S1613A

The New York State Senate passed legislation directing the Empire State Development Corporation and Office of General Services to create development plans for mixed-use commercial and residential property on the Harriman Campus in Albany. The bill (S1613A, Calendar 1523) passed 58-3, with only Sens. Oberacker, Rolison and Weik voting in opposition. Sponsor Sen. Fahy characterized the measure as a years-long effort to address the underutilization of the 200-acre campus, which she described as the 'uptown parking lot district.' The legislation would enable mixed-use development on 7 acres while creating a comprehensive master plan for the entire site. Fahy said the initiative would complement a $400 million downtown revitalization effort and help address the Capital Region's housing shortage while accommodating growth industries. She noted the proposal has backing from 75 elected officials, community leaders, labor unions, and neighborhood associations. Fahy argued the plan would correct planning mistakes from five decades ago that left the campus disconnected and sprawling. The state is investing $1.7 billion in state-of-the-art Wadsworth public health labs on the campus.