Niskayuna officials are hoping to add seven areas to add the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority’s service districts. Town Planner Kathy Matern gave a presentation on the commercial areas slated to fall under Metroplex’s umbrella of assistance before a public hearing on the proposal during the Town Board meeting on Tuesday, March 27. After adding the areas, businesses would be able to apply for grant opportunities and loans, façade or other facility improvements and work with Metroplex on developing a business plan. Metroplex service districts cover most of the City of Schenectady and other towns, but comparatively little of the Town of Niskayuna. “This was very effective in our ShopRite Square and I think it is a great idea,” Councilwoman Julie McDonnell said. One of the larger areas up for inclusion is the town center, which includes businesses such as Niskayuna Co-op Market and surrounding businesses, Trustco Bank strip mall, CVS Pharmacy, the old Town Hall, two law offices and two gas stations. This change would expand the area at ShopRite Square area and to the surrounding businesses. The Niskayuna portion of Upper Union Street would also be added, which includes a convenience store, banks, office buildings, a hair salon and doctor and dentist offices. Another area being eyed is around Balltown Road and Consaul Road, an area that includes a Niskayuna Square, with a Hannaford Supermarket, a bank and credit union, Stewart’s and other small businesses. Mohawk Commons and the still developing Mansion Square were also included in the plan.
Bill Chapman, Board of Directors member of Metroplex and former town councilman, said he supported adding the areas to the authority’s service district. “The main goal of taking this action would be to place businesses in Niskayuna on the same footing as other businesses in the county,” Chapman said. “I think anyone who’s driven around downtown Schenectady has certainly seen the improvements not only in the architecture, but in the job development that has happened in our community.” He said Metroplex has approved project grants, expenditures and loans totaling more than $143 million. Metroplex has funded 155 façade grants countywide, but he said Niskayuna has yet to receive one. “We haven’t had as many areas placed in the Metroplex Service District,” he said. “We do have some business in the Town of Niskayuna I think would benefit from this (façade program).” Metroplex originally had a service district totaling 24 square miles along Routes 5 and 7, centering at downtown Schenectady, but Metroplex has expanded its influence to around 85 square miles. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, Schenectady County is nearly 205 square miles. The largest portions of the county not under development area coverage are in Duanesburg and Princetown. Last year, Chairman of Metroplex Ray Gillen said Niskayuna fixed its three most blighted areas, the former St. James Square being the largest, so he said the town is looking to continue its progress. “Niskayuna has been very careful about developments and wants develop in areas were they can replace empty buildings and empty space,” Gillen said. “It is a very careful smart growth strategy and they are trying to continue that in adding in other areas.” Resident Leslie Gold commended Gillen’s leadership at Metroplex, but was concerned what could happen once Gillen leaves his post. Gold said previous leadership was determined to get projects approved that were “inconsistent” with the town’s vision. Gold also expressed concern toward adding Residential and Professional zoned areas into the expansion, in particular on Balltown Road where she argued there are traffic issues already. “We already have major traffic problems that are unresolved,” Gold said. “We don’t know when they will be resolved, because most of it is dependent on the state.” Gillen said the next area the town is focusing on redeveloping is the former Korean United Methodist Church of Albany, which is located near the corner of Balltown Road and River Road. “That is a prime corner,” Gillen said. “There is some issues with the property but it is now vacant and it needs to be looked at and addressed.” Supervisor Joe Landry said the church is on a commercially zoned parcel and the town is working with the owners to make it a “productive piece of property.” Since there is some work needed at the property, Landry said Metroplex could provide assistance to a future tenant. “What we are trying to do is to get that corner into the Metroplex service area to attract tenants and developers,” Landry said. “That is the area right now that we are looking at.” Landry and Gillen stressed the town is only looking at developing areas that are currently zoned for commercial or retail use. “We are a small county to begin with so the attempt is to not get into residential areas,” Gillen said. “It is taking the existing commercial corridors and existing commercial districts and trying to make sure they are occupied and in good condition and make sure they are thriving.”