📆 BETHELEHEM AREA EVENTS

🏗️💻 MORE ON HISTORIC KENWOOD PROPERTY - A PROPOSED $2.8 BILLION TECH CAMPUS! 🚀🏢

🏗️💻 KENWOOD TECH CAMPUS PROPOSAL SPARKS COMMUNITY DEBATE ACROSS ALBANY & BETHLEHEM 🚀⚡

⚾🦅 FROM #8 SEED TO SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS! WHAT A RUN FOR THE BETHLEHEM EAGLES! 🏆👏

🎉🏘️ COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES AT THE ST. THOMAS BLOCK PARTY! 🎈☀️

Introducing the Bethlehem Area Live Community Calendar

JUNE 7th - Sunday

JUNE 8th - Monday

JUNE 9th - Tuesday

JUNE 10th - Wednesday

JUNE 11th - Thursday

🏗️💻 MORE ON HISTORIC KENWOOD PROPERTY - A PROPOSED $2.8 BILLION TECH CAMPUS! 🚀🏢

A major redevelopment proposal could transform the historic 76-acre Kenwood Academy property in Albany into one of the region's largest technology-focused campuses. 💡🌎

The owners of the former Kenwood Academy site have unveiled plans for a mixed-use development anchored by a massive:
💻 500,000-square-foot data center

The proposal, known as Kenwood Commons, would also include:
🔬 Research and development labs
🏢 Office space
⚙️ Clean technology manufacturing facilities
🏠 Nearly 300 apartment units
🛍️ Ground-floor retail space

According to project representatives, the development could ultimately attract up to:
💰 $2.8 billion in total investment

🏡 A project years in the making

Developer Michael-Henry Elghanian-Krayem said several concepts were explored after acquiring the property through foreclosure in 2023, including:

🏘️ Market-rate housing
🏠 Affordable housing
📦 Warehouse and logistics facilities

After studying those options, the development team shifted toward a technology-centered campus that they believe better fits both economic needs and community concerns.

📈 Potential economic impact

Project materials estimate the development could:
👷 Support thousands of construction jobs
💼 Create approximately 500 permanent jobs
💰 Generate an estimated $190 million in state and local tax revenue over 10 years

Officials say the initial campus construction could cost approximately:
🏗️ $570 million

with additional investment occurring as future tenants build out office, laboratory, and technology spaces.

🌱 Environmental considerations

Developers say the proposed data center would:
⚡ Operate using existing power grid infrastructure
💧 Utilize a closed-loop cooling system with minimal water usage
🌬️ Have no direct impact on local air quality

The project team says environmental considerations have been a major focus throughout planning, particularly given the property's location near Albany's South End neighborhood.

🏘️ Why local residents are watching

Data centers have become increasingly important as demand grows for:
☁️ Cloud computing
🤖 Artificial intelligence
📱 Digital services
💾 Data storage

Supporters point to the potential for:
💼 Job creation
📈 Economic growth
🏗️ Property revitalization

At the same time, projects of this scale often generate community discussion around:
⚡ Energy usage
🚗 Traffic impacts
🏘️ Neighborhood compatibility
🌱 Environmental concerns

The proposal remains in the planning stages and would still require review and approvals before construction could begin.

For many residents, the future of the historic Kenwood property represents one of the most significant redevelopment opportunities currently being discussed in the Capital Region.

🔗 Read more:
https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/kenwood-owners-propose-2-8-billion-tech-campus-22289589.php

#CapitalRegion #AlbanyNY #KenwoodCommons #DataCenter #EconomicDevelopment #TechCampus #CapitalRegionBusiness #AlbanyCounty #CommunityDevelopment #FutureOfTechnology #BethlehemLocalNews #UpstateNY 💻🏗️🚀

🏗️💻 KENWOOD TECH CAMPUS PROPOSAL SPARKS COMMUNITY DEBATE ACROSS ALBANY & BETHLEHEM 🚀⚡

The proposed $2.8 billion Kenwood Commons technology campus continues to generate discussion throughout Albany and Bethlehem as more details emerge about the redevelopment of the historic 76-acre former Kenwood Academy property. 🏢🌳

While developers say the project could bring significant investment, jobs, and technology-focused growth to the Capital Region, community members and elected officials are raising questions about potential impacts on energy, water, traffic, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

🏡 How did the proposal evolve?

According to the project's developer, several concepts were studied before settling on the current vision, including:

🏘️ Market-rate housing
🏠 Affordable housing
📦 Warehouse and logistics facilities

Developers say each of those options faced financial, regulatory, or community-related challenges.

The current proposal centers on:

💻 A 500,000-square-foot data center
🔬 Research and development space
🏢 Offices and technology businesses
⚙️ Clean-tech manufacturing facilities
🏠 Nearly 300 apartments
🛍️ Retail space

🌎 Big names involved

The project team includes:

🏙️ Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates — the internationally known architecture firm behind projects such as Hudson Yards in New York City

📐 Local firms CHA and Hershberg & Hershberg are also participating in planning and engineering efforts.

⚡ Community concerns emerge

Since details of the data center became public, questions have surfaced regarding:

⚡ Electricity demand
💧 Water consumption
🚛 Traffic impacts
🌱 Environmental effects

The project has attracted attention because filings suggest the facility could require substantial power, although developers say the proposal is significantly smaller than the massive AI-focused "hyperscale" data centers being built elsewhere in the country.

