Amazon Hudson Valley Facility Moves Forward

SCHODACK, NY — Amazon's plan to build a million-square-foot distribution center on Route 9 in the upper Hudson Valley has moved a bit closer in the permit process.

To the dismay of neighbors opposed to the big project, the Schodack Planning Board issued a "negative declaration" July 2 saying that in-depth environmental review of the project is not needed, the Albany Times-Union reported.

While the project is tentatively scheduled for completion next fall, Rensselaer County officials are still worried enough about it happening that they're planning to offer a substantial property-tax reduction, the paper reported. The facility would handle the big items for sale on the website, such as household appliances. The 116-acre site is just south of Exit 11 on Interstate 90, southeast of Albany.

Read the entire article on timesunion.com.