POTENTIAL PLANS
Rensselaer County still seeks to sell, relocate senior center in downtown Troy
TROY, N.Y. >> The county senior center on Third Street could eventually relocate to another location in Troy, according to Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
McLaughlin’s office said that there is interest for a technology related business moving to the current senior center location at 19 Third Street.
“There has been some interest in the location of the current senior center in downtown Troy,” said McLaughlin. “There is a strong possibility of a technology company specializing in artificial intelligence locating there and also serving as a catalyst for other job growth in the area.”
McLaughlin said that the county intends to maintain its current senior services in Troy and throughout the county.
“We recognize the contributions made by our seniors in Rensselaer County and have every intention of maintaining quality senior services in Troy,” said McLaughlin.
McLaughlin went on to say how county officials are working with Lavena Futia, who is currently serving in the senior center director role.
“We are working with a new senior center director to attract new seniors to the center, and get more from Troy and surrounding areas involved in the services we provide during
the week,” said McLaughlin.
McLaughlin said that officials intend to continue the current senior services at the 29,940- square-foot Third Street location as the transition would start.
“We would envision continuing senior services at the location as the transition occurs, but we are also open to ideas about new locations for county senior services in Troy,” said McLaughlin. “We know there are many seniors who rely on the services provided from the center, and want to continue that strong level of support.”
The previous administration, under former County Executive Kathleen Jimino, believed that moving the center will help seniors, who found parking to be a significant problem in seeking services at the 3rd Street facility, limiting attendance at activities and events that include health and wellness programs, as well as congregate and home- delivered meal services.
Jimino’s administration believed that moving to the ICC addresses this, as its parking lot allows for 108 vehicles.
The Rensselaer County Legislature tabled a vote at the end of 2017 that would have allowed the sale of the Troy Area Senior Services Center’s current home at 19 3rd St., making way for the county to move the center into the Italian Community Center building at 1450 5th Ave.
Under the original agreement, the county would’ve paid $685,000 for the ICC building and sell the 3rd Street building for $575,000 to developer David Bryce.
“We are looking to get this issue resolved as soon as reasonably possible, and have already had some interest expressed about new locations,” said McLaughlin.
Rensselaer County Legislature Minority Leader Peter Grimm said he does have some concerns with relocating the senior center, however, he said that he does understand that the current three- story building is outdated and does not provide the best and easiest access for parking with it being located in downtown Troy.
In October, the legislature voted on a resolution “authorizing the transfer of certain real property and improvements thereon to the Rensselaer County Capital Resource Corporation - Unified Family Services Department for the Aging.” County officials also noted that they are still seeking proposals for the Third Street property and for new potential new locations for the senior center in Troy.
“I spoke to several residents about it and they have some concerns,” said Grimm, D-Troy. “But the facility is outdated, it doesn’t have [easily accessible] parking and drop- off [ locations]. Being in downtown presents some challenges. I think we need to have a place for a senior center that is, first and foremost, accessible to the demographic that is going to be using it.”