Carrow to completely renovate 855 Central

The three-story office building at 855 Central is being gutted for renovations. Contractors will install new windows, fixtures, overhaul the facade, and make improvements to the parking lot and landscaping that surrounds the building, said Carrow Leasing and Sales Consultant, Rudy Lynch. "Overall, I think it's really going to add to the whole Central experience," Lynch said.

Carrow Real Estate took over management of the building, and two adjacent properties 845 Central and 875 Central in May 2007. The renovations to the 100,000 square-foot building are expected to be completed this summer. Mildred Elley will move into the building upon completion. The two-year private college will relocate from its current location in Latham.

Carrow is currently looking for a restaurant to fill the vacancy on the first floor after Ocean Palace's departure, Lynch said. The company would like to fill the space with a coffee bar or sandwich shop, something that would serve the students that will soon attend classes in the building.

Improvements will also be made to 845 Central and 875 Central, Lynch said. Currently these buildings are occupied by a mix of New York State offices and private offices. Carrow will try to keep existing tenants and fill any vacancies, Lynch said.

Traffic and Road Project Update

Everett Road - The City's contractor will resume night work beginning March 24 and work each week night from 9PM until 6AM. This work will require a single lane closure both northbound and southbound.

Central Avenue -

1. The City's contractor has resume day work and will work each week day between the hours of 9AM and 3PM . Single lane closures are expected each day in both the eastbound and westbound directions.

2. The City's contractor will be working at the intersection of Central Avenue and Tremont Street. This work will require Tremont Street between Central Avenue and Keller Street to be closed to all traffic. A detour will be set up directing all Central Avenue traffic that would normally use southbound Tremont Street to use Austain Avenue. Northbound Tremont Street traffic will be detoured at Keller St to Frost Place to Central Avenue. This work will be each night between 7PM and 6PM.

Central Avenue BID hosts "Upper Floors Work Shop"

*** CALENDAR LISTING / MEDIA ADVISORY ***


WHAT: Enhancing Main Street: Making Upper Floors Work Again
A free workshop presented by the Preservation League of New York State

WHEN: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: WAMC Linda Norris Auditorium 339 Central AvenueAlbany, NY


The workshop’s featured speakers will include:
Buffalo architect Clinton Brown, who will discuss Main Street revitalization and why it matters, and also present a case study of mixed-use project in Medina, Orleans County;
Joe Fama of the Troy Architectural Program in Troy, who will explain how New York’s building codes and preservation can work together;

Murray Gould of Port City Preservation in Oswego, who will provide information on funding sources and strategies for downtown conversion projects; and
Sandra Adams of the Community Preservation Corporation in Albany, who will discuss how financing was assembled for recent mixed use projects on North Pearl Street.

The workshop is free and lunch will be served, but seating is limited. Please register by Friday, April 11. Call 518-462-5658 x13 for more information or email upperfloors@preservenys.org


Enhancing Main Street: Making Upper Floors Work Again is presented by the Preservation League of New York State, and sponsored by the Central Avenue Business Improvement District, Empire State Development Corporation, and WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Co-sponsors include the City of Albany Department of Development and Planning; Downtown Albany Business Improvement District; Historic Albany Foundation; Lark Street Business Improvement District; New York Planning Federation; and Office for Small Cities — NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation.

Planning for Arts, Entertainment & Cultural District Moves Forward

This week, in their ongoing efforts, Central Business Improvement District Staff met with WAMC, and representatives from the Albany Parking Authority and CDTA to go over the next steps for Central Avenue's burgeoning "Entertainment, Culture & Arts Area".

The committee worked with representatives from Saratoga Associates, the engineering and planning consultants selected to plan out and define strategies to further develop the area for the future of the district.

The District will encompass the intersection of Central Avenue and Quail Street, where the Linda Norris Auditorium is located. It will extend along Central from Robin Street to Ontario Street, and include positive impacts to the residential neighborhoods on either side of the street.

The group discussed the action items necessary to make the district into a established reality, including funding, partnerships, and branding. The committee is still trying to settle on a unifying theme and message for the district. Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the BID said having an identity or "calling card" for the district is an important first step for our effort to continue to attract investors and garnering public support. Once determined, the identity will be part of signage, and could also be used in marketing materials.

