After years of inactivity, the former Guilford Mills factory may soon be getting tenants.
Officials from Green Recycling Solutions International, which owns the Cobleskill plant, were in town last Wednesday to size up the work needed to begin renting space to tenants.
Roofers, engineers, and representatives from one tenant, Cooperative Extension, National Grid, and the water department were at the site last Wednesday.
They toured the first building at the former Guilford Mills plant. The roof of the 100,000-square foot building is "not bad," according to Vincent Gori of GRSI. The front building is nearly totally empty, with the main section resembling an airplane hangar.
Work on the roof should begin soon, according to Mr. Gori.
"I'm patching it. I want to get my tenants in," Mr. Gori said.
"Our roofer will be the first to begin working on the building. It's imperative that there are no leaks...etc. in order to begin the interior process," added Barbara Acuff, GRSI's chief financial officer.
Mr. Gori did not have a date on when the work will begin.
"I don't know a date yet. It's a process."
Two tenants, Sakat Consulting and USA Intimates Apparel have been approved for the building by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Empire State Development, Mr. Gori said.
Representatives from Sakat Consulting were to tour the building on Wednesday afternoon and officials from USA Intimates are to come by in two weeks, according to Mr. Gori.
Both companies should be in the building by the end of the year, Mr. Gori stated.
The first mortgage payment is due in January and Mr. Gori said he wants the tenants in before then.
"Two tenants will be in the building by January 1. They've already marked out their space, and have met with the architect," Ms. Acuff added.
He did note that computer aided designs should be done in about two weeks.
The plant contains several buildings, some in better condition than others, Mr. Gori noted.
"It's so big I want to do one section at a time."
He added, "That back building is shot," noting the work needed on the roof.
It is similar to a large mall at which one store will be added at a time, he added.
The old Guilford Mills offices will be redone and the two tenants will have spaces closest to the electrical power, Mr. Gori said.
Much of the remaining space in the first building could be used as a food hub that would link Upstate farmers to the New York City Market.
Empire State Development has provided a $50,000 grant for a feasibility study for the hub. The hub would be a collection point for food from the Mohawk Valley and surrounding areas and a distribution center to ship goods Downstate and to other metropolitan areas.
"It's a pretty big space," commented Don Smyers, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties. "Let's see what they come up with."
Nick Green of Lamont Engineers was also at the plant on Wednesday.
The first phase of the study will be done in November and then a business model will be developed, according to Mr. Smyers.
"There's many hurdles to overcome."
The building does not need an electrical substation, just a regular hookup, according to Mr. Gori.
An application for a hook-up has been sent in to National Grid.
The former Guilford Mills factory required a substation but it was scrapped by one of the owners before the county took ownership of the building.
In addition to beginning work on the roof and interior of the building, Ms. Acuff noted that GRSI will meet the county's August 20 deadline for insurance on the buildings and other work.