executing a bold revitalization plan, Rensselaer Rising, to attract residents and businesses. “We’re back on the rise again,” explains Thomas Hulihan, Director of Planning, emphasizing the transformation of vacant industrial sites into housing and commercial spaces. Stammel’s vision is clear,“my goal when I first became mayor was to get a lot of these vacant properties... and have developers come in and do what they needed to do.” With support from the IDA and state grants, Rensselaer is turning history into opportunity. STRATEGIC LOCATION & ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES Rensselaer’s geographic and logistical strengths make it a magnet for businesses and residents alike. Situated just across the Hudson River from Albany, the city offers unparalleled connectivity. “We have access to the interstate, which could take us anywhere we wanted in an hour and a half or two hours, to New York City, Buffalo, Montreal, or Boston,” says Stammel. The Amtrak station, the eighth busiest in the U.S., serves nearly 800,000 passengers annually, creating a steady flow of potential customers for local businesses. “We get a lot of people who, if they’re waiting for train transfers, like to go through the city and visit some of the sites or go to lunch,” Stammel adds. In addition to transportation, Amtrak also provides jobs for the community with a maintenance yard that is one of six in the nation that is being upgraded for the Airo fleet. The others are in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Seattle. The city’s industrial potential is equally robust. The Port of Rensselaer, once neglected, is now a focus of renewed investment. “We’re working with the county government to provide new sewer and water infrastructure to support the port,” Stammel notes. Just beyond city limits, an industrial park linked to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) offers additional space for healthcare, manufacturing, and mixed-use ventures. Just east of Rensselaer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a campus and employs 4,500 employees locally. To attract businesses, the city and its Industrial Development Agency (IDA) deploy targeted incentives. Jack Bonesteel, IDA CEO, explains their 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 RENSSELAER, NY
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