TROY — Capital District Community Gardens has chosen the former Geier & Bluhm building at 594 River St. in Troy as the site of its new headquarters and produce distribution operation.

The nonprofit organization has a contract to purchase the two-story brick building, which was listed by Prudential Blake Commercial, Realtors, for $350,000. It's not clear how much Capital District Community Gardens was offering for the building.

"I can't speak to the price," said James J. Conroy, the agent handling the listing. "It's a great use for the property," he added.

Officials at the nonprofit were to meet with Troy city officials Monday afternoon about the project, which would give the organization more space.

It currently operates from a building at 40 River St. at the southern edge of Troy's downtown.

Capital District Community Gardens was founded in 1972 as Gardens for All and supported in its early years by Troy rototiller producer Garden Way Mfg. Co.

The program provided seeds and tools, as well as rototillers, to neighborhood residents who turned vacant lots into gardens where they could harvest fresh vegetables and fruits.

By 1975, the organization became Capital District Community Gardens, and since then has expanded to nearly 50 garden plots in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties.

The organization now has nearly two dozen employees.

It considered moving out of Troy last autumn after failing to get city planning office approvals for a temporary greenhouse and other projects.

Other area cities actively courted the organization.

But a change in city administrations at the beginning of this year apparently has improved the situation.

"The current administration has been very helpful and we're excited to be working with them and excited to find a space here in Troy," said Amy Klein, Capital District Community Gardens' executive director.

Capital District Community Gardens plans a multiyear capital campaign to help raise the estimated $3 million cost of the project, which will take place in two phases and includes building acquisition, renovations and construction of a new annex that will accommodate its produce distribution operations.

In addition to supporting neighborhood gardens, the organization purchases produce from local farmers which it distributes through such programs as The Veggie Mobile, the Healthy Convenience Store Initiative, and Squash Hunger, which supplies food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

Klein said the organization was thrilled that it would be in Troy's North Central neighborhood, and could help revitalize the area.

Its planned urban growth center that will offer programs ranging from organic horticulture courses for local farmers to entrepreneurial job training and support for startup businesses will also be part of the project.

"We're really excited about the project," said Bill Dunne, Troy's commissioner of planning and economic development. "We think it will have a transformative effect on a part of the city that has been overlooked."

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