SCHUMER ANNOUNCES SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVES $300,000 FOR SARATOGA MEDICAL PARK AT MALTA

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Senate Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee has approved the FY10 Appropriations Bill which includes $300,000 for the Saratoga Medical Park at Malta (SMPM). The funding would be used to extend a water line 1 mile to the Saratoga Medical Park at Malta site.  This could allow the site to be developed into an integrated health care campus over a 15 year time horizon. Schumer worked closely with members of the Appropriations Subcommittee to include funding for the project in this year's spending bill.

"It is critical that we provide topnotch healthcare for our growing communities in Saratoga County," Schumer said. "By extending the water line to the Saratoga Medical Park, we are one step closer to developing a new, integrated health facility. This funding will not only help provide high quality healthcare for both current and future residents, but will also provide jobs and spur community development across the entire region."

Saratoga Hospital will use the funding to extend a water line from the Town of Ballston to the Saratoga Medical Park at Malta site. The estimated cost of this project is $1,716,000. Of this total cost $1,584,000 would be used to bring the water line from the town of Ballston to the site and the rest of the funds would be  used to bring the water to the center of the site. There are substantial community benefits if the water line is extended. The water line would help ready the SMPM for development. For SMPM to reach its full potential of 100,000 square feet and up to 2,000 jobs, the site must become ready for development, meaning utilities must be available at the site. The availability of water would significantly enhance the attractiveness of the site for development.

Secondly, the extension of the water line to the SMPM site would make municipal water available to the parcels of land between Eastline Road and the SMPM entrance along Route 67.  This would encourage the development of these parcels, and interior parcels as well.  Further, the Albany Catholic Diocese owns a parcel of land adjacent to SMPM and the availability of water to that site will help encourage its development.

Now that the bill has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, it will be sent to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. Following approval by the Full Committee and the Senate, the bill will move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.

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