Rensselaer Properties on Columbia Street Being Reactivated With New Commercial Development
RENSSELAER, N.Y. (February 12, 2025) – On February 10, 2025 the City of Rensselaer Planning Commission approved two plans to reactivate vacant properties on the city’s Columbia Street Commercial Corridor. The former Aldi’s location at 307 Columbia Street will be developed as a Caliber Collision. Their design team from ADG out of St. Louis, Missouri have agreed to make greenspace improvements at the location to improve the aesthetics of the area. Representatives from 307 Columbia Street, LLC, an affiliate of Oldacre McDonald out of Nashville, Tennessee will break ground soon and have the Caliber Collision operational later this year. They indicate that Caliber Collision will bring approximately 15 new well-paid jobs to the community, a technician training program, Changing Lanes, a Career Skills Program training specifically for service members of the military transitioning into the auto body industry, and has a reputation for supporting local food pantries, youth programs, and other community projects.
Just down the road at 49 Columbia Street Polsinello Realty Corporation received Site Plan Approval to convert a vacant carwash into a retail building. Matt Polsinello plans to reactivate and invigorate this site with a commercial activity. The retail building will be on the south side of the Columbia Street Commercial Corridor that currently has a Walgreens, Dollar Tree, Barbershop, St. Peter’s Health Partners Health Center, convenience store and gas station, and used car dealerships. Directly across Columbia Street is the Skyline Diner, Hot Dog Charlies, a liquor store, a smoke shop and another convenience store and gas station.
The City of Rensselaer has numerous tools available to support business activity in the community. The City of Rensselaer Industrial Development Agency can assist with tax incentives. The city also has an Economic Development Revolving Loan fund and sponsors the first year of membership in the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce for new businesses in the city. Additionally, the city works with National Grid to provide information on the company’s robust suite of 18 economic development programs that are designed to promote business development and expansion.
Quotes
“These two new businesses will boost the Rensselaer economy with new commercial activity and good jobs for the community,” said Mike Stammel, Mayor of the City of Rensselaer.
“There has been, and continues to be, significant housing development in the City of Rensselaer. Developers are starting to notice this and are beginning to bring commercial and retail establishments to the community,” noted Jack Bonesteel, CEO and Treasurer, City of Rensselaer Industrial Development Agency.
“These developers were very interested in coming to Rensselaer and responsive to incorporating our ideas for their property,” added Tom Hulihan, City of Rensselaer Director of Planning and Development.
“The City of Rensselaer was very accepting of our plans and accommodating to our development and design team. They have a vision for the positive transformation of the community and they incorporate that into each project they work on,” said Tim Dearman, President at Oldacre McDonald, LLC.
“My family has been part of the Rensselaer community for many, many years. It’s great to see and be a part of all of the positive things happening in the city. We look forward to continuing to be a part of Rensselaer’s development,” said Matt Polsinello of Polsinello Realty Corporation.
“National Grid offers various economic development grants and energy efficiency rebates to invest in our communities,” said Kimberly Ireland, National Grid regional executive. “We offer these programs because when the regions we serve in upstate New York are growing, we all benefit.”