Schenectady, N.Y., May 12, 2026 — The Board of Directors of the Capital Region Land Bank met this evening and approved new housing developments in Schenectady County.
“The Land Bank’s goal is to replace blighted, vacant structures with high quality housing that Schenectady County residents can afford,” said Richard Ruzzo, Chair of the Land Bank and Deputy Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “Tonight, we are pleased to move forward with ten new homes and one renovation project boosting Schenectady County neighborhoods.”
In 2023, Metroplex and the Land Bank demolished three blighted vacant buildings on Van Vranken Avenue on the city’s northside to prepare the site for future development. The first new town home has been built on the site and contracts have been signed to build three more homes.
The Land Bank Board this evening approved $432,000 to help fund the construction of eight more homes on Van Vranken Avenue. Each home features either two or three bedrooms and two full baths, with approximately 1,500 sq ft of living space, private drive, garage, and back yard. Due to the Land Bank’s support, the developer will keep the final sale price of each new home at $299,900 or less.
“We are proud to fund eight more homes on Van Vranken. We are turning a site that was home to vacant, blighted buildings into new homes for Schenectady families,” Ruzzo said. “This also adds to development momentum on the northside including the $120 million Northside Village redevelopment and new single family home construction development by Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County on Carrie St, Gerling St, and Avenue A.”
The Land Bank also approved a $7,000 grant to Better Community Neighborhoods Inc. (BCNI) to stabilize 333 Germania Avenue and a grant of $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County to construct a new home at 313 Schenectady Street where the Land Bank recently worked with the City of Schenectady to demolish a blighted structure.
In Rotterdam Junction, at 1233 Main Street, Metroplex and the Land Bank demolished another long vacant building that was a major eyesore on the main thoroughfare along Route 5S. The Land Bank will provide a $50,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity to construct a new single-family home at this location.
The Capital Region Land Bank develops housing and supports neighborhood redevelopment projects in the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County, and the City of Amsterdam.
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