Mayor Kathy Sheehan and The Hollow Bar + Kitchen Owners Honored for Exceptional Contributions to Downtown Albany

 

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Annual Awards, recognizing outstanding leadership, vision, and impact on Downtown. This year’s honorees include Mayor Kathy Sheehan, recipient of the James M. DiNapoli Award, and co-owners of The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Dora and Mike Philip, recipients of the Downtown Luminary Award. 

 

These awards were presented during the Downtown Albany BID 2025 Annual Meeting on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Country Inn & Suites, where government officials, community leaders, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the vibrancy, resilience, and ongoing transformation of Downtown. 

 

“Each year, we celebrate individuals and businesses whose work exemplifies what’s possible through collaboration, creativity, and care for the community,” said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID. “Mayor Sheehan and Dora and Mike Philip have shaped the District not just with projects or events, but with intention, integrity, and a deep affection for our capital city. We are proud to recognize their lasting impact.” 

2025 James M. DiNapoli Award: Mayor Kathy Sheehan 

Mayor Kathy Sheehan was recognized for her commitment to collaboration, vision, and progress in downtown Albany. From the start of her administration, she worked closely with the BID to champion a Downtown that is welcoming, connected, and full of opportunity. 

 

Her leadership has helped usher in a new era for Albany’s urban core, marked by transformative projects that reflect a deep investment in placemaking and accessibility. Initiatives like the Capital Wayfinding Program, funded by the City of Albany’s COVID Recovery Taskforce, added nearly 70 new pedestrian kiosks and directional signage to Downtown. 

 

Projects like the Albany Skyway, the Capital Region’s first elevated park connecting Downtown to the Hudson River, and Clinton Market Collective, a new market concept and vibrant outdoor space located across from the Palace Theatre, have reimagined underused infrastructure Downtown into dynamic spaces for art, commerce, and connection. 

 

The Tricentennial Park reconstruction increased both the functionality and the beauty of this space. Under Mayor Sheehan's leadership, the park, which is 40 years old, underwent a complete transformation, enhancing the layout, accessibility, and landscaping of one of Albany’s most iconic public spaces.

 

Mayor Sheehan fast-tracked this project in the spring of 2025 to ensure the space was completed in time for Alive at Five, the city’s signature free summer concert series, which returned to Downtown this June and July. The mayor’s decision to bring Alive at Five back to downtown Albany this year is just one example of her steadfast dedication to small businesses throughout her tenure. 

 

Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, she implemented the Small Business Vitality Assistance Program. More than $1.5 million in grants were distributed in partnership with the Downtown Albany BID, Central Avenue BID, and the Arbor Hill Development Corporation. Her administration’s commitment and support played a vital role in helping entrepreneurs rebuild and thrive. 

 

“From the outset, our administration made it a top priority, alongside the COVID Recovery Task Force, to support the small businesses heavily impacted by the pandemic. We recognized the importance of navigating these challenging times, so we established continuous communication with the BIDs and Capitalize Albany Corporation, diligently assessing the challenges our businesses faced on a weekly basis,” said Mayor Sheehan. 

 

Mayor Sheehan’s selection for the James M. DiNapoli Award is especially meaningful given her consistent commitment to being an active and engaged leader. Much like DiNapoli, who believed in stepping up to improve the community, Sheehan’s tenure has been defined by a spirit of partnership. The award reflects her dedication to public service and her enduring impact on Downtown's progress. 

2025 Downtown Luminary Award: The Hollow Bar + Kitchen 

Located at 79 N Pearl Street, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen has long served as a hub for community, culture, and creativity in downtown Albany. Co-owners Dora and Mike Philip have worked together with the Downtown Albany BID to foster a vibrant, inviting, and prideful neighborhood. 

 

An elevated restaurant and live music venue, the Hollow was the first restaurant in the District to include a vegetarian and vegan-forward menu. 

 

The Hollow has been instrumental in growing events that define Downtown’s energy and identity. As long-time sponsors of PearlPalooza and YogaPalooza, they have helped transform these festivals into must-attend experiences. Dora co-created YogaPalooza in 2017 with the BID and The Hot Yoga Spot and continues to help plan this much-anticipated event. The success of this event led to the creation of the BID’s free summer yoga series, State Street Yoga.  

 

During COVID, Dora regularly met with fellow women entrepreneurs to strategize and support one another. This network continues its mission today. 

 

Mike and Dora are responsible for ushering in the next round of extraordinary culinary chefs in the region, the Hollow’s kitchen acting as a proving ground for local talented chefs.

 

Even before the Philps opened the Hollow, Mike was a staple of Downtown’s nightlife, operating Jillian’s and The Bayou. 

 

For their tireless dedication, inclusive leadership, and community-first mindset, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen is honored with the 2025 Downtown Luminary Award. 

 

“To be considered, let alone awarded with such an honor as a luminary within our city we love so fiercely is outstanding,” said Dora. “As I’ve said to our team over the years, The Hollow was built by many hands. It lies not with one person or one entity. We all hold up the light.”