Army to release 35 acres to arsenal business developer

An additional 35 acres at the Watervliet Arsenal will be released for private enterprise under an agreement with the U.S. Army and the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, Army Secretary Pete Geren said Friday.

The pending agreement between the two parties likely will involve the sale or transfer of the land so that the nonprofit can continue to attract high-tech companies to the site, officials said.

The partnership organization has attracted 20 companies and 250 employees to its 100,000 square feet of space since it started in 1999, said Tony Gaetano, president of the Watervliet, N.Y.-based partnership. The partnership currently occupies 22 acres.

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U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Rep Michael McNulty (D-Green Island), both of whom attended Friday's event, were instrumental in convincing Geren to tour the arsenal property, Gaetano said following a press conference held across the street from the arsenal.

McNulty called the agreement "a huge step forward."

At full build-out, the expanded 57-acre complex would create an additional 700,000 square feet of new and remodeled space, and up to 2,000 new positions, officials said.

"There has to be more space here for private-paying jobs," Schumer said.

The Army manufactures large-caliber cannons at the 140-acre arsenal. Those activities would continue.

Long-standing attempts to secure the land have been marred by governmental red tape.

"I think the issues we have to resolve will be resolved in short order," Gaetano said.

Some business have been put off by the Army's cumbersome gate and checkpoint system, he said, and the property transfer will allow the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership to set up less secured entrances for companies that do not benefit from the military security.

At least three companies have committed to move into the new complex, Gaetano said. He would not disclose their names.

"This will really help us build on a tech-based economy," said F. Michael Tucker, president of the Center for Economic Growth. The Albany-based nonprofit has a stake in the agreement because it operates the Watervliet Innovation Center, a separate organization that operates out of the Watervliet Arsenal. The nonprofit helps startup companies locate operating space, funding and business connections.