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School leaders outline Old Slate housing plan, demolition timeline and affordability aims
Summary
District staff and partners presented a timeline and preliminary terms for redeveloping the Old Slate property, aiming to build 34 deed‑restricted workforce units for school and hospital employees and to reduce demolition costs before bidding.
Superintendent Dr. Goldhart and district facilities staff updated the Albany County School District #1 Board of Trustees on plans to demolish the Old Slate building and enable a deed-restricted workforce housing project on the site.
District staff said they are working with city partners and a development contact, identified in the meeting as Brad Enzi, to create roughly 17 twin‑home units (34 total). The district presented a preliminary timeline: an abatement and demolition plan due around Jan. 22, a 100% plan to facilities by Jan. 31, bid documents by Feb. 7, an advertisement window in mid‑February, bids due approximately March 1, recommendation of a contract at the board's March meeting and a notice‑to‑proceed in March with demolition beginning around April 1. Staff said they expect abatement and demolition completion about July 15.
On costs, staff reported an early demolition estimate around $1.6 million and said the project team is working to cut that to about $1.3 million. Superintendent Goldhart told trustees that proceeds from sale of the land would be retained by the district rather than remitted to the state; later discussion indicated the city and partner organizations will fund demolition and that the district will receive paybacks or proceeds as lots or units are sold. "For the sale of this land, ACSD 1 will be able to keep those funds," Goldhart said.
Board members asked how the units will remain affordable and whether resale restrictions and owner‑occupancy requirements would apply. Staff said partners are exploring deed restrictions so owners can profit only up to a capped percentage on resale and that the units would be owner‑occupied. The project would use city tax‑increment financing for infrastructure (sewer, water, curbs, sidewalks) to reduce upfront costs and make units less expensive. The district and partners discussed a target starting price in the low‑to‑mid $250,000s to $300,000, contingent on final design and whether basements are included.
Trustees also asked about sequencing and ownership. Staff said the district will not retain responsibility for maintenance or act as a landlord once lots are sold; instead lots or units will be conveyed per negotiated terms with the city and development partners. The meeting also noted the need for a joint resolution with the city council and School Facilities Commission approval for the sale; staff said they plan to present to the school facilities commission in June.
No formal board action was taken on the Old Slate redevelopment during this meeting. Staff said they will return in February with more detailed financial terms and development agreements.
Ending: Trustees asked for more detailed financial modeling and deed‑restriction language at the February meeting; staff said the partners will come to a future board meeting with the development team.
