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Albany County has acquired five buildings on the former College of Saint Rose campus, marking a significant step in the area's redevelopment. The Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority (ACPHLA) approved the $6 million purchase on Thursday (December 11), giving the county permanent ownership of the properties, which were previously under a temporary agreement.
The buildings, located on Western Avenue and Madison Avenue, include the former Saint Rose Events and Athletic Center, Neil Hellman Library, Hearst Center for Communications and Interactive Media, Huether School of Business, and the administration building. Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy emphasized that this acquisition aims to transform the site into a vibrant community asset, focusing on economic growth, housing, and green space. "Securing these parcels lays the groundwork for a thoughtful, phased redevelopment process," McCoy stated.
However, the decision faced some opposition. The Pine Hills Neighborhood Association urged the ACPHLA to pause the sale of three properties on Western Avenue, advocating for broader market exposure to potentially enhance the area's tax base and diversify property uses. Despite these concerns, ACPHLA Board Chairman Dominic Mazza highlighted the benefits of county ownership, stating that it would sustain activity in the neighborhood and quickly retire the county's debt from the purchase.
The redevelopment plan, known as the Reimagine Saint Rose initiative, is expected to honor the campus's legacy while opening doors to new opportunities for public use and innovation. The initiative follows a campus planning report submitted by redevelopment consultant CPL in November.