NEW OFFICES WILL HELP MAKE COUNTY GOVERNMENT MORE MODERN, EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE, SAYS COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE MCLAUGHLIN
The purchase of a new and more modern and convenient office for Rensselaer County services in East Greenbush was approved at the April 12 meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature, County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced.
The county’s purchase of the former Rose and Kiernan property at 99 Troy Road (Route 4) will allow the county to move forward with plans to improve and btter utilize office space, said McLaughlin. The county will also be able to move away from more costly and less efficient long-term rentals of space for needed county services, he added.
“This is a major step in our efforts to make Rensselaer County government more open, responsive and efficient for the people we serve,” said McLaughlin.
“During the past four years, we have reduced property taxes each year for a total of nearly 20 percent, paved over 170 miles of roads and expanded other important services, strengthened county finances and overseen historic investment and job creation. Now, we are turning our focus to improving our facilities in space owned by the county,” added McLaughlin.
The purchase will cost the county $5.2 million, along with other costs, with the purchase price recently confirmed by an independent appraisal. Along with the purchase price, the resolution approved by the County Legislature authorizes the financing of an additional $1.8 million and $3.8 million in energy performance improvements.
The new space at 99 Troy Road includes 9.78 acres, and approximately 62,848 square feet of space. There is also approximately 400 parking spaces and an approved building lot next to the former Rose and Kiernan building.
The project will also include improvement of the existing County Office Building in downtown Troy and the adjoining county Health Building.
Under the plan, a significant number of governmental services now located at the County Office Building in downtown Troy will be moved to the East Greenbush offices at 99 Troy Road. Two services now located at rented space at Flanigan Square in North Central Troy will be relocated. Department of Social Services offices will largely move to the current County Office Building, and the Probation Department located at Flanigan Square will move to the Health building.
Further details on reconfiguration or move of offices will be announced in the coming weeks.
The purchase of the 99 Troy Road property in East Greenbush was approved by the County Legislature by a 12-6 margin.
“Our mission is to bring county government into a new era, with clean, safe and accessible facilities, with the flexibility to be responsive to the changing needs of our residents. The approval tonight of this purchase goes a long way in helping in that endeavor,” said McLaughlin