There have been many exciting developments in our business community over the past several months. Here is a listing of some of the more significant projects that have positively impacted our Village and our economic well-being. In addition, there are some other projects planned for their near future.
DePaul Provincial House
The Daughters of Charity recently completed a $4 million renovation of their Mother House at 96 Menand Road. This project involved a total internal makeover of the facility which will now be used to provide long term care services for retired nuns as well as state-of-the-art living quarters for the other sisters.
Saginaw Lumber
This company relocated from Rotterdam to occupy the Former Wicks Building at the Menands Farmers’ Market. Saginaw is a wholesale distributor of lumber and lumber products and found the perfect size facility for their needs in Menands.
Menands Diner
After nearly six years of being vacant, the Diner has been purchased by a new owner who is undertaking the extensive rehabilitation of the site in order to reopen and serve Menands as well as the surrounding communities. The Diner was a very popular establishment in the Village and will be a great asset once it is restored and reopened.
Albany Truck Sales
This Menands-based company is completing an addition to its facilities in order to expand its service operations for truck repairs.
GCR Tire
The company has recently received approval from the Board of Trustees to add a 2100 square foot addition on the south side of their property on Broadway. The new space will permit GCR to expand their tire service business on site.
Key Bank
Key Bank will be doing a significant renovation to their branch at 280 Broadway. There will be a new handicapped ramp as well as improvement to the interior of the building.
Boswell Engineering
Boswell Engineering, the Village Designated Engineering Firm, will be constructing a new two story building at 35 Broadway that will not only provide office space for their staff but also will house a new company in Menands, EnerGreen SIPS Northeast. This company manufactures structural insulated panels (SIPS) for building construction. The panels will be used in the construction of the new building.
Other Significant Items
Broadway Corridor Rezoning Study
The Village, with the assistance of a consultant, has been conducting a review of the many zoning categories along the Broadway Corridor to create a user-friendly zoning ordinance that would enhance economic development. A Steering Committee composed of representatives of the Village Board, our business community, and Village residents, has been overseeing the project for the past 13 months. We are now in the final stages of this effort and the Board of Trustees will be presented with the recommendations shortly. The centerpiece of the recommendations involves a relatively new concept known as form based zoning which is a flexible approach to municipal zoning that encourages creative development. The focus will be on form and function and not use.
Brownfield Opportunity Area Grant
The Village has applied for a BOA grant to help evaluate underutilized, abandoned, and deteriorating properties. This program is administered by the NYS Department of State and provides 90% funding to conduct the necessary environmental and related studies of these properties to help develop a strategy to get them back into useful service. The grant we have applied for will bring $150,000 in to the Village to conduct this work at no cash cost as the local share can be satisfied with in-kind services.
Dutch Village IV Project
The Village Board recently authorized a zoning change on Wards Lane that will permit the development of a 43 unit apartment addition to the Dutch Village property. This will be a major project for Menands and will turn presently vacant property into a productive use.