Completion of Albany S.T.E.A.M. Garden Phase 1 Business Incubator

December 12, 2019

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Media – S.T.E.A.M. – is breathing new life into a once-vacant building, a neighborhood, and the Capital Region’s creative economy. The first phase of renovation of the former St. Patrick’s School on Central Avenue is complete, an opening celebration was held on December 11 and the S.T.E.A.M. Garden is now welcoming entrepreneurs and coworkers. For more information about the S.T.E.A.M. Garden, visit www.steamgarden.org or www.centralbid.com.

The nearly $2 million project was supported by $500,000 in New York Main Street funds from Homes and Community Renewal, a $350,000 Empire State Development capital grant at the recommendation of the Capital Region Economic Development Council and a $100,000 National Grid Main Street Revitalization Program grant from National Grid, additional support from the Toohey Foundation over 3 years and the UAlbany 518 Innovation Hot spot. The first workspaces are expected to open later this year. The S.T.E.A.M. Garden was also awarded a matching grant as part of the City of Albany’s Small Business Facade Improvement Program. Administered by Capitalize Albany Corporation, a program made possible by the Albany Community Development Agency and the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation. The program provides matching grants for exterior renovations.

The S.T.E.A.M. Garden is a collaborative effort led by the Central Avenue BID and its partners. The facility will provide affordable work-spaces for startup entrepreneurs and small technology tenants, it is planned to offer learning labs that offer workforce and entrepreneurial training sessions, WMBE certification programs as well as media studio and digital gallery space. Programs will include educational and training partnerships being planned through Hudson Valley Community College, the State University at Albany. The S.T.E.A.M. Garden will enhance connections between Central Avenue’s commercial assets, residential neighborhoods and nearby educational institutions. It will serve as a focal point of the Midtown Grid stretch of Central Avenue, a multi-cultural district in the heart of Albany that is home to a performing arts studio, an array of ethnic shops and restaurants, and numerous live music venues.