Hi, I'm hoping to get full membership on this site soon, so I'd thought I'd share a lot of history and details on my favorite spot!
NAMES: Al Tech Specialty Steel, Allegheny Ludlum Speciality Steel, Altx.
LOCATION: Albany, NY.
GPS CORDS: (DM ME)
MY PHOTOS:
https://www.flickr.../72157708079175105 HISTORY: Ludlum Steel moved from Pompton, NJ to Watervliet NY after being bought by Edwin Corning, he bought it from the original owner Willam Ludlum. The Corning family was very popular in the Captial District Area, Erastus Corning was the mayor of Albany NY and also owned a Troy, NY ironworks business. Edwin Corning was not new to success. Around 1909ish Ludlum Steel would make one of the first batches of stainless steel in America. In 1939 Ludlum Steel would merge with Allegheny Steel and form Allegheny Ludlum Incorporated. From 1950 to 1952 they would role depleted uranium billets for the United States Government. During WW2 they have accredited the "E Award" from the US War Department. This Award was given to them for making steel for planes that fought in the war. Also around the '50s, they would make one of the first batches of titanium. In the '70s Allegheny Ludlum was bought out by the workers and changed to Al Tech Specialty Steel. They would go on to make steel for the Space Program, Airplanes, Needles, Cars and other things. They were booming. At there peak, they employed over 5000 workers. But Hard times were near. Soon the company would change owners again. This time to Sammi Steel, (there was another company to around this time but it's less important. I'll update the history when I look through the files again). Sammi Steel would go on to close the plant in the late '90s. One of the buildings would be used again in the early 2000s for 2 years, that became known as "Altx" they extruded shapes out of steel. But that would soon end leaving the site abandoned. Most of the plant is still standing with exception of the Melt Shop and Caster building.
Accessibility: In my mind, it used to be very easy, but the NYSDEC has fixed a few ways in. It still isn't hard, but with all the trees being cut down inside it is easy to be seen from certain areas. When moving throughout the plant try to stay in buildings as much as possible. Please Don't park your car right out front. The Fire Chief in the area isn't stupid and he will notify Colonie police, who will respond. I really hate getting a trespass warning on my record because you can't be bothered to walk a couple of blocks. I have seen people get arrested because they park their car right alongside it and the CPD will enter the site.
Is it worth it? Yes, as someone who has been there over 200 times I am still finding new areas. The Site is huge. Many office buildings are untouched. The site is awesome to explore. The only thing we dislike is the Graffiti Artist. Yes, it's cool, but again I like exploring without the walls covered in the stuff. It'd be nice if you did your graffiti somewhere else. Aside from that, a lot is left. I know a few ways in. I cannot release them publicly as by the rules but if you want to go DM me and I will help you out.
Future Site plans: As of now the DEC has proposed to excavate the contained ground soil from the Main Plant Area. This will be started in the spring/summer. They have already started cutting down trees. They will fill the soil in with gravel. You can find the full superfund plans here:
https://www.dec.ny...hemical/96987.html Hazards: Asbestos is a big issue along with PCB's. I have also found a bottle of NACN which is Sodium Cyanide. The lab has a lot of dangerous chemicals left so please be careful. Unsafe flooring is an issue as well.
Security: The Fire Chief Drives by every day and will report trespassers. A CPD officer who lives by lincoln avenue returns home for a bit and drives by around 4:30 PM. A man who lives up the street will call the cops for you even standing outside of his house to get pictures of the outside of the plant. CPD is normally not very strict with the place (that is unless you get the patrol captain, he's kind of an ass) there is NO on-site security. Sometimes DEC workers are present. The site is fenced in. There is wooden bordering on some of the building that extends outside the fencing.
I will be uploading property drawing of the plant soon! We are also making a doc on the mill If you are interested to look up "The Story Of Al Tech" on youtube. There is a really bad trailer. It's the first one I made so try to be kind! Thank you for reading if you need any info reply to this or DM me and I will be sure to respond!