Save A Lot will be the anchor of a $115 million redevelopment project in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood Schenectady, New York, described as a longstanding food desert. Construction of the full-service grocery store is slated for 2027, with opening planned by spring 2028.
The 17,250-square-foot store is part of a mixed-use project centered on 750 State St., developed through a partnership among New York State, the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, The Community Builders, Five Corners Development and Save A Lot. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the plans July 21.
Alongside the store, the project will create 171 units of affordable and workforce housing, including 36 supportive-housing units, plus greenspace, a playground and parking.
The store will offer private label and national brand products, meat cut fresh in-store, fresh produce and household essentials. Founded nearly 50 years ago, Save A Lot is the largest independently owned and operated value-focused grocery chain in the U.S., with about 650 stores in 29 states.
“At Save A Lot, we believe in the power of the neighborhood grocery store as a key to building vibrant communities. We’re focused on serving families by ensuring they have access to fresh, affordable, nutritious food. We are thrilled to partner with New York State and Schenectady County and look forward to delivering an outstanding shopping experience to Hamilton Hill neighbors,” said CEO Bill Mayo in Save A Lot’s July 30 announcement.
A long-sought grocery store for Hamilton Hill
The 2.2-acre State Street site, formerly a car dealership, was purchased by the Schenectady County Legislature for $950,000, and the existing building was demolished using a $2.75 million Restore New York grant from Empire State Development. The site will undergo remediation through New York State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program to support construction of a mixed-use building with the grocery store, 85 units of housing, greenspace, a playground and parking. Cleanup is expected to run through 2027.
“Communities across the state deserve to feel uplifted and seen, especially in Schenectady, and we are delivering on that promise to the Hamilton Hill neighborhood,” Gov. Hochul said. “With additional housing and a full-service grocery store right in the neighborhood, residents will be able to live in the neighborhood they grew up in, close to their families, and be able to get groceries without having to plan for additional commuting time.”
Nine additional vacant buildings were demolished using Metroplex funding to create three housing sites on Albany Street, where three buildings totaling 86 units will be built, supported by $1 million from Empire State Development through the Regional Council initiative. The units will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations.
Partners on the project
“We knocked down the long-standing blighted and vacant buildings in this part of Albany and State Street and we chartered a course to bring in new housing and a full-service grocery store. We have secured commitments through months of focused efforts to bring $115 million in new investment to Schenectady with a leading national housing developer and grocery store operator. We are extremely thankful to all of our partners who have worked together to move this project forward,” said Metroplex Chair Ray Gillen.
The Community Builders is serving as lead developer.
“We are honored to deepen TCB’s commitment to the City of Schenectady through this partnership, which will deliver the full-service grocery store that residents of the Hamilton Hill and Vale neighborhoods have been asking for. This is the kind of concerted, comprehensive action that will strengthen this community for generations,” said Regional VP of Real Estate Development Jesse Batus.
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said, “The City is proud to move forward with this game-changing investment. We are directly addressing the need for affordable groceries and housing in one major development that will benefit our residents. These formerly blighted sites will now add to the resurgence of Schenectady.”