Member Profiles
Downtown Commercial Brokers Mertens and McGovern Talk Business
Tom Mertens (TM) and Mike McGovern (MM) recently joined Omni Development as Associate Brokers. We sat down with Tom and Mike to gain their insights on what’s happening Downtown.
What excites you most about this new opportunity at Omni?
TM Working at Omni represents an opportunity to help re-establish Downtown Albany as a vital and vibrant urban center. I spent the past 15 years of my real estate career helping transform another Hudson River city, Hoboken, NJ from its industrial past to a desired city to work and live. The process is very rewarding but in order for the change to happen everyone must transform the way they think about Downtown Albany.
MM Having lived in Boston and New York City, the opportunity to work with office, restaurant and retail space, with one of Albany’s largest landlord’s, is perfect. Omni has terrific Class A space at 30 South Pearl, 50 Beaver, 54 State and 915 Broadway, along with renovated class B at 90 South Swan. As Albany is driven by government, coupled with the fact that I worked for the Assistant District Attorney in Boston for 20 years, I enjoy specializing in space tailored to law firms, lobbyists and state institutions.
What do you believe are Downtown’s most marketable assets?
TM I believe the very bricks and mortar that make up the old buildings, the tight layouts of the streets, the many restaurants and cultural outlets within walking distance all together create a great city setting that cannot easily be duplicated . These assets are already in place, they just need to be built upon.
MM The opportunities for the legal community given the proximity to the Capitol and the courts is Downtown’s greatest asset. There is also a very strong medical presence anchored by Albany Med and their impressive expansion. Capital Repertory, the restaurants and live music venues are 1st rate. It would be great to bring Hollywood back into the city through film projects.
In your short time Downtown, have there been any successes that you are encouraged by?
TM I’m currently working with a few major tenants who hopefully will decide to relocate Downtown.
MM Governor Cuomo’s new Capital Region Economic Development Council, The Downtown BID and Capitalize Albany Corporation’s 485-a Residential /Commercial Urban Exemption, The Real Estate Loan Fund and the Parking Incentive Programs are terrific endeavors. The partnership between the public and private sector is critical to providing incentives for business. Downtown Albany would also benefit immeasurably by more residential housing, a student population and the reintroduction of state employees.
Do you have any favorite places to eat Downtown?
TM Jacks or Subway , depending on how much money is in my wallet on a given day. I also like The Taste Kiosk in the lobby of 30 South Pearl because it’s conveniently located in an Omni building.
MM Yono’s would top the list. The combined Indonesian and French cuisine is extraordinary as is Yono himself. The dining room is magnificent. The location in the Hampton Inn (another Omni building) is perfect for guests visiting Albany, as the hotel is class A. Jacks is up there too. If only those walls could talk.
