PRESS RELEASE

Columbia Development Companies          Galesi Group
30 Corporate Circle                                                     P.O. Box 98
Albany, New York 12203                                  Guilderland Center, New York 12085

For more information contact:
Richard Rosen, Project Manager
518-862-9133

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/18/97

18TH CENTURY ALBANY RISES FROM THE PARKING GARAGE AT 110 STATE STREET

Ten years after the archeological investigations were initiated, the final phase of the archeology for the proposed Comptroller's building at 102-110 State Street are about to be completed.  In 1987, investigations by Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. located a 17th to early 18th century deposit containing delft tiles, pantiles, and white saltglazed stoneware.  This year more 18th century deposits were found beneath the existing parking garage on the Howard Street side.  This historic archeological deposit, along with a 19th century privy, will be the focus of an intensive archeological excavation by Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. during the next four weeks.  Important research questions that will be addressed by this study include the relationship between home and work, dietary choices, life inside the 17th century community on the western boundary, consumer choices, and the development of Albany as an urban center.  These results can be compared with archeological materials found on Broadway located inside the northern wall of the earliest stockade.