Rensselaer: Hub of New York's Tech Valley

Rensselaer: City Hub of RENSSELAER of New York’s Tech Valley Zoning Update 2012 Zoning

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STERLING RIDGE DR

City of FORBES RD

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CENTRAL AVE 9TH ST

7TH ST

R I V E R 2ND ST 6TH ST City of 4TH ST MCNAUGHTON AVE ?© RENSSELAER BROADWAY

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RIVERSIDE AVE www.rensselaerny.govIndustrial (I-2) (518) 465-1693Downtown Mixed-Use (MU-1) Waterfront Mixed-Use (MU-2) Open Space and Conservation (OS)

RIVER RD Planned Development District (PDD) Residential District #1 (R-1) Residential District #2 (R-2)

0 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Feet

Map Prepared By:

June 2012 Quality of Life The City of Rensselaer is known to some only by its location: across the Hudson from Albany. But those who know better are in on the Capital Rensselaer’s leaders know of the region’s oldest and most Rensselaer is a very caring Region’s best-kept secret: that a community is greater than the sum prestigious college preparatory community, parents are very of its parts, and that a bright future schools. Located across the river from Rensselaer is a small city with a rich takes proper planning and ambition. the state Capital and flanked by the interested in what the schools history and a tight knit sense of place SUNY East Campus, with its biomed can do for their children. With unrivaled access to the river and and biotech incubator, and the RPI When students enter the found in few other communities. breathtaking views of Albany and the Tech Park at its northern border, school they look at the school Upper Hudson, the 9,400 residents Rensselaer residents enjoy some of of Rensselaer enjoy an experience the shortest commutes in the region. district as a second home. that weds the convenience and They are very comfortable choice of metropolitan living with The city’s housing market boasts a here, the faculty and staff a close-knit sense of community. A mix of options from apartments to that work at the district are strong emphasis has been placed single-family homes, and services on creating a network of support include both locally owned and very caring for the students. for the community, from investing national names. The population They take an interest in the in public safety, to seasonal events continues to grow and this need is students, almost as if these that bring the entire city together. being met by the development of children were their own. new homes, townhouses and condos, This welcoming atmosphere is as well as high-end apartments. backed up by top-notch educational Over the course of the 18 opportunities, including a new, Today, the City of Rensselaer exudes years that I have been here, state-of-the-art campus for the city’s a sense of community pride much as generations of families have pre-k through high school students, it did when the area was first settled which also offers innovative small four centuries ago. It is a community gone through our school business incubator space. Rensselaer aware of its accomplishments district, so it seems to be a is also home to Doane Stuart, one and cognizant of its potential. community within a community at the school district.

— Sally Ann Shields, Superintendent of Rensselaer City School District

The city has hills that provide appealing views of downtown Albany across the river. There are sites along the river front that have potential for an imaginative “developer.” —Mike Hendricks, The Business Review, June 7–13, 2013 Open for

Situated on the Banks Business of the Hudson, the City of Rensselaer sits at a crossroads of industry and innovation. Only a few hours and with direct access to locations like New York City, Boston and Montreal via I-90, I-787 and Amtrak the city is not only in the right place, but imbued with the support structures that enterprises of all types need to succeed.

Rensselaer is blessed with The city is already home to a rich mix companies have called Rensselaer tremendous potential unlike any of businesses and entrepreneurs. home for years. Rensselaer: a Friend to Business other community along the Hudson. They came for the same reasons Today, there exists a confluence of companies have located in Rensselaer Established businesses like The City of Rensselaer is making a concerted equipment as well as for new efforts both public and private that is for decades: location, sense of place international research and effort to make sure every business in Rensselaer construction, renovation, helping that potential be fully realized. and business environment. Thanks to manufacturing leader Albany is seeing success. expansion and/or conversion these factors, Rensselaer’s population Molecular Research, Inc. and clean of facilities to help spur Recently, more than $1 billion in increased by 21 percent in the most energy pioneer Empire Generating The Rensselaer City IDA actively supports businesses growth and job creation. private investments have been made recent Census reversing the long Co. also chose to locate in Rensselaer. with the goal of creating jobs. The independent in the city’s port area. Millions of decline typically seen in rustbelt cities. The latter, a $1 billion natural gas- body has the power to provide financial assistance The city also provides dollars have been invested in new based project, provides enough to businesses and assign various incentives to worthy interest-free loans for water, sewer and gas lines along Take the story of Monolith Solar power for 750,000 homes. projects, such as payment in lieu of tax agreements. residents of the Fort Crailo with enhanced pedestrian-friendly Associates, which was founded in The Rensselaer Local Development Corporation is also Historic District to finance streets. In fact, the city was awarded a cramped garage in neighboring With prime real estate still available available to assist with economic development projects. facade improvements to their a Project of the Year award from the East Greenbush in 2008. . Today, they along the river, a blossoming buildings. The Fort Crailo American Public Works Association employ dozens of people in multiple downtown and support structures In addition, the city has available a unique Economic Façade Revolving Loan Program has helped transform for the reconstruction of Broadway, locations from their headquarters in place, the opportunities present in Development Loan Program to offer below- many of the older buildings throughout the District, improving access to the ninth-busiest in Rensselaer. Documentation Rensselaer are nothing short market-rate loans to eligible businesses to finance beautifying and energizing this hidden regional gem. Amtrak station in the country. Strategies and Vision Data, two of tremendous. the acquisition of land, buildings, machinery and innovative and successful tech City of RENSSELAER Zoning Update 2012 Zoning Eastland Park

What Rensselaer does have is perhaps the !"f$ Doane Stuart School best waterfront view of any urban location in the Capital Region. It’s the perfect site for the kind of housing that we’re ?È told is increasingly attractive to young “professionals and empty nesters alike.” STERLING RIDGE DR —Rex Smith, Times Union, October 11, 2013 City of Rensselaer FORBES RD City School Documentation Strategies ALBANY WASHINGTON AVE %&w( District

CENTRAL AVE 9TH ST Boat Launch

7TH ST

PINE ST Town of 1ST ST NORTH

3RD ST GREENBUSH

Fort Crailo 5TH ST

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BROADWAY EAST ST Town of

?s Rail AIKEN AVE Historic Overlay District SOUTH ST ¥ Proposed Zoning General Commercial (C-1) Light Industrial (I-1)

RIVERSIDE AVE Industrial (I-2) Albany Yacht Club Downtown Mixed-Use (MU-1) Waterfront Mixed-Use (MU-2) AMRI Open Space and Conservation (OS)

RIVER RD Planned Development District (PDD) Residential District #1 (R-1) Residential DistrictRensselaer: #2 (R-2) 0 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 HubFeet of New York’s Tech Valley Empire Generating Map Prepared By:

June 2012 Charles Moore, AICP Director, Rensselaer Planning and Development Agency [email protected] (518) 465-1693