay $334,000 in old debts. The IDA also corrected an existing payment in lieu of tax agreement (PILOT) that will net the City/County and school district an additional $146,000.
Former WMHT Studio to be Transformed into Tech Center
Building Purchased by Venture Capitalist
Schenectady, N.Y., October 11, 2005 -- Schenectady County leaders today announced plans to re-use the former WMHT Studios just weeks after the 29,000 square foot facility was vacated by the public television station.
Rotterdam Manufacturer to Expand / $1.3 Million Investment will Boost Production and Create 9 New Jobs
Schenectady, N.Y., October 25, 2005 -- Schenectady County officials joined with Metroplex today to announce the expansion of New York Rubber Recycling located at the Rotterdam Industrial Park. Metroplex has received a $500,000 grant from New York State's Environmental Investment Program that will be matched by $839,000 in company funding to expand capacity at the Rotterdam plant.
Railex Coming to Rotterdam / Schenectady County Wins $18 Million Investment and 300 New Jobs
Schenectady County Wins $18 Million Investment/300 New Jobs
Schenectady, N.Y., October 26, 2005 -- Schenectady County officials today announced that Railex LLC has selected the Rotterdam Industrial Park in the Town of Rotterdam, Schenectady County for a new 200,000 square foot, $18 million facility that will create 300 jobs. The facility will serve as the East Coast hub for a new freight train service that will save millions of gallons of fuel each year while moving food products via rail across the United States by train instead of tractor trailer.
GE Energy to Invest $5 MIllion in Energy Learning Center in Niskayuna
Niskayuna, N.Y., November 1, 2005 -- Schenectady County officials today joined with the Town of Niskayuna and the Schenectady County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to announce plans by GE Energy to invest $5 million to expand the Energy Learning Center in Niskayuna.
Business Loan Fund Expands - $650,000 Available to Help Schenectady Companies Grow
SCHENECTADY, N.Y., November 2, 2005 - Schenectady County officials today announced plans to expand a loan fund designed to help Schenectady firms get started, expand and add jobs. Thirteen financial institutions have pledged $50,000 each for a total of $650,000 in new financing for the Schenectady County Business Loan Fund.
Metroplex Extends Free Parking at Surface Lots to Three Hours from Now till New Years
Schenectady, N.Y., November 29, 2005 -- Metroplex today announced that five surface parking lots in the heart of downtown Schenectady will extend free parking from two to three hours now through New Year's Day.
Direct Products Buys Former Freihofer Distribution Facility on Albany Street
Distribution Firm Plans Expansion in Schenectady
Schenectady, NY, - December 20, 2005 - Direct Products, a national distributor of party supplies, has purchased the former Freihofer’s Distribution Center on Albany Street. The company will relocate its offices and distribution center from Troy to the Albany Street facility investing more than $300,000 to purchase and renovate the new Schenectady site.