September 26, 2025
Albany, N.Y.The Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority (ACPHLA), together with its redevelopment planning and design consulting team led by CPL, hosted the second of three “Reimagine Saint Rose” community visioning workshops Thursday evening, advancing the effort to gather public input and collaboratively chart a future for the former College of Saint Rose campus in the Pine Hills neighborhood. The 26.5-acre site, acquired by ACPHLA in early 2025 for $35 million via tax exempt bonds, remains the focus of a community-driven planning process.
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy welcomed attendees to the workshop, and spent time speaking one-on-one with county residents to reinforce the value of community input.
“These workshops are an important part of the redevelopment process and allow us to also share how ongoing community input is aligning with market data and the conditions of the campus buildings and infrastructure,” said County Executive McCoy. “We are seeing growing support for the County’s vision for the campus, especially related to the development of a community and senior center, use of recreation facilities and open greenspace. I look forward to the final public workshop next month.”
Thursday’s three-hour, open format session drew more than 200 neighbors, community members, organizations and county residents for breakout sessions and interactive exercises for input. This workshop centered on informal conversation and listening, as the planning and design team set up stations illustrating key concepts and the group’s findings, with exercises designed to focus public feedback and spark fresh ideas from the community.
“The energy and ideas shared at this workshop show just how much this project means to the community,” said ACPHLA Chairman Nick Mazza. “From education and workforce opportunities to housing and retail and green space, residents are helping us imagine a future for the Saint Rose campus that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of Albany County. This collaborative process is laying the groundwork for a plan that will serve generations to come.”
Key components of the preliminary vision include education and workforce opportunities, small retail, public spaces with amenities, community services, and mixed-age and mixed-income housing.
The workshop was facilitated by River Street Planning & Development and Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR), and featured market data and analyses from Cresa Partners. Neighbors in Pine Hills, community groups and constituents from across Albany County participated in sharing insights and feedback.
ACPHLA will host the final of three public workshops on October 29. A final strategic plan for the campus is expected to be delivered by November 2025. More information is available at reimaginesaintrose.com.