The Metroplex Board of Directors met on November 12th and approved $300,000 for the Stockade Gateway Project.

In support of the Schenectady Heritage Foundation and the Stockade Neighborhood, this project involves renovating the Stockade Gateway in downtown Schenectady, at the intersection of Union Street and Erie Boulevard. The Gateway, with a granite monument and pavers, was constructed in 1998 under the design leadership of the well-known architect, Stockade resident, and charter member of the Schenectady Heritage Foundation, Werner Feibes.

Metroplex was asked to honor the intent of the original gateway design with this project. The project incorporates the following design features:

• New landscaping and trees adding more greenspace to the Gateway area.
• A new plaza that will surround a bronze sculpture of Elizabeth Gillette, to be installed at the south corner of Union Street, where the Gillette House can be seen in the background. Dr. Gillette was a notable figure in Schenectady’s history. She moved to Schenectady in 1900 at the age of 25 after graduating New York Medical College and became the first licensed female surgeon in Schenectady County. Later, she became the first woman elected to the New York State Assembly. Her former home is located at the corner of South College and Union Street.
• LAnd Art Studio, a Schenectady-based landscape architect, completed the design for the project.
• Metroplex publicly bid the project, and four bids were received. The lowest qualified bid of $245,000 was received from Tote Construction Services, based in Rotterdam. Metroplex recently worked with Tote Construction on the Jay Street Pedestrian Walkway improvements.
• Plans will be completed this winter so that construction can begin next Spring.
• The City of Schenectady received a $125,000 grant from Congressman Tonko’s toward the cost of the project.