Partners

Albany Community Development Agency

The Division of Community Development is responsible for administering and distributing community development funds received annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, NYS Affordable Housing grants, City of Albany and other resources. The office also plays an active role in consolidated planning for the utilization of CDBG funds.
The Office of Housing coordinates all housing activities in the City so that independent agencies such as the Albany Housing Authority and the Albany Local Development Corporation work toward the same goals and objectives. It is also responsible for administering a federally funded Lead Paint Abatement Program, which provides grants to qualified homeowners for the removal and/or containment of lead paint.

• Acquisition Program
• City Access
• Community Services
• Homeowner Assistant
• Homeowner Savings Plan
• Lead Paint Abatement
• Property Stabilization Home
• Tenant Assistant Rehabilitation

Contact Information
200 Henry Johnson Blvd.
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (518) 434-5240
Fax: (518) 434-5242
E-mail:  [email protected]
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
http://www.albanyny.org/Government/Departments/DevelopmentPlanning/AlbanyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.aspx

City of Albany

Tour three centuries of architecture, from the newly renovated Million Dollar Staircase in the NYS Capitol to the awe inspiring “Egg” at the Empire State Plaza. Experience the region’s tradition of cultural festivals, concerts and special events. Visit our extraordinary museums, theatres and restaurants, and you’ll know why you should experience Albany, looks like history, feels like a vacation.
Albany’s business districts and neighborhoods abound with exciting cultural heritage. Albany’s countryside is home to many diverse examples of historic house sites and public spaces including the Pruyn House and the first Shaker Meeting House.
http://www.albanyny.gov/home.aspx

Albany Housing Authority

For over forty years, Albany Housing Authority has been providing rental housing for very low, low, and moderate income households in the city of Albany. The agency owns and operates 1,800 public housing units, administers an ongoing public housing rehabilitation program averaging $2.5 million annually, and administers a Section 8 program that provides assistance on behalf of 2,200 households in the city of Albany.

http://www.albanyhousing.org/

Business Improvement Districts

Since 1995, Albany has seen the creation of three Business Improvement Districts (BID). They are the Downtown Albany BID, which was formed in 1996; the Lark Street BID, which was also formed in 1996; and the Central BID, which was created in 1997.  A BID is a public/private partnership through which a special assessment is used to finance improvements or services within a designated commercial area. In simple terms, it is a self-help program activated by self-imposed assessment. Property and business owners form BIDs to provide enhanced services in order to reverse the deterioration of their urban business environment and to compete more effectively with suburban malls. Property owners, merchants and residents in a district agree to be assessed for improvements or services, beyond those already provided by municipal government, that will benefit only those propertied included in the district. The municipality collects the funds for the BID and turns them over in their entirety to the BID. The BID Board, which is composed of property owners, merchants and residents, outlines how the funds will be spent. 

While each Business Improvement District manages different areas of the City, and has varying missions, their overall goal is similar. Albany’s BIDs assist in economic development, promote the businesses and services within their district, and create a clean, safe environment for workers, residents, and visitors.

To find out more information on the specific missions, objectives, and initiatives of the Business Improvement Districts, you may visit them on the Internet by following the links below.

Downtown BID: http://www.downtownalbany.org/
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1996. The organization partners with businesses, property owners, arts and cultural institutions, social service providers, government agencies and elected officials in a united effort to revitalize downtown Albany.

Lark Street BID: http://www.larkstreet.org/
The Lark Street Neighborhood District Management Association, also know as the Lark Street Business Improvement District, a not-for-profit corporation, was incorporated in 1996 as a coalition of over 180 property owners united in their commitment to enhance the quality of life in the Lark Street Neighborhood. Since its inception the organization has worked to improve and promote the Lark Street Neighborhood through a variety of programs and services.

Central BID: http://www.centralbid.com/
The Central Avenue BID is a not-for-profit created in 1998 to bring business and commerce back to Central Avenue—and it has! In the 17 years since the BID was founded, the vacancy rate on Central Avenue has gone from 19 percent to just 4 percent. The Central BID has accomplished this by working diligently with stakeholders and partners, and dedicating its efforts to both business attraction and retention. The Central BID’s programs include a 7-day-a-week sidewalk litter program, a year-round aesthetics and seasonal decorations program, and a business recruitment program. The CBID also promotes Central Avenue by hosting five annual special events and producing a wide array of educational programming for business owners and district members. These events are designed to build interest in specific businesses and drive more traffic to Central Avenue, making it a better place to live, work, and have fun.