"The sites and sounds district," "The Hub," and other themes that play with the notion of transportation, music and nite life were discussed as possible identities. The influx of international restaurants and dynamic cultural mix adds to the excitment. The committee decided to work with local colleges to gather more information about the history and geography of the area to inform their decision.

Public safety is another priority identified during the meeting, and the committee plans to talk with the Albany Police Department and local public safety programs about coordinating initiatives and safety programs for the district.

CVS Finishes Construction of New Central Avenue Store

Construction has now been completed on the new CVS Store and Pharmacy on Central Avenue. The drugstore relocated from their store in Hannaford Plaza to a brand-new freestanding location across the street. The new store is about four times the size of the old store, and also offers a new photography lab and a larger pharmacy with drive-thru service, said Alisha Snyder, Shift Supervisor. The store is reorganized around a new open floor plan, making the store seem brighter and more accessible. The store also carries more items, she said.

The store was at its former plaza location for about 20 years, and the corporate offices decided it was "time for an upgrade," Snyder said. The store employs 20 workers, including 8 pharmacy members.

The store opens as reconstruction begins at the west end of Central Avenue. The Avenue improvement project is a a 15 million dollar renovation project. The entrance to the store has a traffic light, but there are some difficulties getting across the intersection from the Hannaford supermarket plaza, she said. Part of the improvements to the west end should help make the new CVS easier to get to from the near by neighborhood.

THE 58TH ANNUAL ALBANY ST. PATRICK’S DAY

THE 58TH ANNUAL ALBANY ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Saturday March 15, 2008
The Albany Parade steps off at 2pm from Quail and Central, to Washington Avenue, State Street, (left) north on North Pearl Street past the reviewing stand (adjacent to the Stueben Athletic Club).
For further information, please contact Chairman Sue Kane: limericksmarch@gmail.com or 458-9034

Newly Reopened Johnny's Hot Dog Provides Eats All Night

After extensive renovation and retooling, Johnny's Hot Dog reopened in January. The redone restaurant is under the new management of Bill Reidy, and many of his improvements are evident as soon as you walk in the door. The restaurant has also expanded its menu and extended its hours. Now open from 11pm to 6pm, the restaurant has become an overnight hangout which caters to night-shift workers looking for an early breakfast and to clubbers looking for a late-might snack. The restaurant is closed in the evenings for cleaning and food prep.


Johnny's now boasts the lowest priced breakfast in the Capital District, said Cook Tom Reima. For $2.49 customers can get two eggs, homefries, toast and coffee, and breakfast is served all day, he said. "We researched the area, and it's the best deal," Reima said.



Johnny's is the only restaurant in the area open past midnight, he said. "We get a lot of late-shift workers, a lot of cab drivers," he said. And business is starting to pick up now that the weather is improving, Reima said. Nicer weather has increased foot traffic on Central Avenue, and Johnny's is being rediscovered.



Johnny's is located at 66 Central Avenue. They offer a full breakfast and lunch menu and free delivery. 462-1203.

Bob & Ron's Fish Fry sees surge during Lent

Bob & Ron's Fish Fry has been a neighborhood joint for 60 years. People come from far and wide to enjoy the hand-cut, hand-breaded fish sandwiches: "We've had people come from Arizona. They get off the plane and the first thing they do is come here," said Manager David Wilbur.

The restaurant's good reputation has become such, that people are willing to wait in lengthy lines for a taste of the fresh catch, and at this time of year, the wait can be a little longer than usual. "People don't mind waiting half an hour for a fish fry on Fridays during Lent," Wilbur said. The seafood restaurant is about twice as busy as usual on Fridays during Lent, and three times as busy on Good Friday, he said.

That adds up to a lot of fish.


Eddie James has been a fishcutter at Bob & Ron's for 15 years. On a typical week, he cuts 200 lbs. of fish, but during Lent he cuts about 400 lbs. a week, and during Easter week, he cuts 600 lbs. That's about 1800 sandwiches served, he said, and that doesn't include all the other items that the restaurant serves, including shrimp baskets and clams.


The restaurant was owned and operated by the DeLeonardis family for over 50 years. The business was sold to the McGrath family six years ago, and they have operated the business with the same eye to detail and concern for quality. The restaurant ,which offers eat-in or take-out service, does a busy lunch for the area's stateworkers and also serves supper to a number of older neighborhood residents and young families.



