Schenectady Metroplex

We thank Governor Hochul for the great news today that Schenectady has been selected to be the site of a new State Job Testing Center that will be a great resource for State employees looking to advance their careers. It also brings another State agency to Schenectady. More information can be found here (then link to release below)

https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/pressrel/computer-based-testing-schenectady.cfm

More than a dozen utility box murals were painted throughout the city this summer, adding vibrancy in the Downtown, Mont Pleasant, Northside, Upper Union, and Central State St neighborhoods. Metroplex is pleased to fund this initiative by Create Community Studios and thanks the many participating artists.

The Capital Region Land Bank, which is administered by Metroplex, continues its blight removal work in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood. A long-vacant house at 1083-1085 Culter Street (image left) is being demolished in partnership with the City of Schenectady. At 1014 Pleasant Street (image right), abatement is nearing completion on a vacant house and garage, which will be replaced with a new single-family starter home, in partnership with BCNI.

The State just released its annual Tourism spending report. The numbers are all positive for Schenectady County. Statewide tourism spending increased by 3.9%, but it increased 5.3% in Schenectady County growing from $583 million in 2024 to $613.4 million in 2025. Schenectady County tourism employment also grew from 8,100 to 8,335 jobs. Overall, these results highlight the strength and continued growth of our tourism sector and the important role it plays in our economy.

Metroplex is working with Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation and Proctors to bring more local art and artists to downtown Schenectady. Link to release below:

More Public Art Coming to Downtown Schenectady – Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority More Public Art Coming to Downtown Schenectady August 28, 2026 The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC), in partnership with Metroplex, Proctors and a coalition of local arts organizations and artists, today announced plans to bring more public art to downtown Schenectady. The Schenec...

Work is well underway to renovate the YWCA building in the Stockade neighborhood. Metroplex is proud of its role in this historic renovation project. We thank the YWCA , Christa Construction and developer Xenolith Partners for the tour.

The Capital Region Land Bank demolished 566 Crane St yesterday. This was a vacant city-owned property that was in very poor condition.

The Land Bank is also completing abatement work at 1014 Pleasant Street so that this vacant building can be demolished and replaced with a new single-family home to be built by Better Community Neighborhoods Inc (BCNI).

Construction is underway on a $1.7M project that will convert a long-vacant former church on Schenectady Street into 12 apartments, some designed specifically for senior living. Metroplex and the Land Bank each approved $50,000 toward the cost of exterior restorations, lighting, and site work.

Metroplex has recruited four companies to Schenectady County that are leaders in the green energy sector. The latest is TerraForm Power. The company has signed a lease to occupy space at the former Trustco Building at 192 Erie Boulevard which has been converted to apartments and office space by developer Chris Maddalone.

TerraForm Power is pleased to locate its Remote Operations Center (ROC) to Schenectady, a community long associated with the power generation industry. This new ROC will allow us to better manage our North American fleet as we continue to grow.

TerraForm Power is a Brookfield Renewable portfolio company and a leading North American developer and owner‑operator of utility‑scale renewable energy assets, driving the next generation of electric power, with a pipeline of more than 8 gigawatts and more than 2 gigawatts of solar, wind, and battery storage capacity across 16 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. As a full‑service renewable energy firm, TerraForm supports the entire project lifecycle from site origination and permitting through construction and long‑term operations.

We received great news late yesterday of a $1 million grant award from Governor Hochul that will help us renovate the historic Masonic building at the corner of State and Erie. Details here:

Statement by Schenectady County Legislature Chair Gary Hughes on County Infrastructure Grant Award – Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority Statement by Schenectady County Legislature Chair Gary Hughes on County Infrastructure Grant Award August 20, 2026 “We thank Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for this $1 million grant that will act as a catalyst for launching the renovation of the former Masonic building as 29 new apar...