Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan on Tuesday called on candidates to apply for a seat on the Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority, a newly formed seven-person board that could purchase the former campus of The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

The applicant must be a resident of Albany County who is not employed by the city/county. Residents of the Pine Hills neighborhood of Albany with experience in economic development and real estate are preferred, Sheehan said.

"While the College may sell all or part of the campus directly to interested purchasers, the State created the Authority and gave it the right to issue bonds, acquire the campus and otherwise manage the disposition of the property," Sheehan said in the statement.

She said if the authority exercises its right to purchase the campus and is the successful bidder, the authority would responsible for the planning, operation and development of the facilities, and issuing of bonds, collecting fees and other income.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on June 28 signed a bill forming the land authority, which is tasked with finding new purposes for several properties owned by the former college, located in the city's Pine Hill neighborhood. 

It established the seven-member authority, to be staffed with four members appointed by the county executive, two members named by the chair of the Albany County Legislature and one member from the city mayor. All serve four-year terms.

Applicants for the mayor's seat should submit a letter of intent and resume by email to: mayor@albanyny.gov with the subject line “Albany County Pine Hills Land Bank Authority,” or via mail to City Hall. The deadline is Aug. 23.

The county Legislature said last month that county residents interested in being considered for appointment to the authority should submit their qualifications to the Office of the Chair, or email the Albany County Legislature clerk.