Albany’s downtown is about to get a major boost. After years of buildings going vacant, calls for change and economic investments, New York state is investing $400 million in an effort to help transform New York’s Capital City.
"What you'll be able to see is more people on the street, what you'll be able to see is businesses coming back to the downtown and you'll be able to see that really beautiful, obvious result with economic development," state Assemblymember Gabriella Romero said.
The breakdown of the historic investment is $150 million for the New York State Museum; $200 million for downtown projects; $25 million for Empire State Plaza upgrades; and $25 million to continue studying Interstate 787's future.
Residents say they want the money for downtown revitalization to make a difference.
"Revitalizing some of these storefronts," city resident Alfred Turner said.
Tanya Arrington works in downtown Albany.
"Free, accessible parking for maybe Friday through Sunday," she said. "I would love to have, like, a supermarket. I don't know that the, you know, residents could support that. But I would love to have things that people use for daily living. A supermarket, a gym…"
Business development is a top priority.
"If people want to be here, we need to foster that," said Patrick Noonan, owner of El Loco Mexican Cafe and chairman of the Lark Street Business Improvement District. "We need to keep that growing because nothing else was part of this project for Albany is going to work if small businesses start to leave or can't make it."
"Perhaps a stipend to invite new business owners, or grants to invite more small businesses so that we don't have a lot of empty windows on our streets, to invite more consumerism," Capital Region resident Amanda Pressley said.
Romero said the concern with business owners is a mixture of public safety, but also, they want to see more businesses, more eyes on the street.
Affordable housing is also front and center.
"Whether that's more like public housing, like for a lot of folks who are struggling or just like, just like renovated apartments, you know, because a lot of these buildings, you know, are sitting vacant," said Lou Roberts, who works in downtown Albany.
Willie Martin is a lifelong Albany resident.
"I'm one of those people who are trying to get affordable housing too. So, you know, from people that I grew up with that's looking for, you know, help, that'll be great."
And public safety is also a priority.
Tanya Arrington works in downtown albany
"They really need to work on, panhandling," Arrington said.
"You'll be able to see more and more police officers on the street," Romero said.
As vacant buildings dot the landscape, residents have ideas for new uses.
"When I grew up, we had, like, teen centers everywhere where kids would go and, you know, have an outlet," Martin said.
It's a once-in-a-generation investment, with the potential to change Albany for years to come.
"It's going to be bustling. And with this influx of money, you're going to see a lot, a lot more. So give it time. People need to be patient. But there is fun and and cool creative things coming," Romero said.
