Entrepreneurs to vie for rent-free Schenectady sites

Entrepreneurs, sharpen your pencils.

The city is now accepting proposals from would-be business owners who would set up shop in an abandoned commercial building and keep it in good repair. The carrot: the business owner doesn’t have to pay any rent.

The first four commercial properties up for proposals are at 218 Brandywine Ave., 1705 Broadway, 901 Crane St. and 1335 State St.

But business owners will have to compete against others who want to buy the properties. A city committee will pick the best proposal for each site.

City Councilwoman Barbara Blanchard, who pushed for free-rent proposals, was thrilled that her idea finally made it onto the city’s official paperwork. Now she’s hoping someone will take the city up on its offer.

“To have even one strong business on a street can really make a difference in the vitality of that street,” she said. “I hope somebody responds, somebody who’s really good. We need to try a variety of techniques to revitalize neighborhoods.”

The city will hold an informational meeting Tuesday at noon at City Hall to go over the proposal process. All of the buildings will be open for inspection on Saturday. Proposals are due May 11; paperwork can be found online at collarcityauctions.com.

Residential buildings are also up for sale, but the city is not seeking business proposals for those.

The commercial buildings are all on main business corridors.

On Brandywine Avenue, the former firehouse is available. It’s two stories and 5,576 square feet. The one-hour open house there starts at 12:45 p.m.

On Broadway, a former autobody shop could be used by a new business. It’s 1,355 square feet and includes two car bays. The open house there is from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.

On Crane Street, a former city office is listed. It’s a two-story detached row house with 4,425 square feet. The open house runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The last commercial building is a converted residence on State Street. It’s 2,544 square feet and has a wide storefront window on the first floor, facing the street. There are apartments above, which use a separate entrance. The one-hour open house there begins at 10:15 a.m.

Also for sale are three two-family residences: 526 Summit Ave.; 334 Brandywine Ave.; and 319 Duane Ave. There is also one three-family residence, 427 McClellan St., and a single-family residence at 10 Western Parkway.