Demolition To Begin On Central Warehouse In Albany NY

Project Complements Governor Hochul’s $400 Million Championing Albany’s Potential Initiative To Revitalize Albany’s Downtown Core 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the beginning of the demolition of the Central Warehouse in Albany. For decades, the Central Warehouse building has been an eyesore discouraging investments and economic growth for the community. Governor Hochul is stepping up and providing $11.6 million in State funding to tear down Albany’s number one symbol of blight. The funding for this project was recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council to encourage community development and neighborhood growth through the elimination of blighted structures. This project complements Governor Hochul’s Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative, a $400 million State investment to revitalize Albany’s downtown core. 

“Out with the old and in with the new — the Central Warehouse has been an eyesore for our State’s Capital Region, and today, we are finally taking the necessary steps to do something about it,” Governor Hochul said. “The demolition of the Central Warehouse will not only eliminate blight, unused spaces, but it’ll allow for new opportunities to bolster the community and uplift economic growth.” 

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “Thank you to Governor Hochul for her steadfast support of this effort, adding more than $11.6 million to our County ARPA fund investment of $3 million to get this project over the finish line. The Central Warehouse has been the biggest eyesore in upstate New York for decades and became a symbol of economic decline rather than growth. Its demolition will mark a new chapter for our community and serve as a powerful reminder that change can happen, even if it takes years of persistence. Now, we will begin the process of envisioning what happens next.” 

The Central Warehouse, prominently located alongside I-787 at the entrance to Downtown Albany, is an 11-story eyesore that has slowly deteriorated in front of the entire Capital Region for the last several decades. While significant attempts have been made to rehabilitate the building, it became clear that demolition is the only viable option. 

The project plan includes a six-month asbestos abatement phase immediately followed by a demolition phase. It will generate approximately 90,000 tons of clean concrete which will be sent offsite for beneficial reuse/recycling, diverting this waste stream from the landfill. In addition to removing a prominent, contaminated and deteriorating eyesore, the project will create a 1.1-acre investment-ready site in a growing area of the City of Albany. 

Championing Albany’s Potential 

Governor Hochul’s FY26 Budget established the Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative, a more than $400 million, collaborative, State-led effort to revitalize Albany’s downtown core in partnership with the local community. This includes $200 million in funding to plan and implement projects that reinvigorate commercial corridors, strengthen small businesses, promote housing growth, and revitalize underutilized real estate and open spaces. The CAP initiative also includes up to $150 million to transform cultural experiences in and around Albany’s Downtown such as the State Museum, up to $40 million to advance plans to reconnect communities divided by Interstate 787 and $1.5 million for public safety enhancements. Earlier this month, Governor Hochul kicked off the CAP Initiative’s first Downtown Albany Strategy public workshop, held at the Albany Capital Center. The workshop drew over 700 participants, including Albany residents and partners from business, academia and government. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “For years, Central Warehouse has loomed over the Capital City skyline in disrepair, and the demolition of this longstanding blighted building represents a new era for Downtown Albany. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, and in partnership with Albany County, bold actions are finally being taken, which will support new opportunities for revitalization and community development at a crucial point in the city’s long history.” 

 Read the full press release here.