COHOES — It was raining outside as a completely dry news conference went on Monday to mark receiving a $500,000 state grant to help pay for the $1.8 million City Hall roof replacement project.

Yes, probably since the mid-1990s, the roof here at City Hall needed to be replaced. In all candor, we just didn't have the resources. The money wasn't there,” McDonald said.

It’s not a sexy project, but it’s essential.” McDonald, D- Cohoes, is awarding $500,000 in the form of a reimbursement grant to pay for part of the cost of replacing City Hall’s roof.