ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The outdated and abandoned Lincoln Towers in Albany are a step closer to coming down thanks to a major investment.
Politicians and members of the community came together to announce a federal investment of $3 million to finally bring down the Lincoln Square Towers at Warren Street and Grand Street in the city, with the work set to begin right away.
“Starting today removing asbestos within the building and as we continue to raise the money we will demolish those towers,” said Executive Director of Albany Housing Authority Chiquita D’Arbeau.
The City of Albany had applied for the federal funding, which was then secured by Senator Gillibrand in partnership with Senator Schumer, Congressman Tonko, former President Biden, and former Vice President Harris.
“This has been decades in the planning,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan “one of the things that we insisted on as we’ve talked to developers want to ensure we have eyes on the street, feet on the street, and a feel on this site that feels like a community, that feels like a neighborhood.”
“People are excited,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, “when we’ve had reuse and redevelopment of other housing authorities across the state, the outcomes have been phenomenal. This community is really excited to be part of that.”
Dating back to the 1960’s and rehabilitated in the 1980’s, the Albany Housing Authority’s now-abandoned Lincoln Square Homes provided 196 public housing units throughout its two 12-story buildings and two eight-story buildings. As the building deteriorated over time, issues like broken elevators, boiler failures and electrical system malfunctions created constant problems for its residents — with HUD ultimately deeming it obsolete and unlivable.
“The most important part right now, which is critical, is actually raising the money enough for us to fully demolish these buildings so that we can revitalize this property that benefits the community as well as the city of Albany at large,” said D’Arbeau. “It is critical for home ownership, commercial space and just growth amongst the south end and the city of Albany.”
The site will be redeveloped over the next several years.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
