Albany NY redevelopment??? (Buffalo, Colonie, Troy: apartments, city hall, condos)

[jms2007]

Why do people think that Albany, as the capital of NY, has not had more of a renaissance? New building downtown, new restaurants...are there any plans in the budget for such>>> Are there incentives to open a business in downtown albany?

[juppiter]

The problem is 787. Center Square is beautiful and vibrant as it is, and doing pretty well AFAIK. But 787 completely blocks the river, which could also be a vibrant area.

State workers need 787 to get to work for now, but if gas prices climb even higher and more people return to city living, perhaps 787 can become irrelevant enough where it can be torn down and redeveloped.

[MrBiggz]

Originally Posted by jms2007

Why do people think that Albany, as the capital of NY, has not had more of a renaissance? New building downtown, new restaurants...are there any plans in the budget for such>>> Are there incentives to open a business in downtown albany?

Lets sum this up very simply; taxes, crime, taxes, crime.

Originally Posted by juppiter

The problem is 787. Center Square is beautiful and vibrant as it is, and doing pretty well AFAIK. But 787 completely blocks the river, which could also be a vibrant area.

State workers need 787 to get to work for now, but if gas prices climb even higher and more people return to city living, perhaps 787 can become irrelevant enough where it can be torn down and redeveloped.

787 does more then supply empire state (this needs to be renamed) plaza with state workers. It's a fast (sometimes), more efficent (most of the time) way for people in Troy, Rensallear(spelling) and Cohoes to have quick access to 87 and 90. Also there are people passing through and get off of 90 at exit 23 and then go up 787 to Rt 7 and hook up with 87 there. Cuts off that bottleneck at the 87/90 interchange.

I don't think 787 will ever be dismantled. It may fall on to the roadways below (which is a possiblilty) before it's ever destoryed. But dismantling it definetly would not happen.

I don't see where people will be running to live back in the city from the price of gas. Why? C R I M E! I'm stuck in the city. I make a mediocure salary and I have to take care of my disabled wife. Were I make to much to get any assisstance but too little not to need it. So I cannot afford the 800,900,1000+ rents. I've lived in Central Towers (when it was), the South End and now over on Watervliet Ave. There is nothing, I mean nothing the police can do to make me feel safe except for my own vigilence. If I had the money I'd live in Clifton Park, North Colonie, Guilderland where the crime is nill and suffer a few extra dollar in my gas tank for the trade off of low/no crime.

Actually, people are leaving the city to get away from the crime.

[rug city]

Downtown Albany actually has been showing signs of life lately, especially with the emergence of a few condo projects. The most high profile is The Capital Grand which has sold 30 units before even breaking ground: Capital plan - The Business Review (Albany):

A few others as mentioned in the article are:
Queri Development Company LLC wants to build an 11-story apartment tower at 705 Broadway with retail stores on the first floor, including possibly an independent grocery store.
Status: Plans moving forward now that Queri settled a land dispute with the owners of Broadway Auto Clinic.

Columbia Development Cos. wants to demolish most of Wellington Row on lower State Street and build a 14-story tower with retail space, offices and apartments.
Status: Stabilization of historic facades set to begin in the spring.

Pfeil & Co. and Rosenblum Development have a contract to buy the Capital Repertory Co. storage and rehearsal building at the corner of Chapel and Monroe streets.
Status: The prospective buyers are examining the potential for converting the 36,000-square-foot industrial building into condos or apartments.

Also, I've noticed a number of more upscale restaurants, hotels opening downtown.

Overall, I think Albany has been making great strides to tap into the historic nature of the downtown area. There are beautiful examples of dutch (First church & residential buildings), gothic (city hall, SUNY Admin, cathedrals), beaux-arts (capital), neo-classical (Edu Bldg), Art Deco (Alfred E Smith Bldg), Massive 19th century marble courthouses, and beautiful parks. I know this is still Smallbany compared to other larger cities, but history is alive and well downtown, and being tapped into recently.

[Bostonian08]

The problem with Albany (where I grew up) is its importance in the national economy ceased upon the advent of railroad. Albany was the gateway to the west which at that time was Chicago. The way to get west was the Erie then the Barge Canals. Once the railroad arrived, the countdown to Albany's degeneration was on.

I also agree with previous posters that unmitigated violence is a significant issue. There is a wealth of nice old rowhouses in Albany just begging to be restored, but if you're willing to live in Albany, you might as well live in the Bronx. At least Bronx is close to someplace of interest. Albany, just like a the dying little river cities from Springfield to Buffalo, is haplessly far removed from anyplace of significance.

Finally, the brutal winter doesn't help.

[juppiter]

lol wtf, is the Albany I see a dream? Many cities would kill for an economy like Albany's. If it's so bad, why is this region growing, unlike any other region in upstate NY?

The advent of the railroad was like 150 years ago. We've moved on & changed our economy. lmao. I kinda wish the crime-ridden piece of **** people are describing was real.... it'd be a LOT more interesting of a city than Albany actually is.

[PhilG]

I moved to Albany for school, and UNFORTUNATELY got stuck here. The problem is the government. Local, county, and state. Period. WAAAAAAAAAY over taxed for crappy schools (City ofAlbany), crappy roads, wasteful spending, welfare system (aka stateworkers, countyworkers, and cityworkers...). I live in downtown Albany and my parents pay less in taxes living in Nassau County. Go figure. The city of Albany will never live again. It will always be home to the transient groups. It may look nice from time to time, but that's because of government projects that will soon fall to disrepair. PRIVATE businesses need to be encouraged to come to Albany. They aren't.vFAMILIES need to be attracted to Albany. They aren't (primarily, in my opinion, because the taxes are so ridiculously high for crap schools and services). Actually, the sanitation deptartmentdoes a great job- I can't think of anything else. Albany will just linger on as it has on the scraps of NYC and, to a lesser extent, Boston. I want to move back to Long Island.

[ApricotRoses]

Hi, originally from general area, but have been living in Atlanta, Georgia. Now moving to Albany area for job reasons.... actually Greenbush. Glasd to leave this swamp!!!

What is West Sand Lake like.... and Clifton Park?? Originally from Hoosick, ny, very SMALL, and only went to troy/albany for shopping. Any nice condos, apts.... don't want to buy a house. Also would like opinions on where to definately STAY AWAY from... thanks much!!!!

[skipjack]

Originally Posted by ApricotRoses

Hi, originally from general area, but have been living in Atlanta, Georgia. Now moving to Albany area for job reasons.... actually Greenbush. Glasd to leave this swamp!!!

What is West Sand Lake like.... and Clifton Park?? Originally from Hoosick, ny, very SMALL, and only went to troy/albany for shopping. Any nice condos, apts.... don't want to buy a house. Also would like opinions on where to definately STAY AWAY from... thanks much!!!!

Lots of condos/apartments in Clifton Park. When I first moved to the area from out West, stayed at an apartment in Clifton Park. Good shopping and lots of places to eat. Welcome back.