Crisafulli Associates took the first steps toward breaking ground on new projects in the Town of Colonie, including a new apartment complex and a second office building along Albany Shaker Road.
Crisafulli Associates received concept acceptance from the town planning board for its two new projects in Colonie. The first project consists of a two-building apartment complex on Aviation Road. The second is another office building on Albany Shaker Road that will sit beside the Crisafullis’ current office/medical building.
The apartments, which will be named the Residences at The Crossings, according to Mike Crisafulli, will eventually consist of 152 units, split into a 46-unit building and a second with 106 units. Construction will be completed in two phases, the first on the 46-unit building, projected to commence this summer and be completed by spring 2016.
Since Aviation Road is located within walking distance of The Crossings park, the Rudy A. Ciccotti Center, and Colonie Center, the location is ideal for tenants, said Crisafulli.
“The idea behind the Crossings Apartments is to create a community in which residents can walk right our their homes and into the park, the Rude A. Ciccotti Center, or one of the many businesses along the Wolf Road corridor,” Crisafulli said. “The project really exemplifies the town’s comprehensive plan goals of creating a pedestrian-friendly environment.”
The buildings will be three-stories each and include amenities like a full-time staff, garages, fitness and business centers, lounges, and community kitchens and gardens, said Crisafulli.
“We are really excited about it because we believe it’s a great project that really offers a unique living experience,” Crisafulli said.
The proposed 18,000 square foot office building at 407 Albany Shaker Road in Loudonville is the third phase in the Loudon Square project, which currently consists of the office/medical building on the neighboring property and a Berkshire Bank branch. While the new building will sit next to the an existing office that opened in 2010, the two buildings will remain separate in businesses.
Town designated engineer Joe Grasso said the largest concern of the project is the pedestrian access to a neighboring bus stop on Albany Shaker. With the grading along the front of the building, any walkways would be difficult to make handicap accessible.
As well, residents near the rear of the property voiced concerns over fencing and visibility, but they were told fencing would be addressed as the site plans further solidify.
For both projects, the next step is working toward final site plan approval from the planning board. Renderings of the apartments and office building can be found on the Crisafulli Associates website at www.crisafulliassociates.com.
