Albany County Government: County Executive McCoy, County Legislature, Travon Jackson & Private Partners Announce Purchase Of Future Groc ...

Press release from the Albany County Government:

12/21/2021 12:09 pm

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy was joined with partners in government and the business community today to announce that the property where the former McDonald’s stood at 106 South Pearl Street in Albany and been owned by the Albany Housing Authority had been bought by the African American Cultural Center through a collaboration with private investors and key government officials. The news paves the way for the 1.55 acre property and 3,148 square foot commercial space in Albany’s South End to be converted into a grocery store, addressing a serious lack of options for fresh and healthy food in the neighborhood.

Joining County Executive McCoy for the announcement were African American Cultural Center Executive Director Travon Jackson, Albany County Chairman of the Legislature Andrew Joyce, Albany County IDA and Legislative Black Caucus Chair Bill Clay, Albany County Capital Resource Corporation Chair Gary Domalewicz, and representatives from MVP Health Care, CAPCOM FCU, Key Bank, Downtown BID and the Advance Albany County Alliance. 

“Equity has been one of my highest priorities as Albany County Executive, and underserved minority communities like the South End have been left behind for far too long. Today is an exciting new step in the process of ensuring more of our residents have access to fresh produce and healthy food, without having to worry as much about how they’re going to get to the store,” said County Executive McCoy. “Health equity is not a goal that gets accomplished overnight and it does take a village, but this announcement is a great example of how the public and private sectors can come together to overcome big challenges.”

Grant and loan contributions from CAPCOM, Key Bank, the Albany County Capital Resource Corporation, BlueLight Development Group and MVP Health Care covered the $850,000 closing costs. Additionally, MVP Health Care, CAPCOM, Key Bank and undisclosed philanthropists have already committed a combined $150,000 to support the first year of the grocery store’s operation. If BlueLight Development and the African American Cultural Center are unable to secure an appropriate occupant, they have letters of interest from the Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Capital Roots to operate satellite locations for local residents to obtain healthy food options for free or at cost.

"I am elated to announce the successful purchase of 106 South Pearl Street for the South End Grocery Store. Thank you to BlueLight Development Group, Albany County, CAPCOM, KeyBank and MVP Health Care for their immense support,” said Travon Jackson, African American Cultural Center Executive Director & BlueLight Development Group President. “The people of the South End, Black and oppressed peoples have reason for joy today. It is my honor to endow assets and control of production in a sovereign means for these people. I look forward to our formal opening in Spring."

“The acquisition of the former McDonald's site in the South End of Albany by Travon Jackson and BlueLight Development Group, through a partnership with Albany County, is a monumental success for so many reasons. We are finally working toward addressing the food desert which has existed in the South End for far too long and it signifies a great partnership between young, civic-minded entrepreneurs like Mr. Jackson, the experience of great statesmen like our Legislative Black Caucus Chair Bill Clay, and the economic development focus with our Advance Albany County Alliance and its CEO Kevin O'Connor,” said Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce. “We look forward to finally bringing food options to the South End and potential wrap-around services on site with Albany County agencies.”

“I, along with the members of the Legislative Black Caucus, are proud to be a part of Travon Jackson’s accomplishment of getting one step closer to bringing a grocery store to the South End. Since fresh food is not always available in distressed neighborhoods, it makes it harder for those who do not have any means of transportation to pick up groceries across town. Tackling food insecurities and shutting down food deserts on the local level is a moral obligation and I am proud to have watched the whole process unveil from the very beginning. I look forward to seeing everything this project has to offer,” said Legislative Black Caucus Chairman William Clay.

“The Albany County Capital Resource Corporation is proud to have stepped up to be a part of this new venture for Albany. We hope this will inspire more businesses to invest in the South End neighborhood,” said Capital Resource Corporation Chairman Gary Domalewicz.

This press release was produced by the Albany County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.