Albany Board Selected Developer for Saint Rose Campus
The Pine Hills Land Authority will negotiate a redevelopment deal with the Jankow Companies.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Commercial
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The Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority has voted to negotiate the redevelopment of a 3-acre portion of the former College of Saint Rose campus with the Jankow Companies. The developer was chosen from three separate proposals to potentially oversee the demolition of up to 17 former college buildings.
Why it matters
The authority concluded that renovating the aging existing structures on Partridge Street and Western Avenue would not be profitable for developers. This move signals a strategic shift toward clearing the site to facilitate new construction following the college's closure.
The 27-acre campus was originally purchased by the authority for $35 million, while the specific 3.27-acre tract recently sought development proposals. Officials identified 17 buildings as candidates for demolition.
The players
Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority
This board manages the strategic redevelopment of the former college campus site in Albany.
Jankow Companies
Established in 2009, this developer was selected to lead the redevelopment of the 3-acre tract.
College of Saint Rose
This private institution closed its doors permanently at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.
First Columbia LLC
This real estate firm agreed to purchase the Lally School of Education building in early 2026.
The details
The project targets properties located between 178 to 200 Partridge St. and 350 to 380 Western Ave. after a 33-page request for proposals was issued by the authority earlier this year.
Timeline
The College of Saint Rose concluded operations at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.
First Columbia LLC agreed to purchase the Lally building for $4 million in February 2026.
The authority issued a request for proposals for the tract in May 2026.
The board voted to enter negotiations with the Jankow Companies on October 8, 2026.
Roadmap
The redevelopment follows a larger trend of urban institutions closing and transferring land to local authorities to stimulate economic renewal. This process mirrors efforts in other cities to convert defunct private college real estate into public and private mixed-use spaces.
Residents in the Pine Hills neighborhood may see significant construction and demolition activity as 17 buildings are slated for potential removal. These changes reflect the neighborhood transition following the college's closure and the relocation of sheriff and veteran services to the area.
The takeaway
The selection of the Jankow Companies marks a pivotal transition in the efforts to repurpose the defunct college campus. Local stakeholders should monitor upcoming briefings to understand how the planned demolition will alter the neighborhood footprint.
What happens next
A news conference to explain the project is expected to follow the board meeting held on October 8.
Further reading
For more information on regional development trends, visit Albany Commercial.
Live Poll
Do you support converting shuttered college campus buildings into new mixed-use housing and retail spaces?
