TROY — A high-tech future is what Rensselaer County wants to see in a downtown building that was a longtime Masonic Temple and now houses the Troy Area Senior Service Center.

Several companies have toured the 29,940-square foot building at 19 Third St. to view the property, said Robert Pasinella, executive director of the county Industrial Development Agency.

“We do have a vision for a tech center,” Pasinella said Monday.

The Rensselaer County Capital Resource Corp. is soliciting requests for proposals that call for a firm to buy the Third Street building. The project's goal is to "stimulate economic development and generate job growth in Rensselaer County, particularly high-tech jobs,” according to the advertisement for the program.

By selling the building, Pasinella said, the county will achieve its goal of restoring the parcel to the city, county and Troy City School District tax rolls. The county Legislature transferred ownership of the site to the Capital Resource Corp. for development purposes.

County Director of Operations Rich Crist said the county has received some "interesting ideas and proposals" about the building and now the process can advance.

Companies submitting proposals must include a development plan that includes the proposed use of the building and planned renovations. They also should seek to create jobs in new or emerging technology fields and the estimated the number of new jobs to be created along with the pay scales.

A proposed purchase price must be offered plus the total amount of money to be invested. They also should identify the businesses or academic institutions participating in the redevelopment. They also must show the record of applicants in undertaking such projects.

While the county is pursuing more high-tech investment to complement other businesses downtown, the company investing in 19 Third St. will have to make allowances for the Troy Area Senior Service Center continuing to operate there until it is relocated.

“At the same point, we are committed to continuing to provide senior services in Troy, with our current center one of the foundations of our programs for seniors," Crist said.

The firm that buys the buildings will have to permit the senior center to operate there while only paying it expenses for electric, natural gas and water services. The county estimates it could take as long as 18 months for a new senior center location to be found.

In 2017, former County Executive Kathleen Jimino struck a deal for the county to buy the Italian Community Center at 1450 Fifth Ave. to house the senior center while selling the Third Street building to developer and downtown property owner David Bryce for $575,000. It was projected that Bryce would convert the building into offices that would be attractive to high-tech businesses.

County Executive Steve McLaughlin ended that deal when he took office in an effort to find other locations for the senior center.

The proposals will be opened April 1 by the Capital Resource Corp. A decision on selecting a developer is expected by April 12.