As residents of Modena and Gardiner rally in opposition to a proposed warehouse project, two other warehouses have recently made headlines for other reasons.

In Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that $10 million will be committed to demolish the abandoned Central Warehouse building in downtown Albany. The building has stood boarded up, abandoned and dilapidated for decades. It’s an eyesore that she says she often sees while traveling through downtown Albany. Now the State of New York is paying to get rid of it.

Closer to home, a much newer structure could someday face a similar fate. Amscan, Inc., which operates a warehouse high above Route 17K and overlooking the New York State Thruway, announced that it would be closing by the end of the year. The manufacturer and distributor of party supplies will cut 117 jobs.

It begs the question: if there is empty warehouse space, why are we clearing land and building more warehouse? The Wall Street Journal, in January, reported that the warehouse vacancy rate increased in 2023, to 5.2 percent, up from 3.1 percent the previous year. The real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield reports that about a fifth of U.S. office space was vacant as of the end of last year.

Yet new warehouses are being built. Residents of Modena and Gardiner are lining up in oppositions to a proposed 75-bay trucking warehouse on Route 44-55. Residents fear the congestion along a country road and wonder if the perceived benefits like low-paying jobs will balance the environmental concerns, especially when many of these places may not last.

Repurposing old warehouses is an environmentally responsible choice. New construction often involves the clearing of green spaces and the consumption of vast amounts of raw materials. This process not only destroys local ecosystems but also contributes significantly to carbon emissions. In contrast, adapting existing buildings for new uses requires fewer resources and generates less waste. By reusing these structures, we can preserve our natural landscapes and reduce our carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change.

Economically, repurposing makes sense as well. The cost of renovating an old warehouse is often significantly lower than the expense of new construction. It is a choice that respects our environment, makes economic sense, and enriches our communities.