NISKAYUNA, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Albany Medical Center is expanding.

Construction of their new state of the art facility is underway in Niskayuna.

The new building will go along Upper Union Street and Doctor Venditti with Albany Medical Center tells NEWS10 it’s not only a convenient location for the people who live there, but it’s also an appropriate one.

Growing up in the Schenectady area as a kid, he remembers the days when this stretch of Union Street was known as “doctor’s row.”

On Monday doctors from Albany Med put down their stethoscopes and picked up a shovel to celebrate their new 37,000 square foot state of the art facility.

The $8.5 million project will offer services for gastroenterology, cardiology, and general surgery, but Dr. Venditti says the most common use will likely be its urgent care. It’s a quick alternative to going all the way to the emergency room.

“That will be a facility staffed by emergency trained physicians and other providers that’s open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day of the year holidays included to from minor sprains to ear infections for your child,” said Dr. Ferdinand Venditti, Albany Medical Center.

“This is something that is good for young, old, middle age people use this facility come and it will be a neighborhood facility and we’re looking forward to that,” said Joe Landry, Niskayuna Town Supervisor

The facility is set to open in the spring of 2017.