New Dentist Office Under Construction on Colvin

What was once a wooded lot on the corner of Colvin and Lincoln is now being turned into a brand-new dentist office.

Robert Vignali, DDS will open new offices at 29 Colvin Avenue this spring. The new one story building will include a 23-space parking lot adjacent to Buell Street.

The dentist office represents the "highest and best" use for this vacant land, says Joseph Cunniff, Upper Washington Neighborhood Association President.

The parcel has been vacant for many years, and during that time, many businesses have been proposed for it, including ice cream shops, drive-thru banks and drug stores, but they were deemed not a good fit for the highly residential area, says Cunniff. However, the neighborhood association is eager to welcome this new business to the area. "Although there are those who hoped the property would remain vacant forever, we are happy to have a new neighbor who we believe will blend into the neighborhood seamlessly and will be an asset to our neighborhood and city," says Cunniff. "Indeed we are pleased that this parcel will now join the tax rolls and help contribute to our city's bottom line."

The dentist has agreed to incorporate a wooded area along one side of the parking lot, to screen it from the adjacent houses, Cunniff says.

The new offices of Dr. Robert Vignali, DDS will be located at 29 Colvin Avenue.

Albany Police are trying to determine if there is a connection with recent reports of a man impersonating a fire inspector with three additional incidents that have occurred since last July in the city.

Officers took a report yesterday at 91 Southern Boulevard from the owner
of the Food Mart. The owner said on Monday while his wife was watching
the store a man walked in and showed a badge and told her he was an
inspector from the Albany Fire Department and he was there to inspect
the fire extinguishers. He then placed a certification tag around the
extinguisher and gave the wife a receipt for $40 which she paid. The
suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, medium height and
build

In addition there were two more incidents that occurred this afternoon.
One at 423 Madison Avenue, Emperors Palace and one at the Lark Street
Flower Shop at 262 Lark Street. The suspect was successful in getting
$40 from Emperors Palace but was unsuccessful at the flower shop. He
was described as a Hispanic male, 6’ wearing a blue puffy jacket

It also appears this individual also approached other businesses in
Guilderland, Colonie and Schenectady with the same motive.

In 2009 there were three additional reports in which a man claimed to be
an inspector for the Albany Fire Extinguisher Company and was there to
inspect their fire extinguishers. On July 17 a man walked into the
Unique Army & Navy store at 129 Central Avenue and told the clerk he
wanted $40 to check their extinguisher otherwise they would face a $500
fine from the Albany Fire Department.

On July 20 a man walked into the Subway at 324 Central Avenue and
approached the manager and told him he was there to inspect the
extinguishers and wanted $30. The manager refused to pay him and the
man left the store.

On December 22 a man walked into the EZ Care Fabric Store at 900 Central
Avenue and told the clerk he was from the Albany Fire Extinguisher
Company and wanted money to inspect the extinguisher. He was
unsuccessful in getting any money and left the store.

Mayor Jennings stated, “All of our local businesses should be on alert
to the fact that it appears we have someone impersonating an Albany Fire
Fighter or a representative from a local fire extinguisher

company and are trying to elicit payment for fake inspections. I
strongly encourage anyone who is approached in this manner and is
suspicious of the individual’s credentials, to call our police
department.”

Chief Robert Forezzi Sr. said, “All of our firefighters, as well as our
inspectors from the Division of Building & Codes, are equipped with the
proper identification that they must carry at all times when on duty.
Any fees associated with inspection services are only received at City
Hall and if anyone feels something improper has occurred they should
report it immediately to the department.”

Detective James Miller
Department Spokesperson
City of Albany Police Dept

Chinatown's grand opening: Lively celebration for promising new venture

The One of a Kind Teahouse held its grand opening December 28, and like its namesake, the celebration was unique. Complete with dancing dragons, a generous complementary lunch buffet, the mayor and other city dignitaries, and flashing paparazzi, the celebration brought together the best of old and new traditions for what promises to be an exciting new business venture on Central Avenue.

The teahouse is a "focal point" for the business, a place where everyone can gather together for food and drink in the ancient tradition, says Jenny Liu-Nhan, Chinatown's co-owner.

Started two years ago by Matthew Nhan and his wife, Jenny Liu-Nhan, the Chinatown complex is a unique retail project. When it is completed, the building will house several Asian-inspired stores, an eatery and teahouse, as well as an upscale Chinese restaurant, providing a wealth of shopping and dining experiences for Central Avenue. The project is located on the same block as several other Asian restaurants including Van's Vietnamese and CCK, making this part of Central even more of a destination for visitors.

Mayor Jerry Jennings attended the ribbon-cutting and celebration and praised the Nhans for their creative vision. "Small investments like this make a big difference," Jennings says. It's independent business owners like the Nhans who are going to turn Central Avenue around, he added.

Originally, the Nhans hoped to open the entire complex at once, but an uncooperative economy and complicated building codes changed their plans, and so they have decided to open the businesses in stages, says Jenny Liu-Nhan, Chinatown's co-owner. "The economy hasn't gone well, and that put a little damper on it, but we're back on track now," she says.

The teahouse will open January 15, followed by the stores in the spring. The restaurant is expected to open next year.

The Nhans have spent over a year remodeling the former furniture store, and the results--inside and out--are beautiful. The building is divided into several small spaces with a long hallway running down the center. The hallway is decorated with cherry paneling, and boasts a pagoda-like facade that gives you the feeling that you are walking through a Chinese marketplace, not a storefront in Albany. The rear of the building has been reserved for a large Chinese restaurant, and construction on this part is still under way.

"You create a sense of place with this type of architecture that people want to come to and hang out in," says Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central Business Improvement District. "This is another destination on Central Avenue."

The tea house is also beautiful. A bamboo screen divides the dining room from a small sitting area which has been decorated with ornate cherry furniture. The ancient-looking tables and chairs are all custom made, and promote a sense of timeless tradition, says Liu-Nhan.