Demolition of Albany’s Central Warehouse Move Into Next Phase

Big changes are finally happening at downtown Albany’s long-troubled Central Warehouse, and people are about to start noticing a lot more activity around the building.

Crews have already finished removing asbestos from the first and second floors of the massive 11-story eyesore near the Colonie Street exit off of 787. That cleanup work started late last year and was a major first step before demolition could really move forward.

What's Next For The Demolition?

According to the Albany Business Review, the focus shifts to two big jobs: removing asbestos from the upper floors and tearing down the huge railroad spur connected to the second floor of the building.

That railroad structure is expected to be one of the most noticeable parts of the demolition. Workers will cut apart the giant steel spur section by section. Since it sits right next to active Amtrak train tracks, the process has to be handled carefully to avoid disrupting train service or damaging the tracks.

Where Is The Money Coming From?

Because of that, Albany County’s economic development agency had to put $900,000 into an escrow account to help cover Amtrak safety costs during the project. Much of the rail-related demolition could happen at night when fewer trains are running.

The entire demolition project is expected to cost up to $14.6 million, funded by New York State along with federal American Rescue Plan money.

Read More: Central Warehouse Demo Began in 2025

Once all the asbestos is removed, crews will begin taking the warehouse down from the top floor first, carefully working downward near the tracks before speeding up the process.

If everything stays on schedule, the Central Warehouse could finally be gone by 2027, or possibly sooner.