ALBANY — Construction activity at the Sandidge Way apartment complex off Fuller Road in Albany had neighbors scratching their heads on how developers were able to continue work amid state orders for non-essential construction to halt.
Work that continued at the market-rate housing project on the outskirts of the capital city is an example of the many caveats Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY Pause order carved out to allow developers to complete, or button-up, projects. This was before restrictions on construction lifted Wednesday in the Capital Region, now that the area has met the seven necessary benchmarks to begin a phased reopening of its economy, which has been shuttered for two months in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Construction on roads, bridges, utilities, hospitals or healthcare facilities, transit facilities, homeless shelters, schools and affordable was allowed to continue under a specific set of guidelines, including maintaining social distance. The construction of essential businesses was also able to continue. Business that supplies these endeavors also has remained open, according to the executive order.
However, construction was also allowed to continue if it was deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of people in the structure, or if allowing the project to remain undone would be unsafe, the order outlines.
State officials said local governments have been the main enforcement mechanism for the restrictions in place.
Albany Buildings Director Rick LaJoy said National Grid has been doing essential infrastructure work at the site and about a week ago, he granted approved developers doing work to ensure the public’s health and safety.
“Now that we were going past two months, leaving the site in the condition it was in was a health and safety issue due to moisture saturation which could become mold and rot,” LaJoy said of his decision to allow work to resume May 11. “They were allowed only after they submitted their work plan that was directed by the Department of Health and executive order guidelines.”
A couple of other ongoing projects in Albany also were granted approval to resume work because of issues after sitting idle for an extended period of time, LaJoy said. Some of those projects include 760 Broadway and the new apartment building at the former Playdium property on Ontario Street.
These projects have drawn ire from Albany neighbors who fear traffic congestion, localized flooding and lower property values because of the higher density buildings.
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Even before Phase 1 reopening, work at Albany construction site continued - Times Union
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