Bob & Ron's Fish Fry is located at 1007 Central Avenue. 482-9747.

No Spring Break? A guy can dream, can't he?

Voices From Around the Avenue





Students are getting ready to enjoy Spring Break. If you had a Spring Break, what would you do?




"I'd go to where it's hot, where there's a beach and water because I hate the cold."
--Barry Portanova, Clerk, U.S. Postal Service



"Myself, I would probably just do some work around the house, but my choice would be to go back to Cancun. We just got back in February. I'd do some snorkeling. My wife was terrified, and so that was pretty funny."
--Jerry Jones, Service Center Manager, Valvoline











"Florida. I'm going to party."
--Kenny Buckman, Supervisor, Hoffman's Car Wash












"Take a trip. I have no idea where I'd go, just get out of town."
--Rich Wyckoff, Manager, Family Dollar

Put Your Dukes Up: Boxing Club continues to train champions

Tamar Williams goes to the Albany Boxing Club every day. The 13-year-old, 80-pound, Myers Middle School student spends a couple of hours training before he gets on the city bus and goes to his job at a clothing store in Latham. He likes boxing, and he likes going on trips to compete in other cities. This weekend, he went to Plattsburgh to compete. "It's fun," he said. "You get to hit people without getting in trouble."

Located just off Central Avenue on Quail Street, the Albany Boxing Club is a city run recreation center with a focus on boxing. The afterschool program at the center is free, and draws in a big crowd. The kids, age 12-16, learn the basics of boxing, but they also learn more important lessons, said Head Coach Jerrick Jones. They learn to listen, to respect one another and themselves, and perhaps most importantly, they learn leadership skills, he said.

The afterschool program runs five days a week from 3-5:30pm. Kids train and work in the ring. Adults are also welcome at the club, which has a full gym and fitness machines. On the weekends, the club hosts sparring matches and shuttles kids to competitions.

Kimdo Bethel, 22, works with the kids also. He is a professional boxer who served as an alternate for the Olympic team. He was ranked number 3 in the country. He started out at this very club, eight years ago, and he's glad to have an opportunity to give back to the community in this way. "I'm trying to help them, to show them what boxing can do for you. It can take you all over the world. You meet a lot of different people, famous people," he said. "You can do it."

Legal Project to provide free legal advice

Do you need some help sorting through thorny contracts? Maybe you’re starting your own business, but don’t know whether to incorporate or establish as a not-for-profit? Perhaps you have some questions about trademarks, or copyright infringement?

Not everyone can afford legal advice, and that’s why the Legal Project offers free consultations with experienced attorneys. The non-profit organization has organized a Small Business Legal Clinic, which will offer locals a private session with a reputable attorney at no charge.

“The sessions are intended for small business owners or people starting their own business,” said Gina Marie Cannistraro, Legal Services Coordinator. The attorneys will help them work through trademark and copyright issues, franchises, and contracts, she said.

The attorneys can also answer legal questions about how to start up a new business, Cannistraro said. Many people want to see an attorney so that they can figure out how to incorporate, or set up a not-for-profit, or they may have tax questions. Seeing an attorney can be the first step to clearing the way to a new enterprise.

The Legal Project has been running these clinics since 2003. The clinics take place in the evening so that they are easy to attend. They are staffed entirely by volunteers, who donate their time to the initiative, Cannistraro said. The Legal Project also offers free and low-cost legal representation for victims of domestic abuse, she said. Attorneys will meet with these individuals, counsel them on their rights, and even represent them in court, she said.

Abuse is such a difficult subject, and people don’t know where to turn for help, she said. She emphasized that all sessions are private. “Confidentiality is our number one concern,” she said.

The Small Business Legal Clinic takes place on the following dates:
Thursday, March 13
Thursday, June 12
Thursday, September 4
Thursday December 4

It is important for clients to know that this clinic is co-sponsored by the Capital District Community Loan Fund. It is part of a collaboration between the Legal Project and the Fund that has been going on for years. The Capital Distrct Community Loan Fund promotes the clinics to its clients and does signifcant outreach to let people know about the clinics through fliers mailed to businesses and distributed throughout the region. People interested in the Small Business Trainings offered by the Loan Fund or Legal Clinics should call the Fund at 436-8586 or call the Legal Project for a clinic appointment.

Call to (518) 435-1770 to make an appointment for your consultation today.