The Galesi Group is proposing a retail building by the future casino to house a coffee shop and a bank, both with a drive-thru.
The Rotterdam developer is seeking site plan approval from the city Planning Commission next week for a 4,000-square-foot building that will house a coffee shop and a bank to serve people coming in and out of the Mohawk Harbor site.
The proposed building would be situated at the corner of Erie Boulevard and Rush Street near the entrance to the Rivers Casino and Resort at Mohawk Harbor, which is under construction and expected to open in March.
“We’re talking to a variety of people,” said David Buicko, CEO of Galesi, when asked about specific tenants. “We’re getting this approved so we can market it.”
The building would be split with 2,000 square feet for each, according to documents submitted to the city. The coffee shop would have a drive-thru with a bypass lane and the bank would have a drive-thru ATM, which will use the same bypass lane as the coffee shop.
The coffee shop and bank would share a total of 35 parking spaces, including two handicapped spaces. Both the coffee shop and bank would have four employees each, documents say.
The hours of operation for both will be determined based on demand, Buicko said.
The bank would have two offices and the building would include a conference room between the bank and coffee shop, according to a rendering submitted to the city.
Buicko said he believes the two would be in high demand once the casino opens its doors and people move into the apartments on site.
“It’s a great location for both of those uses with people leaving the casino and coming to the casino,” he said. “Plus you have the people coming into work on that side who can just swing in and come back into the traffic circle.”
The roundabout at the corner of Erie Boulevard and Nott Street, at the entrance to the Mohawk Harbor site, is completed with surrounding construction expected to wrap up by Aug. 1, according to City Engineer Chris Wallin.
The retail building proposed is in addition to the 65,800-square-foot office and retail building being built on the other end of the site, toward Glenville, by the Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the Riverhouse Apartments both now being erected.
Other agenda items
Also returning to the commission’s agenda after being pulled twice is the proposed Live-In Schenectady project, which will add 25 single-family homes along Barrett Street and Seminary Place.
The initiative includes 15 investors who are pitching in a total of $1.5 million to build the first 10 homes in the first phase of the project. The second phase of the project would add another 15 homes.
The group purchased 19 properties from the city for $200,000, including 15 vacant lots and four buildings, which will be demolished.
Also, Stewart’s Shops is looking to renovate and expand its existing convenience store at 100 S. Brandywine Ave. off Albany Street.
The project includes constructing an addition to the building. Stewart’s also plans to renovate the exterior of the building to match the look of its other newer locations.
Plans also include upgrading all exterior lighting to LED lighting and demolishing a rental building on site to add three fuel pumps there.
The Planning Commission’s meeting will be held on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 110 at Schenectady City Hall.
