SCHENECTADY — A potential change of scenery is on the horizon for Schenectady County employees. They might soon be relocating to a new office, just a stone’s throw away from their existing State Street workspace.
On Tuesday, county lawmakers will deliberate on a three-month option agreement to acquire the erstwhile lottery building at 1 Broadway Center, as per a recent press release.
This development is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to find a suitable replacement for the current county offices at 620 State St. These offices, which first opened their doors in 1962, are in dire need of comprehensive repairs, including a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
As part of the 2024 capital improvement budget adopted last year, lawmakers have earmarked nearly $2 million for capital improvements to the building.
The State Street facility currently houses the county Legislature, clerk, and other administrative offices, with two floors dedicated to family court.
“As our departments’ needs continue to evolve, we are exploring all possible options for accommodating county government offices in a way that best serves our community and is cost-effective,” stated Gary Hughes, chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.
The proposed $75,000 option agreement will grant the county increased access to inspect the Broadway facility and secure the county’s right to purchase the building for $12.5 million. If the county decides to proceed with the purchase, the option price will be deducted from the total cost.
The nine-story building was previously occupied by the New York State Lottery and state Gaming Commission. It currently provides office space for the Social Security Administration on the eighth floor. The lottery is expected to relocate to a new facility at 354 Broadway.
If the county decides to purchase the building, it could potentially earn over $2.7 million in rent from the Social Security Administration office over the next seven years.
“We will persist in evaluating other buildings and conducting due diligence to ensure we secure the best value at the lowest cost,” Hughes added.
The county Legislature will convene at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Schenectady County Office Building. The meeting will also be broadcast live on the county’s YouTube page.
I agree with this decision, as it could potentially save money for the county in the long run.