Governor Hochul announced today a series of County grants.  Schenectady County received $1 million to help fund the demolition of the former Glenhaven School in Glenville and build new single-family homes at the site.

Statements by Schenectady County Officials 

“We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for awarding this $1 million grant, which will help remove a long-vacant eyesore,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “Our unified economic development team worked closely with the Town of Glenville to put together a strong application, and we’re proud to see it pay off. This funding will remove a long-neglected structure and make way for high-quality single-family homes that will enhance the neighborhood.”

“I grew up in this neighborhood and remember when the school was a positive part of the community,” said Schenectady County Legislature Vice Chair Cathy Gatta, who represents Glenville, Scotia, and Niskayuna. “Though it’s been tough to see it sit empty for so long, this grant will help turn the long-abandoned site back into something the Town of Glenville and all of Schenectady County can be proud of.”

Acting Town Supervisor Robert Kirkham said, “We are thrilled to learn the news that the grant application prepared by the County’s economic development team led by Metroplex has been awarded a $1 million grant to demolish the former Glenhaven School on Cypress Drive.  We did not want to burden Town taxpayers with the cost of demolition so we worked closely with the County to submit this funding application.  With this news today, we eliminate one of the most blighted sites in the Town of Glenville and move toward a bright new future for the Cypress Road property.”

Background

Glenhaven Elementary School closed in 1981. It was part of the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake School District.  The school district used the facility for office space until 2008 when the site was closed permanently. The property was sold in 2016, but no development has taken place and the property located on Cypress Drive in Glenville continues to deteriorate.  The building is located on 38.8 acres. In recent years, the former school building has been badly damaged by vandalism.

(Former Glenhaven School)

(Former Glenhaven School)

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