BILL NUMBER: S1613A
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act directing the empire state development corporation, in conjunc-
tion with the office of general services, to create plans for the devel-
opment of mixed-use commercial and residential property on a certain
portion of the Harriman campus, and for redesign of the Harriman campus
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one sets definitions.
Section two directs empire state development, in conjunction with the
office of general services, to set aside 7 acres of the Harriman State
Office Campus for commercial and retail development until the completion
of the master plan pursuant until section three.
Section three directs the empire state development, in conjunction with
the office of general services, to create a master plan for the redesign
of Harriman Campus.
Section four set the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Plans to relocate New York's Wadsworth Public Health Laboratories from
the Empire State Plaza to the Harriman State Office Campus were
announced in 2023. This move will better enable to laboratories to meet
critical emerging health concerns for New Yorkers. The relocation offers
a significant opportunity to align with the State's priorities of grow-
ing its housing stock and fostering economic development by setting
aside 7 acres of the campus for mixed-use commercial and residential
development.
Dedicating a portion of the campus to housing allows for the development
of units catering to workforce housing as well as low- and middle-income
families. This supports state efforts to reduce housing insecurity and
promote economic mobility. Mixed-use development on the Harriman Campus
can better integrate the Campus into the surrounding community, creating
additional walkability and stimulating economic activity. Existing plans
for the redevelopment of the site for the Laboratories set aside a large
amount of the Campus for parking. New York should avoid repeating the
mistakes of 1960's-style car-centric development by allowing retail,
commercial and residential uses in this pace.
This legislation directs empire state development, in conjunction with
the office of general services, to allocate 7 of the 27 acres of the
Harriman Campus for the development of housing or mixed-use commercial
space. This provision ensures that redevelopment efforts include a
balanced approach, addressing housing needs while supporting economic
development.
Moreover, this legislation directs empire state development, in conjunc-
tion with the office of general services, to develop a master plan for
the redesign of the entire Harriman Campus. This plan will identify
further opportunities for mixed-use commercial and residential develop-
ment, the repurposing of portions of the ring road surrounding the
campus, as well as an analysis of parking needs in surface lots. The
plan will prioritize reintegrating of the Harriman Campus with surround-
ing neighborhoods in the City of Albany.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that section
one of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.