The Chamber of Schenectady County honored the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Region One Headquarters and parking garage construction, as well as the State Street Streetscape for Outstanding Appearance at their 15th Annual Business Awards. The awards ceremony honored local business leaders and companies for their contributions to Schenectady County. The Chamber awarded the City of Schenectady for the State Streetscape and Turner Construction for the DOT Building.

Synthesis, in partnership with Turner Construction Company, was the lead design consultant for the development and construction of the new $20 million Regional Headquarters for the New York State Department of Transportation in downtown Schenectady. The “environmentally friendly” 125,000 square foot office building is a United States Department of Energy LEEDS Certified Bronze level “Green Building”. The building has also earned the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Silver rating. The design cuts utility and water usage, improves indoor air quality, and uses locally produced construction materials.

Synthesis was commissioned by the City of Schenectady to redesign State Street, the spine of the central downtown business district area, to accentuate its urban character and provide the setting for a massive redevelopment effort that includes new office space, commercial enterprises, and creation of an impressive arts district encompassing historic Proctor’s Theater. Part of the redevelopment project was the design of a metalwork span for the railway bridge with a major bus stop area underneath. The metalwork transforms each side of the bridge and lateral arches with supporting brick columns serve as a gateway from the west to downtown and create a memorable focal point for the street.