Price Chopper to move HQ to Schenectady November 15, 2007 at 4:18 pm by Alan Wechsler, Business writer
Golub Corp., the Rotterdam-based owner of Price Chopper supermarkets, plans to move its headquarters to a new building in Schenectady. Up to 1,000 employees will eventually occupy the new building.
The move, to be completed in 2009, will allow the company to expand its Rotterdam warehouse by 500,000 square feet over the next five years.
The news was announced this afternoon at the GE Theater at Proctors, to a room filled with Price Chopper executives, local officials and the press. It comes at the end of a month-long celebration of Price Chopper’s 75th anniversary.
Neil Golub, president and chief executive of Golub, also said the company was planning to open 30 new stores during the next three to four years, plus expand or renovate a number of other stores. Included in the mix is the Central Avenue store in Colonie, which will be replaced by a new store, and store expansions in Malta, Saratoga and Granville. Two other new stores in New York and two stores in Connecticut are also planned for the immediate future.
The new headquarters will be located on a 9.5-acre parcel adjacent to Union College, located on Nott Street near Erie Boulevard. The property, called College Park North, will be developed by the Galesi Group. The developer plans to lease the $22 million building to Price Chopper for 30 years when it’s completed in 2009.
First and foremost, Mr. Golub IS a major playing of the Metroplex and is in fact on the board. (conflict of interest, perhaps?). And I question why Golub bought up those homes on Dunnesville and Rt 7, I thought that was suppose to be for their office complex. So now along with the tax incentives Golub will surely receive, Golub has robbed Rotterdam of a the tax base.
Thank you Mr.Golub. I guess we know where his loyalties rest.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
SCHENECTADY Golub moving head offi ce Company announces long-term growth plan BY JAMES SCHLETT Gazette Reporter
A long-vacant and contaminated site on Nott Street will house the headquarters of Golub Corp., which is relocating its corporate offi ces from the Rotterdam Industrial Park to make room for more warehousing space and a larger chain of its Price Chopper supermarkets. Marking its 75th anniversary, Golub on Thursday announced a long-term growth plan that will see the Rotterdam grocer vastly expand its presence in Schenectady County. That plan calls for a $22 million, sixfloor office complex at the former Big N Plaza in Schenectady and four warehouse expansion and construction projects totaling about $50 million in Rotterdam. Golub is pursuing those projects in the county so it can support the development of 30 more stores within its six-state Northeast footprint. It already has 116 stores. “The first thing is growing the business. That’s what creates the need for more warehousing and offices,” said Golub President and Chief Executive Officer Neil Golub. Construction on Golub’s 240,000-square-foot headquarters is expected to begin next September and should be completed by October 2009. The facility will sit on a 9.5-acre parcel with more than 800 parking slots. About 750 people will work at the building, which could draw up to 1,000 people into downtown daily, Neil Golub said. Golub Corp., which has been based in the sprawling Rotterdam Industrial Park since 1961, decided to relocate its corporate offices because it was running out of room to grow at the campus off Route 7. Company officials had considered moving the headquarters to other sites in Schenectady, Albany and Rensselaer counties. Golub expects to employ up to 1,200 at the built-out Rotterdam warehousing operation, compared to 800 now. At the industrial park owned by the Galesi Group, Golub plans to add 89,000 square feet to its perishable goods warehouse and 100,000 square feet to its grocery warehouse. It also plans to build a 40,000-square-foot merchandise recovery center and a 275,000-square-foot general merchandise warehouse. Galesi also owns the Big N parcel. “With [Golub’s] investment, we’re making Schenectady brighter than it has ever been,” said Schenectady Mayor Brian Sratton. Golub’s move will bring Stratton closer to fulfilling his 2003 mayoral campaign promise to redevelop the derelict Nott Street site, which once housed a 91,000-square-foot Big N store. The American Locomotive Co., also known as Alco, previously owned the Big N property. The site is a brownfield and needs to have contaminated soil removed. “It’s a great project, a great win,” said Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen. The city’s YMCA is raising funds so it can relocate its State Street facility to the Big N property, which has been dubbed College Park. The new YMCA will be built on a 5-acre site behind Golub’s headquarters, on Peek Street. The Graduate College of Union University had also eyed College Park for an $8 million, three-story classroom and office building. Union is now looking to build that facility elsewhere in the city, said Gillen. “A lot is going to spin off this. You’re going to see a lot come out of that area because of Price Chopper,” said state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna. Neil Golub said his company will have a “green” headquarters in Schenectady. It will incorporate an energy-efficient deign that should get Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. He said the proposed YMCA — with its day care facility — made College Park a big draw for Golub. Union College, which should be able to provide a steady stream of skilled workers, also attracted Golub to downtown. “We’re really going to make an effort