Schenectady, N.Y., May 20, 2010 — At the ribbon cutting for the new $5 million John D. Marcella and Sons Appliance Store, Schenectady County officials today joined Highbridge Development to announce plans for a new 22,000 square foot building valued at more than $3.4 million at the site located directly next door to Marcella’s in the Broadway Commerce Park in downtown Schenectady.
“New development, new jobs, and new investment in Schenectady County is what we’ve been working for over the past six years as we’ve turned this community around,” said Susan E. Savage, Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature. “The grand opening of Marcella’s and the announcement of this new building are more signs of the rebirth of Schenectady County as businesses continue to invest here.”
John Roth, CEO of Highbridge Development said, “We are pleased to move forward with this new project. The new building will house a growing tech company and it means an additional $3.4 million investment by our company in the fast growing Broadway corrididor.
Highbridge Development worked closely with Metroplex to develop the Broadway Commerce Park as part of Schenectady County’s economic development efforts. The business park is now home to Griffin Greenhouse, Marcella’s Appliances, Quality Roofing, Plank Construction Services and two office buildings that are fully leased. Over 200,000 square feet of new and renovated space has been created along the Broadway Corridor since 2004 transforming what had been vacant lots and an abandoned salvage yard into a thriving business park at a major entrance to the City of Schenectady, directly off of I-890.
The new building will feature a mix of office and lab space. It will be located directly next door to the new Marcella’s Appliance Building.
The space is being prepared for a tech company that wants to take occupancy later this year. Work will start immediately with a fall completion date. The name of the tenant will be released at a later date. The tenant has agreed to a long – term lease.
Highbridge Development also constructed Marcella’s new 16,750 square foot facility that will house the large appliance dealer’s new showroom and distribution center. The Marcella’s investment totals $2.4 million in construction costs, over $400,000 in interior fit-up and more than $2 million in inventory on display at the new location at 560 Broadway just off of I-890 in downtown Schenectady.
Ray Gillen, Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning for Schenectady County and Chair of Metroplex said, “We are so pleased to see Marcella’s open and announce another new building for the Broadway Commerce Park. This is further proof of the momentum that is carrying our economic development efforts forward.”