---

The former St. Teresa of Avila middle school building in Albany was recently purchased by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church, however, has some different plans for the property.

The church intends to demolish the existing building to construct a new building with a larger parking lot, according to members of the Helderberg Neighborhood Association who were informed of the plans by Mormon officials.

Attempts by The Evangelist to reach Mormon leaders directly were unsuccessful.

Noel Olsen, director of the Albany diocesan Office of Real Property, said that the Mormons will then build a new worship site on the property.

In 2009, St. Teresa's School merged with Holy Cross School in Albany at the latter site to form All Saints Catholic Academy, leaving St. Teresa's two school buildings - located on either side of New Scotland Avenue - unused.

According Mr. Olsen, ownership of the property was transferred June 1 to the Mormon church, which will soon submit an application for a building permit. That will require approvals by Albany's board of zoning appeals and planning board.

St. Teresa's former grammar school building is for sale, as well. One potential buyer, according to the Office of Real Property, is the Care for LIFE Foundation, a non-profit organization formed by Troy-based Seton Health System, Inc., and the Diocese's Cusack Community Services Corporation.

The Care for LIFE Center would offer primary medical care, physical and occupational therapy, adult day health services and care management for the elderly of the area.

Also, according to the Helderberg Neighborhood Associa-tion, the program would take their services to participating seniors' homes "to deter inappropriate hospital and nursing home admissions."

The center has no plans to demolish the school building, but would remodel the interior and add a covered entry outside for arriving patients.

(09/09/10) [[In-content Ad]]

---