Downtown Schenectady building to be ready by fall
Schenectady County continued to see job growth as M/E Engineering, P.C. selected the renovated Center City building in downtown Schenectady for their Capital District office, bringing more technical jobs to the county.
The company will occupy the fourth floor in the west wing of the building totaling 10,000 square feet with options available to expand for future growth. M/E Engineering’s expertise is in designing mechanical and electrical systems for large building and energy projects. A large number of the firm’s staff is trained in Leadership in Energy and Environmental design. Also, they are an Energy Star provider and a member of the Green Building Council.
This firm is one of the fastest growing and most successful engineering companies in Northeastern United States, said Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, chairwoman of Schenectady County legislature. `This project brings 30 jobs to Schenectady County with the potential to grow to 50 jobs. This latest job announcement is further proof that our community is leading the way in terms of new jobs and investments.`
Ray Gillen, chairman of Metroplex and commissioner of economic development in Schenectady County, said the company will provide good paying, professional jobs.
`[M/E Engineering] are a very well regarded engineering firm specializing in green buildings and advanced heating and cooling in buildings,` said Gillen.
Other tenants of Center City will be MVP Health Care, NBT Bank and a new branch for the Schenectady YMCA. The Center City project developed by the Galesi Group totals $30 million and brings 200,000 square feet for varied business usage.
Gillen said there were talks to rename the building, but the old name just seemed fit since it is in the heart of downtown Schenectady across from Proctors.
`There are a lot of technology companies and growing companies that are clustering in downtown Schenectady,` said Gillen. `It brings energy, it brings people and it brings jobs to the community.`
Based in Rochester, M/E Engineering has offices in Buffalo, Syracuse and Colonie. When additional space was needed for their local office, various locations were considered before Center City was selected. Metroplex will also be providing a $100,000 grant to reimburse the company for a portion of their lease expenses.
`We are excited about moving our capital region office to Schenectady and the opportunity this relocation will bring to M/E Engineering,` said Joe Straub, founding partner M/E Engineering and managing partner of the capital region office. `Schenectady is a business-friendly city with all of the amenities our employees deserve.`
Parts of Center City are open now, but the expansion right across from Proctors is planned to have construction finished by fall and businesses moved in by the end of the year. The new wing is a total of 50,000 square feet.“
