The Galesi Group is cooking up enhancements to a former state bakery and warehouse in the Rotterdam Corporate Park in a project that is hoped to spur economic development.
The Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority on Wednesday, Jan. 16, announced Galesi Group had committed $2 million to upgrade the 260,000-square-foot facility known as Building 14. Extensive renovations are planned to include replacing the roof, installing new truck dock canopies, exterior painting, new siding and upgrading the building’s interior. County officials are hoping renovations will spur additional companies to move in to the remaining space available.
Schenectady County Legislature Chairwoman Judy Dagostino applauded redevelopment of a “key building” in Rotterdam.
“The Rotterdam Corporate Park is the source of many jobs and opportunities for county residents,” Dagostino said in a statement. “This investment of $2 million will help us to continue our effort to attract more tenants and more jobs to the former state bakery building.”
The building had served as a bakery and warehouse for the state Office of General Services, and operations stopped in 1995. Metroplex has helped OGS surplus the building and prepare it for sale.
Three companies are now in the warehouse: TR America, a major distributor of construction parts and equipment; J&B Importers, Inc., a large distributor of bicycle parts; and Distribution Unlimited, a third-party logistics company owned by the Galesi Group.
Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen said renovations would provide space for new tenants. The building has rail service and several truck docks. The sale of the building is expected to be finalized by March 2014.
“This $2 million investment is part of our commitment to work with Schenectady County and the Town of Rotterdam to continue to attract new jobs and new companies to the largest business park in the Capital Region,” David Buicko, chief operating officer of Galesi Group, said in a statement.
Metroplex entered into a master lease agreement with FG Rotterdam Holdings LLC, an affiliate of the Galesi Group, in 2008. The agreement saw Galesi making lease payments totaling $1 million to Metroplex, which it used to purchase the building from the state. Galesi then had the option through the lease to purchase the building before 2017.