to do something spectacular there,” said Neil Golub. Despite the loss of the Golub headquarters, Rotterdam Supervisor Steve Tommasone said the warehousing buildout puts the town in a “growth pattern.” He called Golub the “shining star for Schenectady County and New York state.” However, county Legislator Joe Suhrada viewed the announcement with less optimism. He accused County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage of keeping Rotterdam “in the dark” on the Golub negotiations by not filling an empty seat on Metroplex’s board of directors. “This is a devastating blow to Rotterdam, and I think it was politically motivated,” said Suhrada, R-Rotterdam. Golub unveiled its growth plans at Proctors’ new GE Theatre, which the Golub family helped to create with a $750,000 donation. The announcement also came two days before the 75th anniversary of the family-owned grocery chain, which brothers William and Bernard Golub started when they opened a Green Island grocery store on Nov. 17, 1932. From that single store emerged the Central Market chain, which changed its name to Price Chopper in 1973. By 2005, Price Chopper’s annual revenues had grown to $3 billion. Golub employs more than 24,000. The Golub announcement marked the largest of a series of investments recently unveiled within the county. Savage said the county has announced more than $100 million in private investments over the past 30 days — a first for the county. On top of Golub’s $70-millionplus investment, the General Electric Co. said it will spend $39 million rehabilitating part of its Erie Boulevard campus to make room for 500 new workers. Fortitech in Schenectady said it will invest $4 million for distribution and research and development centers at a new Airport Tech Park on Route 50 in Glenville. “Today is a special reminder of how far we’ve come,” said Savage. In New York, Golub plans to build new Price Choppers in Hamilton and Warwick. In Connecticut, new supermarkets are slated for Durham and Windsor. The grocer plans to expand Price Choppers in Saratoga Springs, Malta and Granville. It will replace stores on Central Avenue in Colonie and in Shrewsbury, Mass. PETER R. BARBER/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER Price Chopper president and CEO Neil Golub, center, shares a laugh with Schenectady County Legislature Minority Leader Robert Farley, left, and state Sen. Hugh Farley before Thursday’s news conference.
Well, I don't really know what to think about this. In the short run, Rotterdam is going to be losing jobs. In the long run, I don't know how this is going to affect the value of the property, and therefore the taxes, of this land and the tax rates for other residents of the town and school district, as this property changes value.
I never knew that P.C. was buying up all the houses that were in that stretch along Duanesburg Rd, but it doesn't surprise me that someone was. I just wonder what this leaves as the possibilities for this area.
Quoted Text
“Today is a special reminder of how far we’ve come,” said Savage.
If this don't say it all, though. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. It's obvious how far we've come. Sunk to a new low.
These new Golub expansions in Rotterdam will certainly double the tractor trailer traffice (TTT) in Route 7 corridor. The CITGO truck stop is currently packed at all times of day so the proposed Flying J's truck stop on the Crounse farm looks like it will be shoe-in regardless of what Rotterdam Town officials say. Take a drive over to the traffic light on Route 7 at the 25A/I-88 interchange and count the number of tractor trailer trucks during just one traffic light cycle. You'd be surprised and so are the neighborhood residents who thought they were buying prime property.
Tractor trailer traffic will definately increase. Not only with the Golub warehouse expansion, but also with the McLane's distribution center as well. Mix that up with the proposed Flying J's and I believe that ALL of Rotterdam will experience an increase in tractor trailer traffic. Trucks from exit 25 will cross town to get to the Flying J's.
I don't know what you base the idea that Flying J's will be a shoe-in, when most thought Wal-Mart would be a shoe-in as well. And again, although some may think that the Flying J's will just effect the Rt7 corridor is just being short sighted as it WILL impact the entire town and possibly the surrounding counties.
I live on Rt7 and the tractor trailers are too numerous to count. And we should always keep in mind Schalmont high school and the impact it will cause them as well.
I read the article earlier and did not see a down side to it. Yes Rotterdam would lose the Corporate Headquarters, but would be replaced with the expansion of the warehouses. This should bring the jobs lost from the headquarters into the warehouses. I think it is a win for Schenectady and will cause employees to utilize the downtown area. It is certainly a win for Mr. Golub, congratulations and good luck to him. His business sense, risks taken over the years, and plenty of hard work has made his family business grow. I see the downside of the increase in TTT. That intersection is a nightmare. I have had several tractor trailers pull out in front of me through the years. They pull out from the Citgo when I'm going east and never yield to me when I'm traveling west. They have run redlights and gone right across traffic leaving everyone to scurry and avoid an accident. I have had some very close calls. Instead of speculating on this forum about the Flying J someone might want to give Steve Tommasone a call and see whats going on. You know how speculation goes....next thing you know it's gospel.
