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Ex-Planned Parenthood site sold in Schenectady
By Michael Lamendola
Manufacturer plans upgrades


SCHENECTADY — A local manufacturing company has acquired the former Planned Parenthood building on Union Street and plans to convert it into a corporate headquarters and an incubator for startup businesses.

DHA Holdings Inc., which controls two industrial machining and fabrication businesses in Schenectady County, purchased 414 Union St. for $110,000.

City assessment records show the 11,000-square-foot structure has a fair market value of $300,000. Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson vacated the building in 2007 when it opened a $2 million, 19,000-square-foot facility at 1040 State St. It had occupied the site since 1996.

DHA will put the formerly tax-exempt property on the tax rolls, said Ray Gillen, chairman of the Metroplex Development Authority. “The building goes on the tax rolls from date of sale. The sale was just closed,” he said.

There are no payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements with DHA, Gillen said. “They are paying full taxes on the building,” he said.

Metroplex is providing the company with a $30,000 grant toward the cost of facade renovations. “They are taking the old, closed and in poor condition former Planned Parenthood building and investing in a major upgrade to create office space for the company,” Gillen said.

In addition, Metroplex plans to lease 25 parking spaces from DHA to expand the authority’s downtown parking system. The parking spaces are on Yates Street adjacent to an existing Metroplex parking lot. Metroplex operates 10 lots and a parking garage in downtown Schenectady.

Metroplex will pay $30 per space per month, or $9,000 per year, Gillen said. “We will in turn lease the spaces for $35 to $40. We need more spaces for monthly parking,” he said................>>>>......................>>>>..............................https://www.dailygazette.com/news/2011/sep/26/0926union-st-site-sold/?mobile

Great, finally someone coming in without a tax break... except for the fact that they're paying them to use their parking spots?  Gee, they buy the property and they're going to pay taxes, except for the $30K downpayment and $9,000 per year to use their parking spots.  I know this is Schenectady, so that probably doesn't write off ALL the taxes, but it's a good bit off.  I thought that the Metroplex couldn't make money on parking lots, now they want to expand and take over more?  Gee, the success that is Schenectady continues.

DHA purchased an 11,000 square foot commercial building for $110,000 and received a $30,000 Metroplex facade grant.
Thus, they paid $7.27 per square foot, far below market value.

Will they pay property taxes on the assessed value of $300,000 or will the assessment be lowered to $110,000 or less?

Will jobs be created or simply relocated from another area in the county?

I like how Metrograft Ray essentially admits that a PILOT isn't the same thing as real property taxes - that property taxes are clearly the appropriate way of paying their way.  Some people equate the two, and nice to see that their hero Ray does know there is a difference.

$30K Free.
$9,000/year

Exactly how much will DHA be paying in taxes?

sounds like close to a 'wash'.....no?

The sad part about this is, according to the Amsterdam Recorder today, DHA Holdings is opening a location out in Amsterdam for its Vitaform company.

Vitaform is receiving a $75K loan from the City and will be bringing 26 new jobs to that location on Liberty St.

How many jobs in Schenectady?? None, it's just a headquarters.

Looks like we've been duped again!! Thanks Metroplex!

Article from the Recorder is "Agency board oks loans" and it was the Amsterdam Industrial Development Agency which gave  a $75K LOAN ...not grant to this DHA project.

Also, 26 jobs are to be created and there was no mention of any kickbacks for parking, etc, etc.

So, just proves that some Development Agencies are on the ball.

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DHA Holdings, Inc Activity on LinkedIn
DHA Holdings, Inc has a new Associate Director, DHA Ventures  
Michael Visk is now Associate Director, DHA Ventures

Quoted from rachel72

The sad part about this is, according to the Amsterdam Recorder today, DHA Holdings is opening a location out in Amsterdam for its Vitaform company.

Vitaform is receiving a $75K loan from the City and will be bringing 26 new jobs to that location on Liberty St.

How many jobs in Schenectady?? None, it's just a headquarters.

Looks like we've been duped again!! Thanks Metroplex!

Again the metroplex gives the farm away at the taxpayer's expense!! It will be interesting to see exactly how much this 'headquarters' will be paying in taxes. And of course we know that they will be receiving $9K/year from the plex. Plus the $30K grant. Kinda strange though....why open in Amsterdam but have a headquarters in schenectady.

This Immogen/DHA is an agency which helps other businesses open (they offer classes at Union, offer grants to promising ventures, etc).

Too bad that 26 jobs from DHA went to Amsterdam and Schenectady received the sloppy seconds...well, not just that, as Bumble stated, the Plex constantly gives the farm away.

It's as if the plex doesn't place any value on the City. A development agency can't simply keep handing out ludicrous offers in a City with high crime and high taxes. Businesses know that Schenectady is not safe and would rather open a location (with real jobs) in a City with a chance of long term stability.

With the current 'leadership' constantly turning a blind eye to the shootings, pit bulls, gangs and extreme graffitti all over the City, no decent business will ever be willing to come here without being bribed and unfortunately, that's what the plex is doing. It's not promoting development (that would be helping the taxpayers), but it's bribery and the taxpayers are footing the bill.

When the free ride that the businesses get to move here comes to an end, the businesses move out of the city to a much better location.

two different groups, idiots.

and it seems that it is ok with you jerks that some business can get govt handouts -- as long as it is anywhere but schenectayd, omh what a bunch of losers u r

What's two different groups? DHA is the holding company behind Vitaform. Why didn't Vitaform come to Schenectady?? 26 jobs?

Immogen will be running their office out of this location on Union with DHA.

Let me break it down for you SB, DHA helps foster business. Unfortunately, DHA knows that it can get dirt cheap space with a huge kick-back in Schenectady meanwhile real companies with new jobs move elsewhere.

What don't you get?! Schenectady loses and Amsterdam gets the jobs. Where was that new press release?

Quoted from Smoking Bananas

two different groups, idiots.

and it seems that it is ok with you jerks that some business can get govt handouts -- as long as it is anywhere but schenectayd, omh what a bunch of losers u r

No idiot - the whole system is BROKEN.  The fact that an unelected central economic planner can pick and choose who pays taxes and who doesn't is the problem.  The idiots in Schenectady County allow Gillen to operate outside the rule of law and picks who HE wants to pay taxes and who he exempts.  Our legislature should pass laws and levy taxes that apply to ALL residents equally, not allow ONE person or an authority to cherry pick.

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DHA will put the formerly tax-exempt property on the tax rolls, said Ray Gillen, chairman of the Metroplex Development Authority. “The building goes on the tax rolls from date of sale. The sale was just closed,” he said.

This shouldn't be his decision to make!!!  We elect LAWMAKERS to make our laws.  THIS IS THE PROBLEM.