84-unit building proposed in Troy
TROY, N.Y. » A new 84-unit apartment building is being proposed for 244-246 First Street, across from the city’s sand pile.
Behind the project is The Community Builders ( TCB), a non-profit real estate development company based in Boston, but ties to 14 states. It’s existed since 1964, and owns or manages 11,000 apartments.
This project is slated to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals on July 10, as it’s seeking a variance in parking space requirements.
The four story building, dubbed “Poestenkill Place” for the nearby Poestenkill Canal, would be built on a two-acre lot currently oc-
cupied by Siewert Equipment, and Pro-Tek Recycling. These two buildings would be torn down, according to a statement released by TCB.
“The project takes a step toward realizing the vision laid out in the recently updated Comprehensive Plan,” said Melissa Cherubino, a TCB development project manager, in a release. It will do this by being affordable, workforce housing that will hopefully bolster the local economy by drawing foot traffic.
If built, it won’t be out of place, as it’s abutted by multi- story residential buildings along Jefferson Street and Ida Street.
“The city and neighboring property owners will benefit from the new construction project, as new construction of this scale has been proven to inspire additional public and private investment in neighborhoods and raise property values,” said Cherubino.
With the Hudson River nearby, the building would be in a floodplain.
“The site challenges require raising the living space so electrical systems are not within the floodplain,” said Cherubino.
Since the project would call for less parking spaces than the city normally allows, it needs a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). According to TCB, in addition to the ZBA, it will be making presentation to the Little Italy, Osgood, and Riverside Neighborhood Watch groups on June 20 at the Italian Community Center, 1450 Fifth Avenue, starting at 6 p.m.