TROY, NY (Troy Record) — According to legal representatives of the City of Troy’s landlord, First Columbia, City Hall will remain at 433 River St. for the next three-and-a-half years, not the 18 months the city administration is aiming for.
“It couldn’t be any clearer. The Mayor signed that lease,” law firm Tully Rinckey CEO Michael Macomber, who is representing First Columbia President Kevin Bette, said. “The early termination — whatever you want to call it — that the Mayor has submitted is not really valid. The lease stands.”
Troy has rented the fifth floor of the Hedley Place since 2010. The lease, signed in July 2024, was a renegotiated agreement between the city and First Columbia that had an early termination clause option allowing the city to move out by Jan. 1, 2027. Otherwise, the lease extends to Jan. 1, 2029.
The termination clause reads in part: “In the event the City Council approves a new City Hall site, Tenant shall be entitled to a one-time termination option…Early Termination may be effective only as of January. 1, 2027, and notice must be given on June 1st, 2025 for the one-time termination option.”
The city gave notice on May 30 to First Columbia of their intention to vacate as the city moves into a new City Hall, a major goal of Mayor Carmella Mantello’s. At a City Council meeting on June 5, Mantello said they planned to announce the chosen new location soon.
However, the City Council has not yet voted on any proposed location and does not know what the location is, according to conversations after the meeting with the Majority and Minority leaders. As such, the early termination clause is “null and void,” Macomber said in a letter sent Monday to Troy’s Corporation Counsel.
Mantello Spokesperson Alex Horton sent the Record an emailed statement when asked about commenting on the situation.
“The City of Troy has lawfully and timely exercised its option to terminate the lease with First Columbia at 433 River Street. On January 1st, 2027, we expect to be in a new City Hall site approved by the City Council.”
