About the BID

All downtown property owners within the BID district are members of the BID by paying a special, legislature mandated assessment to support the BID. Additionally, every downtown business, which opens or moves into a building in the downtown BID district (central business district), automatically becomes a member of the BID as well.  The BID assessment is collected by the City of Albany from each of the property owners within the BID’s boundaries.

As part of its legislative mission, the Downtown Albany BID is focused on three main initiatives: Business Development, Operations & Quality of Life, and Marketing & Communications.

Strategic Initiatives:

Business Development: Business & Tenant Outreach; Available Space; Business Relocation & Development Information; Research; Forums, Seminars and Workshops; Grant Opportunity Identification and Assistance
Marketing: Quarterly Print Newsletter and Monthly E-Newsletter; Social Media; Destination Advertising in and outside of the Capital Region; Co-op Advertising Opportunities; Grand Openings & Special Events
Quality of Life: Clean Team; Visual Improvements; Dedicated Police Officer; and Responsible Hospitality Initiative; Special events

Business Development

Downtown Albany Available Space Listings
Commercial lease and sale opportunities available in downtown are listed on this site under Available Space. For a more comprehensive listing of real estate in Downtown Albany, visit CIREB.

Business Relocation & Development Package
The Downtown Albany BID’s Business Relocation & Development Package provides comprehensive information for those looking to invest in their future, downtown. The Business Development Package details the benefits of commercial, retail and residential investment in downtown Albany. The information provides in-depth information on downtown accessibility, quality of life, financing options, market data and more.

Research
The BID has commissioned several studies and surveys.

• 2010 Perception and Use Assessment of Downtown Albany (pdf)
• 2011 Residential Market Potential (pdf)

Development Forums
The BID hosts Development Forums to bring together stakeholders on a variety of topics. Over the past year, the BID, in conjunction with local and regional partners, has held 4 forums:

• Development Forum on Regional Projects (July 20, 2010)
• Downtown Residential Conversion & Commercial Rehabilitation Forum (February 24, 2010)
• Historic Preservation Tax Credit Workshop (September 17, 2009)
• Downtown Development Opportunities (March 19, 2009)

Other Business Development Activities:

• Business & Resident Stakeholder Downtown Albany Reference Guide
• Business Consultations and Relocation Assistance
• Downtown Development email, articles and press releases
• Business and resident-focused presentations, seminars, forums, and networking events
• Grant Opportunity Identification and Assistance

Staff Contact:
Cheryl Stock, Business Development Manager
Ph: 518.465.2143 x 14

Operations & Quality of Life

Supporting Hospitality and Merchants within Downtown

Hospitality Committee- The primary focus is on Responsibility Hospitality for the express purpose of building a safe and vibrant Hospitality Zone in Downtown Albany, for all people to socialize. The group consists of stakeholders primarily in the hospitality field and focuses on issues of safety – services - vibrancy and special events. The committee focuses on the other 9-5 .

In participation with the Pearl Street Live producers and Albany County Sheriffs Stop DWI the BID has been able to offer free TIPS (Tips In Pouring Safety) trainings to more than 60 bartender and 10 venues in the district. If you are interested in training for your establishment please contact the BID to set a date – these trainings are free to stakeholders and will be offered bi-annually and on an as requested basis.

Merchants Association - Formed in conjunction with the Hospitality Committee. The Merchants group meets bi-monthly and focuses on the issues such as policing and safety surrounding the Pearl Street Hospitality Zone and events including St. Patrick’s Day on Pearl Street, Pearlapalooza, and other events as they develop.  

Providing Art, Culture and Local Foods to the Downtown Community

Sculpture in the Streets - Downtown Albany BID’s popular public art exhibition brings renewed visual interest to Downtown Albany, with installation in early June and running thru the end of October. There is a garden party to kick of the event including a silent auction. The BID produces a walking tour map offering a tour of downtown streets and parks to see the amazing works of art. Presented by the BID and made possible by our sponsors this is the BID’s primary fundraiser each year with the proceeds allowing the annual exhibit to continue.

Farmers Market – The BID and the Farmers Market Association hold a market in Maiden Lane Park each Thursday from 11-2 during the months of May through October. The Market offers a wide variety of fresh locally grown produce, flowers and plants, homemade breads and fabulous baked goods as well as specialty cheeses.

