Metroplex outlines ALCO site development

By MIKE GOODWIN
Click byline for more stories by writer.
Last updated: 12:42 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2007

SCHENECTADY -- Local politicians and a developer from Philadelphia announced this morning plans to build offices, restaurants, town houses and docks on 60 acres of waterfront land.

The Metroplex Development Authority this morning took formal steps for an environmental review of the former American Locomotive Co. site, preparing for a $50 million redevelopment project by Preferred Real Estate Investments.

Metroplex and the state expect environmental reviews to take about a year. They believe petroleum products from more than a century of locomotive assembly contaminate soil at the site.

ALCO ended train manufacturing in Schenectady in 1969 and in the ensuing years efforts to convert the land into a thriving industrial park have met mixed results. A handful of businesses currently occupy the park, which is owned by the Schenectady Industrial Corp.

The land, located between Erie Boulevard and the Mohawk River, would be prime real estate for development if clean.

At the end of the environmental review period, Metroplex would buy the property for $1.2 million from Schenectady Industrial Corp. and sell it to Preferred Real Estate Investments for the same price.

This is the largest Metroplex project in its eight-year history.

The plan to redevelop the site, detailed exclusively in today's Times Union, is already drawing criticism from the Schenectady County Republican legislators, who said they were kept in the dark on the project.

``This is highly offensive that we learn of this announcement from the newspaper and are invited to attend it an hour and a half before it is scheduled to take place,'' Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville wrote in an e-mail to Legislature Clerk Geoff Hall.

``There are very serious questions with respect to this project, and the secrecy and stealth with which it has been pursued, only highlights the fact that what could be a good opportunity for our community, could well be blown in pursuit of a biased political agenda,'' Farley wrote. ``Partisanship and economic development don't mix, and the misuse of the Metroplex as a political wing of the Democratic Party is indeed discouraging.''

The portion of the plant that remains (west of Erie Blvd) is essentially the same facility that built locomotives from the late-50's until the end of production in 1969.

The portion of the plant east of Erie Blvd. (including the steam erecting shop) was demolished during a 'plant rationalization' that occured in the
mid to late 50's.

One further note...the Alco (former M&S) diesel engine plant at Auburn has been vacated by the most recent tenant (Bombardier) and is also scheduled for demolition.

Dave

Two examples of history being "thrown away".
First, the Alco site in Schenectady should be kept for industrial use. They have a Steel Company which presently uses one or two of the buildings. They had requested rail service a few years back and was told they would have to pay for it. Now they will evicted all in the name of politics. The Alco Plant has a couple of buildings that should be set aside for a ALCO Museum.
This includes the offices and at least one assembly hall.

The Auburn site should also be kept for industrial use. Both of these cities need good paying industrial jobs, not more McDonald type jobs.
Just bt 2 cents!

Just saw today the Rhode Island ALCO plant is to be reused as yuppie ville.

May have a big ALCO logo on the roof. Cool!

Rob