County Executive & Advance Albany County Alliance Partner with Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development to Kick Off Central Warehouse Demolition
County, Alliance leadership look ahead to Warehouse District’s next chapter
ALBANY, N.Y.—Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, the Advance Albany County Alliance Board of Directors and its leadership today joined Governor Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development in celebrating the first “swing” to demolish the Central Warehouse.
Governor Hochul and County Executive McCoy gave the order to ceremonially begin the demolition process, which is being led by the team of Gramercy Group, Inc. and LiRo-Hill. The partner companies, which together earned the bid for the massive and intricate project, have already begun work to analyze the Central Warehouse structure and design a process to bring it down slowly and safely.
“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.”
The $14.6 million demolition is being funded by Albany County and Empire State Development, with the majority of funding contributed from New York state at the direction of Governor Hochul. The process is expected to take up to 16 months, eventually clearing the way for new development in Albany’s lucrative and growing Warehouse District.
“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,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “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 serves 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, a 97-year-old decommissioned cold storage facility in North Albany, has largely been abandoned and deteriorating since the early 1990’s. Advance Albany County Alliance officially acquired ownership of 143 Montgomery Street and the Central Warehouse in January 2025 and selected its demolition contractor a month later.
“Governor Hochul, the state of New York and Advance Albany County Alliance are proving once again that our mission to grow and diversify the economy in Albany County knows no limits,” said Advance Albany County Alliance CEO Kevin O’Connor. “The demolition of Central Warehouse has been overdue for decades. By finally succeeding in taking it down, we will immediately revitalize Albany’s iconic skyline. In the long term, we will seek transformative development proposals and create a space worthy of the Warehouse District’s growing reputation as a destination for visitors to New York’s Capital City.”
Protection of the daily operating Amtrak rail line which borders the warehouse property is a chief priority throughout the demolition process, along with accommodation of neighboring businesses and the safe disposal of all building materials. Gramercy Group has committed to recycle as much of the demolished concrete and scrap metal as possible.
Advance Albany County Alliance and its contractors will share more information about the demolition process as is necessary, to ensure transparency and public safety.
About Advance Albany County Alliance: The Advance Albany County Alliance is a Local Development Corporation focused on business development and growth, retaining and attracting jobs and promoting Albany County. Collaborating with public, private and nonprofit interests to boost the county’s economy, services are offered at no cost to businesses and operations and are supported by public and private funders who are equally committed to the success of Albany County. Learn more by visiting advancealbanycounty.com.