TROY – The state recently renewed an expired $1.5 million grant for work at 1 Monument Square and the city anticipates the proposed redevelopment going into the planning review process in spring, the city's planning commissioner said Thursday night.

The State Department grant will permit the city to move ahead with developing public access and improvements at the 1.2-acre site between River Street and the Hudson River as the city attempts for a fifth time to have the spot developed, Planning Commissioner Steven Strichman said. The grant expired at the end of 2018.

The state grant will be matched by the city, bringing the total available to $3 million to assist Hoboken Brownstone Company of New Jersey in building on the site, vacant since 2011 when the former City Hall was razed.

Strichman and Dylan Turek, director of economic development, briefed the City Council Planning Committee on the status of talks with Hoboken over reaching a land development agreement that will set the stage for building at the site.

Strichman said the agreement should be reached by the end of the year with the company then moving into reviews by the city Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Historic Review, which may be done first to discuss finishes for the buildings’ exteriors. He said the city and company are talking weekly about the project.

Hoboken had projected a $30 million project with small stores lining the River Street side of the site, as well as at least 75 apartments, a parking garage, public space, access from River Street to Riverfront Park and offices that may include co-working space, high-tech firms and gaming companies.

Turek advised council members that the design of the project will change as Hoboken deals with the financial aspects of building on the site and getting a return on its investment.

The project has followed a request for qualifications process in which city residents and businesses have expressed what they want to see built at the site in the heart of downtown. In the four prior failed attempts, the developers offered proposals that were eventually attacked by residents, political leaders and businesses.

“The public inclusion aspect has been key to ensuring success from the onset. I’m happy with the current approach and look forward to continued public inclusion through to project completion,” said Councilman T.J. Kennedy, D-6th District, the Planning Committee chairman.

Councilman Jim Gulli, R-1st District, a committee member, expressed guarded optimism.

"While we are excited to see 1 Monument Square activity move forward we hold a sense of caution as we await the first plan proposed by the developer. We support the great work of our planning department to deliver the people of Troy's vision on that location,” Gulli said.

The renewal of the state grant will provide seed money for the city to tackle aspects of the project. Turek said the city will deal with infrastructure issues at the site, which will include relocating utility lines. The grant also will help provide access from River Street down to Front Street and the south end of Riverfront Park.

“I’m glad the grant has been extended. Troy continues to see great revitalization. One Monument Square is obviously the centerpiece of the city and would be great to see it developed as the public wishes,” said Assemblyman John T. McDonald III, D-Cohoes, who with state Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Bethlehem, had supported the renewed grant.

Strichman said the city will seek $10 million through the state’s competitive downtown revitalization initiative grant program and support Hoboken’s applications for other state funding opportunities.