Council candidate proposes turning garage into rec center

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Alex Jurczynski, who is running for City Council, wants to bring notice of the former Public Works building on Oregon Avenue Tuesday.

City Council candidate Alex Jurczynski presented a concept on Tuesday afternoon to convert a city-owned abandoned garage into a recreational center.

Standing outside the dilapidated building, which is located across from the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course, Jurczynski laid out his idea to transform the old Parks Department garage into a municipal recreation center. The center could be used for afterschool activities and feature a basketball court, a track or other space for physical activities for residents of all ages.

Though he hasn’t discussed the concept with city leaders, Jurczynski, 25, said he believes the city-owned property could be converted using state and federal grants, and possibly seed money from the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority.

“It’s right off Route 7 – it’s in the perfect spot for anyone in the Schenectady community to come and utilize,” he said. “If this were to open up to the youth or the elderly, it would be great opportunity to bring everyone together.”

The existing garage is an eyesore, Jurczynski said. He hasn’t spoken with other city councilors about the concept, but said he thinks they would support the idea. The garage is owned by the city, Jurczynski said, and the potential municipal center could be operated by the city, by a private entity or by a non-profit organization.

“I want to utilize what the city already has,” he said. “I don’t want to stretch the budget more.”

The space could serve as a gathering place for seniors to walk and socialize, a place for community meetings or afterschool mentoring programs or for athletic activities, Jurczynski said. The golf course across the street could potentially rent out space for indoor golf lessons or a driving range, he added.

The building is run down with broken windows, and there’s a lot next to the structure that has a pile of gravel and woodchips. There is landscaping equipment in one portion of the building, but not much else is visible from the outside.

Jurczynski said he’s unsure of the timetable of the project, saying there would need to be a feasibility study and a committee of community members providing a vision for the facility before turning the idea into a reality.

Jurczynski, who is the son of former Schenectady Mayor Albert Jurczynski, is running against Democrat Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas for the City Council seat vacated earlier this month by John Ferrari.

Reach Gazette reporter Brett Samuels at 395-3113, [email protected] or @Brett_Samuels27 on Twitter.