Schenectady, N.Y, May 14, 2026 – The Board of Directors of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority met last night and approved three new projects.
“After board approval, we are now moving forward with construction of a new childcare center in Niskayuna, two new buildings on Maxon Road and new parking for lower State Street,” said Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair.
Starting in Niskayuna, the Board approved a project by Spraragen Partners to build a new 5,600 square foot facility at 46 Commerce Park Drive in the Niskayuna Commerce Park.
The total project budget is $2,450,000. The new childcare center was awarded a $500,000 grant from Empire State Development. Metroplex’s participation involves an exemption on sales taxes for purchases associated with the new building construction as well as a payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreement that will create new tax revenue.
The construction of the facility is beginning immediately as all local and state required approvals are in hand. The new childcare center is located in close proximity to major technology employers in the Town and one of the largest employment centers in the Capital Region including GE Vernova, GE Aerospace, GE Healthcare, E/One, KAPL, and others.
The Board also approved moving forward with a plan to construct two new buildings on the riverfront at a 3.5-acre site on Maxon Road. The first is a 6,000 square foot office building that will serve as home of ABD Engineers & Surveyors, LLP, a civil engineering, and land surveying firm based in Schenectady. The company has outgrown its existing space on Union Street. The new building will feature a veranda with river views.
The second building is a 35,000 square foot warehouse that will be owned and operated by Tim Barber, a Wilton, New York-based construction and development professional and owner of JAG Group LLC. Mr. Barber and JAG have worked on many commercial and industrial developments in the region. The new structure will feature warehouse/storage space for growing businesses.
The combined $3.9 million development also involves relocation of a section of the existing bike trail that connects the Empire State Trail and the ALCO Heritage Trail. The trail now runs
along Maxon Road without a fixed separation from the busy roadway. It will be relocated to a fenced area along the riverfront.
Metroplex is providing a $95,000 grant for the project, plus an exemption from sales tax and a payment in lieu tax agreement for the new office building that will create new tax revenue.
The board also moved forward with plans for a new parking lot on lower State Street. With new developments including renovations to the Wedgeway Building and Electric City Community Grocery Store, Metroplex is working with property owners to improve and expand parking lots that serve lower State Street including major lots on both sides of Liberty Street between Erie Boulevard and South Church Street. A contract for $156,100 was approved with CHA Consulting to finalize plans and prepare bid documents to improve these surface lots with plans to issue bids later this year.
Metroplex is the lead economic development agency in Schenectady County. The public authority invests a small portion of County sales tax revenue in capital projects that create new sales tax, property tax, and jobs.
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