Thanks to the Troy Redevelopment Foundation, a variety of projects that benefit the community are underway or completed. Established in 1995, the Troy Redevelopment Foundation (TRF) is a voluntary consortium of not-for-profit institutions in the City of Troy, including Emma Willard, St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP), Russell Sage College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

“Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to our community’s health and vitality,” said Martin A. Schmidt ’81, Ph.D., RPI president and TRF treasurer. “It is our pleasure to collaborate with like-minded institutions, through the Troy Redevelopment Foundation, to make possible projects and programs that celebrate Troy and contribute to its culture, economy, and wellbeing.”

The TRF contributed $227,500 for the conceptual design and construction documents for five waterfront locations. This included the design of Riverfront Park’s soon to be relocated Korean War monument, the Green Island Gateway concept and the Federal Street linkage study, the Marina North concept and construction documents, and the revision of the Ingalls Avenue portion of the Riverwalk.

“The City of Troy is grateful to the Troy Redevelopment Foundation for making possible projects that improve the lives of our residents,” said Mayor Patrick Madden. “Together, we are building a better community for our families by improving safety, enhancing opportunity, celebrating culture, and recognizing our rich history are priorities that will benefit each and every one of us in Troy.”

Low‐income youth and families in Rensselaer County will benefit from a new Community Resource Center Bridge at the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), thanks to $100,000 from TRF. The building will house three Head Start classrooms, a meeting facility and office spaces for program expansion, and it will provide a base of operations for the Troy Youth Alliance, a group of organizations serving youth in the City of Troy. CEO plans to offer GED classes, parenting classes, financial and personal wellness, and other community‐based needs with the goal of changing lives and improving the community.

“CEO is excited about this project and the benefits it will offer to the youth and families in our community,” said Sue Rosa, President/CEO of CEO. “We are thankful for the support of the Foundation and the ability to work with other institutions and community partners looking to improve Troy’s overall wellbeing for all of its residents.” 

With a $25,000 contribution, the TRF made possible a study on how to connect the Hillside neighborhoods to downtown and make Hoosick Street more pedestrian-friendly from downtown to 15th Street. It developed a concept for 6th Avenue to the north and south of Hoosick, and Hoosick Street under the bridge, some of which will begin to be implemented through striping and with implementation of the Federal Street linkage study.

The Lansingburgh Historic District benefitted from $20,900 from TRF that funded a study resulting in the nomination of the district for state and national historic register listings. The designation was approved late last year and revitalization efforts are being planned.

Also of note, TRF contributed $15,000 to the Hart Cluett Museum for an exhibit on Rensselaer County history, $12,500 for a conceptual re‐design of Federal Street between the Green Island Bridge and 6th Avenue, $7,000 for an incubator space for public-artist interaction at TheLAB at Collar Works, and $1,200 for the City of Troy to produce a video on public safety, cultural activities, and other projects.

"Russell Sage College is proud to provide financial support to the City of Troy, in addition to the roles we play in creating jobs, educating the next generation, and providing intellectual capital, volunteers, public greenspace, public safety forces, and cultural events to the Capital District," said Christopher Ames, president of Russell Sage College.

“Emma Willard School’s long history is closely entwined with the City of Troy and we remain resolute in our support of the initiatives that make this a vibrant and vital community to be part of,” said Jenny Rao, Emma Willard head of school and TRF trustee. “Service and support to others are key aspects of our approach to teaching and learning, which we hope is modeled through our commitment to the Troy Redevelopment Foundation.”

“The strength of health care lies in collaboration – not just the collaboration of colleagues and disciplines in the health care setting, but also the collaboration of the community, ensuring everyone has access to the right care, at the right place, at the right time," said Lori Santos, SPHP vice president of Ancillary and Support Operations and TRF board member. "Our partnership with Troy's many not-for-profit organizations under the umbrella of the TRF is a true collaboration, one that shines a bright light on a very healthy future for Troy."