A building at the corner of Union and Clinton streets will get a fresh look thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.
The four-story building at 600-604 Union St. is home to a dozen apartments on the top three floors and two businesses on the first floor. The building is owned by the Juracka family, which started The Charles Opticians, a family-run eyeglass business, in 1950. That business operates out of the first floor next to the Whitney Book Corner, a used bookstore opened by the Friends of the Schenectady County Public Library in 2002.
The building’s tan brick facade and distinctive yellow cornices and bay windows have lost their luster over the years.
The Metroplex facade grant will be used to power wash the exterior of the building and repaint the cornices, trim and bay windows the same shade of light yellow, a color approved by the Union Street Historic District. The fire escapes will also be cleaned and repainted.
“This is a key building on a key corner,” said Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen. “Improving the look of the building is important to continuing the strong momentum on lower Union Street.”
Just a block from the Schenectady County Public Library, the building is an important one along lower Union Street, he said.
That section of Union Street is home to a row of restaurants and retail stores, many of which occupy historic buildings. New developments have come to the area in recent years, including a three-story townhouse development at the corner of Barrett and Union streets.
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