Schenectady, N.Y., December 17, 2025 – The Metroplex Board of Directors met this evening and approved three development projects in Schenectady County. The Board also approved a number of contracts and grant agreements.
The Board approved a sales tax exemption for building materials and supplies that will be used by 100 Nott LLC, the new owners of the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Schenectady. The owners plan a $2.4 million upgrade of the 120-room hotel, pool, restaurant, and conference space that will start in 2026.
Todd Garafano, Executive Director of Discover Schenectady said, “The DoubleTree by Hilton in Downtown Schenectady is an important asset to the tourism market in Schenectady County. The DoubleTree attracts business travelers, families, sports teams, and Proctors cast and crew and with this renovation it will continue to be a popular lodging choice.”
Also in downtown Schenectady, the Board approved a $40,000 façade matching grant to revitalize a vacant building at 145 Barrett Street. The new owners plan to create three loft apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floors floor with commercial space on the first floor. The building will be called the “Brick and Blues Lofts” to honor a jazz club that occupied the building years ago. Schenectady-based developers Jeff McCutcheon and Peter Montalto successfully converted a neighboring building at 148 Barrett Street into eight new apartments last year.
Barrett Street is seeing new development with the recent opening of Toni’s Wine Bar at 158 Barrett and work underway to convert the former Public Defenders Building into apartments and ground floor retail space. This building has entrances on both State Street and Barrett Street. Financing for the project at 145 Barrett Street is being provided by Arrow Bank.
The Board also gave final approval for an expansion at BelGioioso in Glenville. Governor Hochul and Empire State Development recently announced a new $23 million investment at BelGioioso facilities in Glenville and in Campbell, NY.
Metroplex is providing a $150,000 grant and a sales tax exemption for the Glenville expansion which includes an investment of more than $11 million at the company’s 96,000 square foot manufacturing plant and 120,00 square foot distribution facility.
A grant agreement for $321,000 was approved for the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC). This is an annual grant to the downtown business improvement district to support efforts seven days a week to keep downtown clean and well landscaped.
In addition, the Board approved another $100,000 that can be made available to support other key commercials areas in the County where upgrades are planned. This funding can be awarded at future meetings to groups such as the Upper Union Street BID, the Scotia BID or other neighborhood groups interested in implementing improvement projects.
Finally, the Board approved an accounting services contract with Menna Company CPA and Advisors LLP not to exceed $44,000. It also approved a renewal of the lease for Metroplex’s office space at the Center City office and the Authority’s parking budget.
Metroplex is the lead economic development agency in Schenectady County. It coordinates the County’s unified development team and invests a small portion of sales revenue in capital projects that bring new investment, jobs, and tax base to Schenectady County.
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