Plans for old Schenectady YMCA, hotel advance

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Lamendola

The Metroplex Development Authority board took action Wednesday night to move two major downtown building projects along the redevelopment track.

In one action, the board started an environmental review of the former YMCA facility at 13 State St. Metroplex plans to buy the building for $2 million in 2013 from the Capital District YMCA.

In the second action, the Metroplex board approved a contract to remove asbestos from the former Foster Hotel at 508 State St. Abatement is required before contractors can make repairs to the historic building, which has deteriorated badly.

Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen said an environmental review of the former YMCA is a prerequisite to redeveloping the 104,000-square-foot structure.

“It is one of the largest buildings downtown. Creating a new future for this building is critical to our redevelopment work in the lower State Street portion of downtown,” he said. “It will be a catalyst project.”

The YMCA relocated its fitness center in March to Center City in downtown Schenectady, where it has witnessed an 80 percent increase in membership, Gillen said.

“The new Y is on track to attract 100,000 people a year to downtown, creating another important people generator downtown along with Proctors, the cinema and other venues,” he said.

The YMCA used Metroplex’s $2 million purchase pledge as a guarantee to obtain financing for the $3.7 million build-out of the Center City site, Gillen said.

“They borrowed against our commitment and put the money into the new YMCA. It is innovative financing,” he said.

Gillen said Metroplex hopes to recoup the $2 million through the sale of the building. “We get site control of one of the largest buildings downtown with time to develop plans for the space and to market the project, as we have until 2013 to close on the purchase,” he said.

Gillen said Metroplex will use a private developer and will work with Schenectady County Community College to find a use for the structure.

“The college is growing rapidly, but we are not limiting the site to the college,” he said.

Gillen, who sits as a trustee on the SCCC board, said the college remains committed to constructing dormitories near the campus but not necessarily in the former YMCA facility.

As part of the deal with Metroplex, the Capital District YMCA has agreed to reduce occupancy in its residence program at the State Street site by 2013. The YMCA operates a low-cost residence for approximately 185 men under contract with the state. Some of the men are homeless or in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs; some are there because the rooms are inexpensive.

YMCA CEO and President J. David Brown said the YMCA is still looking for a place to relocate the residency program.

“Right now, what we are doing is looking for a new home for the program. We have not found a home yet, but we have had conversations with potential places we might be able to move it. There is nothing concrete yet,” he said.

Gillen said the YMCA is looking to get out of the residency program altogether.

Metroplex is paying Environmental Remediation Services of Rotterdam $199,500 for the Foster Hotel work. The company will remove asbestos from the basement and fifth and sixth floors and from the roof top. It will then shore up the upper floors.

Metroplex purchased the Foster Hotel and three nearby structures for $250,000 in March with the intent of converting them into retail, office and residential space.

The purchase ended Metroplex’s eminent domain proceedings against owners Craig G. Alsdorf and Dennis Todd. Metroplex began eminent domain proceedings in state Supreme Court after negotiations with them over a purchase price fell through. Gillen said Metroplex took action to protect the building from further deterioration as parts are exposed to the elements.

The four buildings total approximately 48,000 square feet. They include the 19,200-square-foot Foster Hotel at 508 State St.; a 5,115-square-foot building at 510 State St.; a 12,400-square-foot building at 512 State St.; and a 11,000-square-foot building at 204 Lafayette St.

Gillen said the Foster Hotel has been vacant for 15 years. Built in 1907, the building is listed on the National Register for its distinctive architectural style, called beaux arts.

Beaux arts is a neoclassical architectural style that was taught at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. It heavily influenced American architecture between 1890 and 1920.