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Today, Albany County employees begin moving to the former College of Saint Rose campus in Albany. County Executive Dan McCoy signed a license agreement with the Pine Hills Land Authority on Thursday (March 13), paving the way for the redevelopment of the 27-acre property. The first group to relocate will be the Veterans Service Bureau.
The College of Saint Rose closed last year due to financial difficulties, leaving the campus vacant. McCoy emphasized the importance of revitalizing the site quickly to prevent decay. He stated, "This is not a city of Albany project. This is a county project, which I’m obligated to the county to make this work for residents on the outside who want to come into the city and to visit this beautiful campus where you’ll see new life" as reported by the Times Union.
The Pine Hills Land Authority, backed by Albany County, acquired the campus for $35 million. Plans include transforming the site into a community hub with affordable housing, educational facilities, and recreational spaces. The state has announced a workforce development center at the campus, part of the One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) initiative, which aims to boost local industry and employment opportunities.
McCoy assured that the move does not signal abandonment of downtown Albany, highlighting the need for reimagining space use due to changes in workforce dynamics post-COVID. The redevelopment is expected to bring new life and opportunities to the area, with further announcements anticipated soon.