By Cari Scriberner
For The Saratogian

Malta - Work on Eastline Crossing, a cluster of new commercial buildings, is under way at the busy intersection of Route 67 and East Line Road in Malta. 

Hal Schultz, president of HR Schultz Real Estate Development and of a construction company bearing his name, starting buying property at the location decades ago.  He now owns more than 40 acres.

"When I started buying land in 1979, this area was basically empty, but that's all changed now, "Schultz said Thursday. "Today, more than 15,000 cars pass by the site each day, and there is a population of 51,000 households with in a 15-mile radius.  The traffic has more then doubled and so has the population."

Schultz said he has had continuous inquiries over the years from people wanting to locate businesses in and around the site.  His concept plan calls for a clock tower and up to 75,000 square feet of retail, office or professional space.  Schultz said he is talking to prospective tenants including a pharmacy, bank, daycare center, video rental, dry cleaner, medical office, fitness center, gift store and convenience store.  In addition regional headquarters could be located there. 

Eastline Crossing is park of Ballston Commercial Park, a planned unit development offering light industrial, warehousing and large office space in another area of the site.  Schultz already has tenants in three buildings, including Snap-On Tools, Kelly Doors, Halstead Communications and Advanced Comfort Systems.

"The companies here now employ 150 people, and there is so much potential for more jobs to come, " Schultz said.  "That's part of the beauty of this project." 

Schultz has received site approval for some of the buildings and is meeting with the Malta Town Board on the remaining construction.  He said one of his driving goals is to create a spot without any of the aesthetic drawbacks of a strip mall.  

"The buildings already occupied are surrounded by green space and ponds, and they have cobblestone walls," Schultz said.  "This won't be something that looks thrown together."

Schultz hopes to complete the project in less than five years.

"I see this moving quickly, but it will be market-driven, because I won't be building on speculation," Schultz said.