HUDSON — The Board of Supervisors announced Friday that Columbia County will purchase the former strip mall at 11 Warren St. in the city for $3.35 million in a move expected to solve storage and office space issues.
The board voted Wednesday to acquire the building situated on about one acre and is zoned Central Commercial for professional, governmental or business use. The property contains 18,622 square feet, all on one level, with room for 30 parked cars. The building was constructed in 1985.
“It was built as a strip mall, and it was built for retail, but I don’t believe it was ever used for retail,” Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell, R-Stockport, said Friday. “Most recently, Galvan moved its offices in there. And Bard College and Coarc were there, but they moved out some time ago.”
With the purchase price, plus anticipated renovations and contingencies, the overall estimated project cost is $8,715,500, according to a statement from the Board of Supervisors.
The county will acquire the property from its current owner, the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, through a transfer of ownership, Murell said.
Murell said the purchase does not mean the county and Galvan, which has evinced an interest in 610 State St., plan to swap buildings.
“If at some point we decide to sell 610, Galvan is free to submit a bid like everyone else, but the county would like at some point to get rid of it,” Murell said.
Galvan Vice President of Initiatives Dan Kent did not immediately return a call requesting comment.
CEDC President and CEO F. Michael Tucker said the CEDC held a contract with Galvan Initiatives Foundation since May. The Board of Supervisors voted to enter an assignment agreement through which the CEDC would assign its rights under the contract to the county to acquire the building.
At this time, 610 State St. is home to the Columbia County Probation Department, Public Defenders Office and the 911 Backup Call Center. The call center will be decommissioned when the new 911 center at Commerce Park is complete. When it is all-systems-go, the active 911 center in the Columbia County Public Safety Building will be converted to the backup call center.
With the high price of commercial construction, the amount needed to build a new building to meet the county’s needs makes the cost of new construction prohibitive, Murell said.
“Eleven Warren Street solves a multitude of issues,” Murell said.
Among the issues outlined by the Columbia County Department of Public Works are space and storage concerns with the Board of Elections at 401 State St., and the aging county building at 610 State St.
“Eleven Warren Street is a unique opportunity, with a number of features that make it attractive to the county,” Public Works Commissioner Ray Jurkowski said.
A long-term independent building condition assessment conducted in 2019 estimated that maintaining 610 State St., adjusted for inflation, stands at $5.1 million.
“Six-ten State Street, a building that dates back to the 1880s, has been identified as an issue. The purchase of 11 Warren St. means the county will not have to make a significant investment in upgrades and renovations to that building.”
The county Board of Elections operates in the county building at 401 State St., where new voting machines are stored in the basement, a condition Jurkowski described as less than ideal.
“This is not the best situation,” Jurkowski said. “The machines are a big investment and there are concerns with storing them in that environment.”
A county Board of Elections is required by state law to maintain its offices within the limits of the county seat. A ballot initiative would be needed to move it out of the county seat.
Some supervisors are enthusiastic about the acquisition.
“I stand strongly behind the purchase of 11 Warren St. It’s a no-brainer,” said Austerlitz town supervisor and county Deputy Chairman Robert Lagonia. “It’s a huge game-changer for the county.”
Livingston town supervisor, county deputy chairman and Finance Committee Chairman James Guzzi said the building’s architecture will work in the county’s favor.
“With its open floor plan, no interior load-bearing walls, it’s a good fit in terms of simplicity, and it allows us to move office space around in different ways,” Guzzi said. “It’s in good shape and it fills a void for the county in a good way.”
Murell said that when the move out of 610 State St. is complete, it can be placed on the market and restored to the tax rolls.