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The Advance Albany County Alliance is moving forward with plans to demolish the long-abandoned Central Warehouse in Albany. The Alliance's board has approved contract negotiations with Gramercy Group, Inc. and LiRo-Hill to carry out the demolition, which is estimated to cost over $14 million. The 97-year-old former cold storage facility has been a prominent eyesore in the city's skyline since it was abandoned in the early 1990s.
The demolition process is expected to be complex due to the proximity of train tracks next to the warehouse. According to Advance Albany County Alliance, no implosion will be used, and safety measures will be in place to ensure the public maintains a safe distance during the process. The closest vantage point for onlookers will be the Albany Skyway.
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy expressed gratitude for the support from Governor Kathy Hochul in securing additional funding for the project. "This marks a turning point for our community, as we finally clear this dangerous eyesore from the Albany City skyline and deliver results to our residents," McCoy said.
The Alliance acquired the property in January 2025 from CW Skyway LLC for $50,000 after the previous ownership group was unable to proceed with redevelopment plans due to rising costs. The demolition is anticipated to be completed by early 2026, marking the end of a decades-long saga for the 11-story structure.
CEO Kevin O’Connor of the Advance Albany County Alliance expressed confidence in the selected contractors' plans to safely and efficiently demolish the warehouse. The demolition will also involve coordination with adjacent property owners to address any potential impacts.