Capital Region Chamber

http://capitalregionchamber.com

The Capital Region Chamber’s mission is to be a unifying force to provide greater influence and opportunities for its members and the Capital Region communities.

The Chamber helps build a strong community by connecting its members to people, business and issues important to business success. Through the Chamber, individuals and businesses are engaged in initiatives that move us toward a successful future.

The Capital Region Chamber represents more than 2,600 for-profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations from throughout the Capital Region – Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties and beyond – that employ more than 150,000 area residents. We provide leadership and resources to grow member businesses and our regional economy.

The Capital Region Chamber is not a civic club, charitable organization or department of government, but a private, not-for-profit, tax-paying organization.

Albany Parking Authority

http://www.parkalbany.com/
There are nearly 22,000 parking spaces for visitors and employees in downtown Albany, capital city of the Empire State. The Albany Parking Authority manages more than one-third of the public parking inventory, including on-street meters.
The Authority provides leadership in its responsibilities for public parking by:

• Sustaining economic development for the City of Albany;
• Achieving improved solutions to parking challenges;
• Elevating service and convenience for parkers;
• Enhancing smooth traffic flow and pedestrian safety; and
• Supporting planning for transportation alternatives.

The Authority was established in 1983 as a public benefit corporation under the New York State Parking Authority Law. The Law authorizes the Authority to construct, operate and maintain locations in the City of Albany for public parking facilities. In order to achieve its planning and design goals to meet parking demand, the Authority is authorized to issue tax-exempt bonds. The bonds must be self-supporting from user fees. The Albany Parking Authority receives no tax support or Federal, State, City or private grants.

Over $28 million in tax-exempt bonds were issued in 2001 to fund construction of the new Quackenbush Square Public Parking Facility and for the advance refunding of two earlier Authority bond issues. The 900-space Quackenbush Public Parking Garage opened July 1, 2002, on time and within budget.
The Parking Authority is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, which has the powers and responsibilities customary to the board of a private corporation. The Board employs 26 staff who operate and maintain its three public parking garages and who manage the on-street parking meter system under contract for the City of Albany.

Citations for parking meter violations are issued by the Albany Police Department. The Parking Authority receives no revenue from parking tickets.

Albany-Rensselaer Port District Commission

The Albany-Rensselaer Port District Commission has power and authority over the survey, development, control and operation of port facilities and operation in order to increase the efficiency of all facilities and the furtherance of commerce and industries in the Port District.

The Commission consists of five members, four of which are residents of the city of Albany, and one of which is a resident of the city of Rensselaer. The Mayor of City of Albany nominates four members and the Mayor of the City of Rensselaer nominates one member.  The Governor of the State of New York appoints the members to three-year terms
http://www.portofalbany.com/

Tech Valley

Tech Valley is a 19-county region of eastern New York State that spans from just south of Montreal to just north of New York City. The area encompasses the Capital Region and parts of the Adirondacks/North Country, Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley. Throughout the site, you’ll learn more about how the unique resources of each of these areas contribute to Tech Valley’s opportunities and excitement.

You’ll find a richness and diversity in the people and places of Tech Valley. People from across the country and around the world are relocating to the region to take advantage of our growing career possibilities, educational opportunities and incredible quality of life.

The geography ranges from mountain peaks to river valleys, from rolling hills to grassy plains. And you’ll experience the joys of all four seasons here in Tech Valley.
http://techvalley.org/default.aspx

Center for Economic Growth (CEG)

As a not-for-profit membership based organization, the Center for Economic Growth collaborates with its partners to both shape the future of our communities and to provide the pathways necessary to make those goals become reality. By advancing visionary policies and advocating for transformational change the Center for Economic Growth strives to build upon the qualities that make the area a great place to live, work and play.

For more information on CEG, please visit http://www.ceg.org/