Updated
Updated · WNYT NewsChannel 13 · Jun 19
Albany County Drops 2-Year Vacant McDonald's Plan, Eyes MVP Arena Parking Lot
Updated
Updated · WNYT NewsChannel 13 · Jun 19

Albany County Drops 2-Year Vacant McDonald's Plan, Eyes MVP Arena Parking Lot

3 articles · Updated · WNYT NewsChannel 13 · Jun 19

Summary

  • Two years of county talks to turn Albany’s long-vacant former McDonald’s into a bus station and community space have collapsed, leaving the south end site without a redevelopment deal.
  • County leaders blamed competing ideas and outspoken critics for derailing consensus, saying opposition drowned out residents who supported the project.
  • The setback revives a fallback option: demolishing the building and using the parcel as a parking lot for MVP Arena.
  • The property has already seen one failed reuse effort after a grocery store there closed in 2023, and city officials said public discussions will continue as they seek a new investor.

Insights

With a $7M project dead, can Albany find a new plan for its South End before a parking lot becomes permanent?
Albany has $400M for revitalization. Why did a key $7M project fail so spectacularly due to resident opposition?