1st Friday Albany - Monthly arts and culture celebration that takes place throughout the city, on the 1st Friday of each month. Venues throughout the City open their doors to artists and the community including a tour map. With cultural anchors such as Albany Center Gallery, Capital Repertory Theatre and the Albany Visitors Center participating in the event, 1st Friday's have maintained a strong presence within the Downtown District. To enhance the event and reach more people, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District initiated 1st FriDAY" which is a daytime version from 11 am to 2 pm. The BID also sponsors a trolley for the event which takes you from venue to venue often with a narrator.

Keeping the District Clean, Safe and Attractive for Businesses & Visitors

Clean Team Ambassadors- The Downtown Albany BID’s Clean Team Ambassadors work to remove litter from sidewalks, walkways, crosswalks and curbs. During the winter, Team members work to keep curb cuts at crosswalk intersections free of snow. The special care and pride the Team brings to this effort consistently gains high marks from the BID’s stakeholders and visitors. This seven-day-per-week program is designed to complement the efforts of the City’s Department of General Services. Clean Team Ambassadors are more than happy to provide visitors with directions or recommend venues, attractions or events. In addition, the Clean Team works closely with the Albany Police Department’s Community Outreach Program to enhance downtown.

Symphony of Lights - The Downtown Albany BID’s Symphony of Lights holiday display signals the arrival of the holiday season in downtown Albany. This annual extravaganza features more than 50 musical instruments adorned with brightly colored lights hung along the Pearl Street entertainment corridor. A custom-designed, 17-foot trumpet at the intersection of State and Pearl Streets serves as the Symphony’s magnificent centerpiece. Additional holiday decorations extend the festive environment to downtown Albany’s stretch of Broadway from Water Street to Clinton Avenue.

Hanging Baskets and flower program - In cooperation with the City of Albany, the Downtown Albany BID installs more than 550 hanging baskets and 70 decorative street-level planters, adding seasonal color from spring through fall. This colorful array of annuals brings downtown Albany streets and public spaces to life. As testament to the beauty of downtown’s streetscapes and parks, the City of Albany was nominated for the 2006 City Livability Award by the New York Conference of Mayors.

Safety - The Downtown Albany BID maintains a beneficial partnership with the Albany Police Department. You will see Officer Charlie Miranda – the BID’s dedicated beat officer – walking or riding his bicycle throughout the district. Officer Miranda has built a rapport with merchants, property owners, employees and visitors, further promoting the district’s friendly and safe environment. The Mounted Police also maintain a significant presence in downtown Albany. The APD offers a variety of safety trainings for stakeholders and their employees. These trainings are free and can be tailored to the needs of your organization.

Representation with City - The BID constantly works on behalf of property owners and merchants to create an environment favorable in terms of cleanliness, planning issues, police safety, and much more.

Staff Contact:
Marcie Bergan, Director of Operations
Ph: 518.465.2143 x 13

Marketing & Communications

Promoting your business

• Business Listings and Profiles on the BID’s website
• Destination advertising within and outside of the Region
• Co-op advertising opportunities for BID stakeholders
• Grand Opening and Special Events assistance
• Opportunity to submit a business profile or “expert” story for the web or quarterly print Downtown Digest
• Opportunity to place event and promotional information in Downtown LINKS e-newsletter
• Opportunity to list news and updates in the quarterly print Downtown Digest
• Downtown district focused brochures, maps, posters and guides for your customers
• Special events, programs and promotions designed as qualified traffic builders such as Sculpture in the Streets, Restaurant Week and the Downtown Available Spaces Open House

Publications

• Downtown Links (monthly e-newsletter targeted at downtown consumers and visitors)
• Downtown Digest (quarterly print newsletter)
• Downtown Albany Guide

General Advertising & Merchant CO-OP Advertising
Complimenting the BID’s annual multi-media generic advertising campaigns, the BID offers Stakeholders various co-op advertising opportunities throughout the year via a variety of mediums.  The mutually beneficial campaigns provide discounted advertising opportunities for Stakeholders while creating a larger overall ad presence for Downtown Albany through this cooperative approach.

News/Press Releases
BID- and district-specific news and press releases written by BID staff are sent out to local and regional media outlets, as well as highlighted in appropriate BID publications.

Social Media
The BID is capitalizing on the consistent growth of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as methods to share content, drive website traffic, and rapidly disseminate information and news for all things happening in Downtown Albany. The BID posts regular updates on events, dining, performances and more using online and social media outlets. “Like” the Downtown Albany BID on Facebook and “Follow” the Downtown Albany BID on Twitter for up-to-the minute information about Downtown Albany.

Staff Contact:
Marquita Rhodes, Marketing Manager Ph: 518.465.2143 x 11