Leaders create Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Following the closure of the College of Saint Rose, local leaders looking to save the campus and the surrounding Pine Hills neighborhood created the Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority. The city of Albany has one seat to fill on the board and is looking for applicants.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan will appoint someone. To qualify, you must be an Albany resident but cannot be employed by the city or the county. She said the ideal candidate lives in Pine Hills and has a background in either economic development or commercial real estate.

"I often hear from individuals who have great ideas, but they're not plans," Sheehan said. "And, so, we have to make sure we have somebody on that board who understands the difference between having a plan with funding behind it and an ability to execute on that plan as opposed to just general ideas."

The application process will close on Friday, Aug. 23. Applicants must submit a letter of intent to Mayor Sheehan by email at mayor@albanyny.gov with the subject line “Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority" or by mail City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Mayor’s Office, Room 103, Albany, NY 12207.