New vision: NABA expands holdings on Central

The Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany began their $3 million remodeling project this week. The organization demolished two buildings on Central to expand possiblities for their other adjacent holdings, which are a source of income for NABA, defraying operating costs for the expansive service program.

NABA resides at 301 Washington, and leases out offices next door at 299. This week, buildings located at 86 and 88 Central Avenue were bulldozed to make room for parking and a small dog park. This parking area, which is adjacent to 301 Washington, will serve the surrounding offices, including the newly purchased building at 80 Central.

Bought last year, the two-story office building at 80 Central is currently under renovation, with about $2.7 million worth of improvements planned for the inside and outside. The organization will also consider restoring the building's historic facade, with its soaring columns and intricate cornices. Once completed, NABA will look for a tenant to occupy the office space, to help generate income for their programming, said Christopher Burke, NABA's Executive Director.

The new parking lot next door will help entice tenants to the building, attracting many customers who otherwise not consider the location, Burke said. The private lot will be landscaped and gated, and an appealing addition to Central, he said.

"At the end of the day, we're bringing back a 2,400 square foot building, and bringing a Class A tenant into the district," Burke said.

NABA currently leases their space at 299 to SUNY Albany, and hopes to find similar tenants for the building at 80 Central. They are looking for a long-term non-profit or commercial tenant, Burke said.

NABA has been a district neighbor since 1958, and continues to be an active force in the district. "It's rare to have a non-profit stay and invest in an area," Burke said. NABA and its clients like being part of the fabric of uptown, with its supportive community and convenient businesses. Clients can walk to banks and restaurants, and the organization has a great relationship with the city and the police department, Burke said.

Getting people in and out continues to be a challenge, because parking can be hard to find. However, with the new lot and the newly leased spaces in the nearby Lexington Avenue lot, Burke is hopeful that visitors won't have such a hard time stopping in.

"This project shows our committment to the area," Burke said.