TROY, NY (Times Union) — Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello’s recent attempt to move City Hall out of rented space in Hedley Park Place is null and void, according to landlord First Columbia.
Firm attorney Michael Macomber alleges that the City Council failed to pick a new City Hall site by June 1, as underscored in an amended contract and as such, Mantello cannot terminate a lease agreement with the company.
He’s referring to terms in an amended contract with First Columbia, which was approved in July. Under his argument, the city might have to stay in the building until 2029 despite hoping to leave in 2027.
“This is a one-time termination provision that they failed to exercise, so they are obligated under the lease to serve the remaining term of the lease or pay the charges of the remaining terms of the lease,” Macomber said. “The fact of the matter is that the lease is valid.”
Alex Horton, a spokesperson for Mantello, said in a statement that the administration is taking all of the right steps to move.
“The city of Troy has lawfully and timely exercised its option to terminate the lease with First Columbia at 433 River Street,” Horton said. “On Jan. 1st, 2027, we expect to be in a new city hall site approved by the City Council.”
Troy has rented space for its municipal offices since its former city hall at 1 Monument Square was leveled in 2011 to make way for commercial development that has never happened. It’s been a tenant at the River Street building since 2012. After multiple failed efforts to find a permanent home, Mantello has been determined to exit the fifth floor of the nine-story building, in part, due to what she considers to be unfair expenses.
Troy defaulted on $176,316 in common area maintenance charges in 2024 out of more than $600,000 in annual expenses. The city is currently challenging those charges.
Following the termination letter, tensions between Mantello and First Columbia president Kevin Bette reached fever pitch. Bette, in an interview with the Albany Business Review, called Mantello’s administration the “most incompetent” city administration he’s ever dealt with. Mantello told the Times Union she doesn’t want to do business with someone “unhinged.”
Regardless of the hostility, Macomber said that First Columbia is still interested in serving as a home for the city and has no plans to stop doing business with the administration.
Troy has rented space for its municipal offices since its former city hall at 1 Monument Square was leveled in 2011 to make way for commercial development that has never happened. It’s been a tenant at the River Street building since 2012. After multiple failed efforts to find a permanent home, Mantello has been determined to exit the fifth floor of the nine-story building, in part, due to what she considers to be unfair expenses.
Troy defaulted on $176,316 in common area maintenance charges in 2024 out of more than $600,000 in annual expenses. The city is currently challenging those charges.
Following the termination letter, tensions between Mantello and First Columbia president Kevin Bette reached fever pitch. Bette, in an interview with the Albany Business Review, called Mantello’s administration the “most incompetent” city administration he’s ever dealt with. Mantello told the Times Union she doesn’t want to do business with someone “unhinged.”
Regardless of the hostility, Macomber said that First Columbia is still interested in serving as a home for the city and has no plans to stop doing business with the administration.
