New Schenectady County hangar is goal
GLENVILLE — Schenectady County Airport may be getting a new hangar, with the county legislature set to consider approving a land lease for the new facility. A vote would take place after a public hearing and Federal Aviation Administration approvals in early 2024.
“We opened up additional land at the airport for projects like this one, to drive new private investments and return previously vacant, tax-exempt parcels back onto the tax rolls,” said County Legislator Gary Hughes, chair of the legislature economic development and planning committee. “We are excited to see the continued progress at the county airport and airport business park,” said Ray Gillen, chairman of the Metroplex Development Authority’s board of directors. “SUNY Schenectady’s fastgrowing pilot training program just opened its new hangar at the airport and the county reached an agreement earlier this year to open up more than 20 acres of ramp space for new hangar development.”
Metroplex is a public corporation, funded by sales taxes, that is charged with fostering and coordinating economic growth in the Schenectady area.
Sandy Jackson, owner of Jackson Demolition in Schenectady, wants to build the new hanger. It would allow company officials to visit projects and customers with easy access from the Schenectady County Airport. The 10,000-square foot hangar could accommodate several aircraft. “Jackson Demolition has grown nationally, and we are proud to keep the home base of our operations right here where it all started. Schenectady County has always provided great opportunity and support and we look forward to a long relationship with the Schenectady County Airport,” Jackson said. The legislature will consider a long-term ground lease for the new hangar on a one-acre site following the public hearing.
In addition to paying the
county for the ground lease, the company plans to enter into a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement so that the property also generates revenues for the town of Glenville and the Scotiaglenville school district. The airport is home to the 109th Airlift Wing of the state National Guard, a regional Navy Reserve Training Center, Richmor Aviation, Reva Air Ambulance, the Schenectady County Recreational Facility Ice Rink, SUNY Schenectady’s Pilot and Air Traffic, Controller Training Program and the Empire State Aerosciences Museum. The business park is also growing with companies there including DSM, Superpower, C2 Design and Bruno Associates.