Schenectady, N.Y. — Schenectady County leaders today welcomed the news that NYS Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood has approved a $2 million grant to the Capital Region Land Bank to continue neighborhood revitalization efforts.
Richard Ruzzo, Capital Region Land Bank Chairman and a member of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “We are honored to receive this funding and look forward to continuing the Land Bank’s work in revitalizing our neighborhoods. We are very grateful to Attorney General Underwood and Enterprise Community Partners for their continued support.”
“We have more investment headed to Schenectady County neighborhoods than any time in recent memory,” Ruzzo said. “Over $60 million in new investment in our neighborhoods is complete and we have over $80 million in development. The Land Bank is proud of its work to move these projects forward creating meaningful change in our neighborhoods.”
The Land Bank has partnered with Schenectady County, the City of Schenectady and Metroplex to demolish over 160 blighted buildings while improving dozens of homes and creating high quality housing. The Land Bank is leading efforts to improve the Eastern Avenue corridor including the new Tribute Park, renovations at many commercial and residential properties as well as targeted demolitions of blighted buildings. This past year, the Land Bank played a key role in the successful renovation of the former DSS building on Nott Street, the renovation of the former Annie Schaffer Senior Center on Nott Terrace and the construction of a new Library branch on Crane Street following the demolition of the notorious Chubby’s convenience store. A number of demolitions were also completed in Rotterdam and Rotterdam Junction.
David Hogenkamp, Executive Director of the Capital Region Land Bank said, “With this new funding, we will work with the Mont Pleasant Merchants Association to assist with the implementation of the recently completed NYS Main Street program to renovate buildings and homes while removing blighted properties. The Land Bank will also work alongside the Schenectady Housing Authority in the Northside neighborhood to eliminate blight proximate to the planned $24 million revitalization of Yates Village. Another project focus will be implementation of the $19 million Renaissance Square development on Eastern Avenue as well as Hillside View Phase II, a planned $40 million investment in Hamilton Hill.”
The $2 million grant was funded by Enterprise Community Partners and was made possible by a bank settlement negotiated by the NYS Attorney General.
The Land Bank is administered by the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority and serves Schenectady County and the City of Amsterdam. More information including listings of homes and side lots for sale may be found at www.capitalregionlandbank.com.
Contact:
Joe McQueen
Director of Communications, Schenectady County
(518) 388-4772