Developers maintain that:

✅ The data center would occupy only a small portion of the site
✅ Water usage would be limited
✅ The facility would have a smaller environmental footprint than larger data center projects

🏛️ State lawmakers weighing in

The proposal has also entered the broader statewide conversation about data centers.

State Senator Patricia Fahy recently cited concerns surrounding projects like Kenwood while supporting legislation that would temporarily pause approvals of certain new data centers while New York studies energy and water impacts.

The measure would still require Governor Kathy Hochul's approval before becoming law.

🏡 Bethlehem residents paying attention

Because the property sits near the Albany-Bethlehem border, local residents are closely following discussions about potential impacts beyond the city itself.

At a recent public forum hosted at the Bethlehem Public Library, residents discussed questions involving:

⚡ Regional power generation
💧 Water resources
🌎 Environmental considerations
🏘️ Long-term community impacts

Some local experts have noted that any increase in electricity demand could have ripple effects throughout the region's energy system.

📈 Potential benefits highlighted

Supporters of the project point to possible:

👷 Thousands of construction jobs
💼 Hundreds of permanent jobs
💰 Significant tax revenue generation
🏢 Revitalization of a long-vacant property

Developers estimate the project could generate approximately:

💰 $190 million in state and local tax revenue over ten years

while helping attract technology and research businesses to the Capital Region.

🏚️ Preserving history while looking forward

The historic Kenwood property has deep roots in the region's history, having served as:

🏡 A 19th-century estate
⛪ A convent and religious campus
🎓 Home of Kenwood Academy

Developers say the proposed design attempts to preserve elements of the site's historic character while creating a modern technology campus.

For now, the proposal remains in the early stages and would require:

📋 Zoning changes
📋 Site plan approvals
📋 Environmental review
📋 Additional public input

As discussions continue, many residents on both sides of the Albany-Bethlehem border are watching closely to see what the future may hold for one of the Capital Region's most recognizable historic properties.

🔗 Read more:
https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/kenwood-owners-propose-2-8-billion-tech-campus-22289589.php

#KenwoodCommons #AlbanyNY #BethlehemNY #CapitalRegion #DataCenter #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityDiscussion #TechCampus #AlbanyCounty #FutureOfTechnology #BethlehemLocalNews #CapitalRegionBusiness 🏗️💻🌎

The magical postseason journey came to an end Saturday, but what a season it was for the Bethlehem Eagles baseball team! 💙🧡

Bethlehem Central battled hard against West Genesee in the 2026 NYSPHSAA Class AA Regional Championship, falling just short in a nail-biting 2-1 contest.

The Wildcats earned a measure of revenge after Bethlehem defeated them in a memorable matchup back in June 2024, but the Eagles left everything on the field in another outstanding postseason performance.

What makes this run even more impressive? The Eagles entered the Section 2 Class AA playoffs as the #8 seed. Few expected them to make a deep run, but Bethlehem had other plans.

🔥 Upset victories.
🔥 Clutch performances.
🔥 Team-first baseball.
🔥 A Section 2 Class AA Championship.

The Eagles proved that rankings don't determine heart, determination, or belief. Their incredible postseason run brought excitement and pride to the entire Bethlehem community and showcased the resilience that defines this program.

While the season ends one game short of the state semifinals, the Eagles leave the field as champions and a team that will be remembered for turning an underdog postseason into a remarkable championship story.

👏 Congratulations to the players, coaches, families, and supporters on an unforgettable season!

Bethlehem, you should be proud. 🦅⚾💙🧡

#BethlehemEagles #Section2Champions #EaglePride #BethlehemBaseball #GoEagles #NYSPHSAA #ClassAA #BethlehemNY #StudentAthletes #CapitalRegionSports #ThisIsBethlehemNY #CommunityPride #ChampionshipRun #BaseballSeason #BethlehemLocalNews

What a fantastic Saturday afternoon in Bethlehem! Families, friends, and neighbors came together for an afternoon packed with fun, laughter, great food, and community connections at the Bethlehem Community Block Party hosted by St. Thomas School. ❤️

There truly was something for everyone to enjoy:

🌮 Delicious food trucks
🛍️ Local vendors and shopping
🎶 Live music throughout the day
🎯 Lawn games and a competitive cornhole tournament
🎈 An amazing Kids Fun Zone featuring:
• Bounce houses
• Petting zoo & pony rides 🐴
• Rock climbing wall 🧗
• Face painting 🎨
• Magic show ✨
• DJ dance party 🎵💃

Events like these are what make our community so special—bringing people together, supporting local businesses, and creating memories that last long after the day is over.

📸 Check out the photos below!

👇 Were you there?
What was your favorite part of the day? Did your kids enjoy the petting zoo, bounce houses, or dance party? Let us know in the comments!

#BethlehemNY #StThomasSchool #CommunityBlockParty #FamilyFun #BethlehemLocalNews #ShopLocal #CommunityStrong #DelmarNY #GlenmontNY #SlingerlandsNY #CapitalRegionEvents #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #FamilyFriendlyFun #ThisIsBethlehemNY 🎉🏘️❤️

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