EDITORIALS The greening of Schenectady with the Golubs
Today is the Price Chopper supermarket chain’s 75th anniversary. And what a present it gave itself and its home county this week, announcing two huge projects with lots of jobs for the city of Schenectady and Rotterdam! The announcement was made in the heart of downtown, in the brand-new GE Theater at Proctors. Which is quite fitting, because Neil Golub, Price Chopper’s president and CEO, has had as much to do with the resurgence of downtown as anyone — he was one of the driving forces behind the Schenectady 2000 cleanup effort and the Metroplex that it spawned — and the Golub family has been strong supporters of Proctors in the past and contributed $750,000 toward the GE Theater. But it’s not just downtown; over the years, Neil and other Golubs have shown their generosity and commitment to the community in any number of ways. At the same time, he has always made it clear that he is a businessman. That was the reason he gave for closing smaller stores like the one in Sheridan Plaza and the Mini-Chopper on Van Vranken Avenue. — and for the current expansion plans: The company will be increasing its 116 stores around the Northeast by 30, and will require more space to support that growth. It hasn’t enough space at its campus off Route 7 in Rotterdam, where its distribution center and corporate headquarters are now located. So Golub Corp. will spread the wealth, adding vastly more warehouse space ($50 million worth) in Rotterdam and moving its corporate headquarters to a $22 million, six-story office complex to be constructed at the old Big N site in Schenectady. When it opens in late 2009, about 750 people will work there. The site has been vacant for many years and contains some contamination from the days when it was used by Alco. It is a classic brownfield, and was scheduled to be cleaned up anyway, with state incentives, and used for a new YMCA. But the YMCA is still raising funds. Golub Corp.’s presence should help ensure that this project happens — indeed, the prospect of being next to the Y was part of what sold the company on the site. And it should help everything in the area, including the businesses on Van Vranken Avenue and in Little Italy, as well as downtown. It could also provide some buyers for those riverfront condos soon to be built in the Stockade. Finally, it could make the Alco project more likely by showing the state, which is considering reducing brownfield redevelopment incentives, how important they are. In this case, the Big N site will not only be cleaned, but occupied by a showcase green building. Back in the days when Neil Golub was pushing Metroplex, his chief antagonist, then-chairman of the county Legislature, Frank Potter, asked him if he was so committed to the city of Schenectady, then why did he have his operation in Rotterdam? Well, it took awhile, but Golub is now in the city — in a big way — without abandoning Rotterdam — in fact, investing and growing there as well. Happy birthday, Price Chopper. All of Schenectady looks forward to celebrating many more of them with you.
You want to know how AVON believes Flying J is a shoe in. I know someone that lives in the area that contacted Flying J for a set of the proposed plans for that site. They sent plans for the "Schenectady Site" to build a market, sporting goods store and the truck stop. Since there is no market in the area, and a High School with children needing sporting equipment almost across the street, the proposed plan shows positive benefits to the community. This is the argument to overrule an illegal spot zone, Public Benefit. Although the truck stop doesn't have the benefit, the other elements of the project does. This company is smart, they are experienced, and they have the money to bring Rotterdam to there knees. Just wait and see, you don't pay over 3 million for a piece of property unless you are sure you can develop it as you choose!
Flying J is also RV friendly and allow RV's to park there at night and hopefully do some shopping while in Rotterdam. Flying J has lower gas prices than most gas stations and also sells propane if residents need it. There are also down sides as well that have been mentioned in previous postings so time will tell on this issue.
I would think that the $3M was contingent upon the passage of this project.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
A good move First published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Price Chopper supermarket chain outgrew its hometown boundaries many years ago. But the Golub family, which has steered the company's growth over four generations, has never forgotten its roots in Schenectady. And now, 46 years after setting up the company's headquarters in nearby Rotterdam, Price Chopper is proving that, yes, you can go home again. And just in time. The announcement last week that Price Chopper would move its headquarters from Rotterdam to a site near Union College means a huge boost in the effort to revitalize downtown Schenectady. Construction of a six-story, $22 million headquarters could begin as early as 2009, and eventually 850 to 1,000 employees -- out of a company work force of 24,000 -- will be assigned there.
But the numbers barely begin to tell the whole story. For example, the headquarters will be on the site of a former brownfield, and will serve as an example of how once-contaminated industrial sites -- so numerous in Northeastern cities -- can be reclaimed for development.
Nor will Schenectady's good fortune come at Rotterdam's expense. Instead, the Golub Corp. plans a major expansion of its warehouses there over the next five years. Together, the new headquarters and the Rotterdam expansion are expected to cost some $40 million.
In 1933, when the first Central Market (as Price Chopper was known back then) opened its doors close by Schenectady's Central Park, the chances of succeeding in a Depression-era economy were bleak. But the store not only survived, it also became a catalyst for growth.
And in succeeding decades, when Schenectady's major employer, General Electric, began shipping out tens of thousands of jobs amid complaints about New York's anti-business climate, Price Chopper kept on growing. Today, there are 116 stores throughout six states, and plans for more. At the same time, some stores elsewhere in the Capital Region will be renovated and expanded.
But the real winner is Schenectady itself, where the business climate is changing for the better. Other companies charting consumer trends and providing products and services to match them might think about making a similar commitment to the city.
THE ISSUE: Price Chopper will build a headquarters in Schenectady
THE STAKES: Downtown renewal depends on investment in the future
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