FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 12, 2007
GOVERNOR SPITZER UNVEILS PLAN TO TRANSFORM
HARRIMAN CAMPUS
Redevelopment Will Build on the Capital
District's "Innovation Economy"
Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced his support
for a redevelopment plan that will accelerate
transformation of the 330-acre Averill Harriman
State Office Campus into an economic engine that
builds on the Capital District's initiatives and
encourages a regional adaptation of the Innovation
Economy.
By the end of 2008, the plan will position this
unique public asset to attract private investment to
redevelop existing vacant buildings (653,000 square
feet of space) and prepare shovel-ready sites for
development. The new Harriman campus will also be a
sustainable community featuring a diverse mix of
private and public enterprise. The plan calls for a
progressive blend of business, government, academic,
and recreational pursuits.
"This pragmatic, comprehensive new plan will meet
the area's existing needs even as it speeds the
campus to an important role in Innovation Economy
job growth," said Governor Spitzer. "This plan will
transform an underutilized state asset into a center
for technological innovation, job creation, and
economic development in the Capital Region. The new
Harriman campus represents a crossroads where
technology and regional growth meet. This blueprint
reflects the very essence of the Innovation Economy
and it is now time to take these plans from the
drawing board and make them a reality."
The Harriman Action Plan includes:
• Working with SUNY-Albany to provide space to
enable the university to remain competitive;
• Marketing Harriman campus space to private sector
entities interested in public/private partnerships;
• Issuing Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking
qualified developers interested in working with the
Office of General Services (OGS) and the Harriman
Research and Technology Development Corporation (HRTDC)
to develop Harriman to realize the "Innovation
Community" concept articulated by Governor Spitzer;
• Issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the
site-specific development of vacant parcels; and,
• A process for community input throughout the
redevelopment.
The Spitzer plan differs from previous plans in
several important respects that will additionally
benefit state taxpayers and further the Capital
Region's economic growth. It emphasizes adapting and
reusing existing buildings, which is more cost
effective and environmentally friendly than original
demolition and reconstruction plans; shortens the
time frame for development; and keeps more state
employees at the site, providing cost savings as
well as a base population to attract private retail
development.
Albany City Mayor Jerry Jennings said: "The
Harriman Campus site's proximity to Albany Nanotech
makes it an ideal location to attract new
development, which will result in job creation
opportunities and an increased tax base for the
city. I commend Governor Spitzer for his vision and
support as we pursue cooperative development of this
location."
Senator Neil D. Breslin said: "I applaud the
Governor's continued efforts to revitalize the
economy of upstate New York. The Harriman Campus is
a unique area and I am pleased to see the emphasis
on a public and private partnership that will spur
continued economic growth in our area."
Assemblyman Jack McEneny said: "The state
University at Albany is indeed fortunate to have an
extensive and valuable piece of property such as the
Harriman Office complex so nearby its existing
campus. It offers the potential to be transformed
into a Tech Park complimenting the research
capabilities which the University has already
developed. Readapting the use of the Harriman Campus
property will keep the Capital Region in the
forefront of the technological advancements that
have already taken root on the university's campus
while at the same time providing jobs and enhancing
the entrepreneurial competitiveness of Upstate New
York for generations to come."
The Harriman Campus is an appealing destination
for many reasons. It is located near the
intersection of two major highways -- Interstates 90
and 87 -- sits next to SUNY Albany, and is also
close neighbors with existing high-tech industry
clusters. These features give it a distinct,
competitive advantage.
The campus provides a vast array of opportunities
for public/private partnerships. Governor Spitzer
will oversee the positioning of this asset as a way
to leverage private investment in high-tech
industries, stimulating job creation in the Capital
region. In this plan, the Governor's Upstate
Economic Development Strategy fully realizes the
goals of support to industry clusters, University
Tech Transfer to the private sector to bring ideas
to market, support for the State University System,
and Smart Growth -- sensible, planned development
that balances the need for economic development with
the need to preserve and enhance our built and
natural environment.
Additionally, the University at Albany's recent
move of its College of Computing and Information to
Harriman adds another link between academia and the
private sector and sends a clear signal to the
private sector about the project's positive
direction.
Following Governor Spitzer's lead, best practices
in sustainable buildings will be essential to the
development's success, with the National Green
Building Council's Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) standards forming the
foundation for future redevelopment at the Harriman
Campus.
The plan presented to the Governor by the Office
of General Services and the Empire State Development
Corporation (ESDC) is the result of a collaborative
planning effort by OGS, ESDC, and HRTDC.
John Egan, Commissioner of OGS said: "The
transformation of the Harriman State Campus begins
in earnest today. With the support of Governor
Spitzer, we will transform the campus into a place
where public and private development efforts will
mesh seamlessly. We will utilize green building
practices for new and existing buildings to create a
place for innovation, while maintaining needed green
space, a true work-life-recreation community right
here in the State Capital City of Albany."
Pat Foye, Chairman of the Empire State
Development Corporation/Downstate, said: "Governor
Spitzer's plan to revitalize Harriman demonstrates
how vital the Innovation Economy is to New York's
future. By supporting industry clusters, cluster
development, University Tech Transfer to the private
sector, support for the SUNY system, and smart
growth, Harriman is a model of progressive economic
development in New York."
The RFQ for Harriman redevelopment will be
available next week via the New York State Contract
Reporter and can be downloaded at the HRTDC website
at www.harrimancampus.com.
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