Bill Hebert of BBL Development was the featured speaker at the Thursday, Sept. 26, Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce breakfast with close to 100 business leaders and residents quizzing the Vista Park developer about the future of the 440-acre tech park to be built in Bethlehem.
Hebert told civic leaders what to expect in the first phase of development, which is slated to begin in just a few months.
A collection of shops and retail near the roundabout will start the park, said Hebert, referring to the planned development just behind the Price Chopper Plaza in Slingerlands.
The first group of buildings will be what Hebert calls `low rise` buildings of no more than three stories with a mix of general office space, shops, restaurants and office buildings for rent.
`We are talking about having buildings under construction by next spring,` said Hebert.
When asked who the first tenant in the park might be, Hebert said there are some tech-based and general office businesses that have shown a strong interest, including GE Medical.
`If we could land one or two of those in the near future, the rest should follow,` Hebert said.
Vista Tech Park is in the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland with 90 acres, or 1.4 million square feet, developable at full build-out.
The number of jobs expected to be generated by businesses at Vista is estimated in the thousands over several years, according to a study conducted by Camoin Associates, which was hired by BBL developers.
There will be no new jobs until the third year of development, when 395 direct jobs are anticipated. More than 3,950 direct jobs and 7,498 total jobs are anticipated by the 12th year, according to the report. Direct jobs are jobs brought by new development in the Vista Park. Total jobs is the number of jobs created, included spin-off jobs from the overall tech park development.
`There will be a substantial economic impact over 20 years,` said Hebert.
Audience members asked if the development will be energy efficient and when the pedestrian trail will be built on the site.
Hebert responded that many buildings in Vista Tech Park would use modern energy savings technology, and discussion on a pedestrian trail inside Vista Park is in the very preliminary stage.
The town of Bethlehem is working with developers to extend water and sewer lines to the park. Developers are paying for the cost of those extensions and utility that is needed.
`We are spending money, and it’s quite a considerable investment,` Hebert said.
Vista Tech Park is located in an Empire Zone and is eligible for several tax incentives from the state. When asked what rent would be for new tenants, Hebert said it will be `competitive.`
BBL is in the process of setting up a Web site for residents to review information on Vista Park progress. The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce will have a link to the Vista site on its own Web site in the next few weeks.
Chamber president Marty DeLaney said she was pleased with the turnout and the information Hebert provided.
`I was very encouraged, particularly by comments from people in the room,` said DeLaney.
Vista has already received state environmental quality review approval. Media will be invited to tour the site in mid-October.“