Arbor Hill named one of the country's great neighborhoods
Check it out: Albany's Arbor Hill neighborhood has been named one of 2014's "Great Neighborhoods" by the American Planning Association. From the APA's profile of the neighborhood:
Albany's Arbor Hill is a community of notable strengths and exciting opportunities, including rich historic districts and important community institutions. The neighborhood has experienced difficult times and a variety of changes over the past decades. Its hilltop location offers fantastic views of the surrounding city, the downtown, and treasured natural spaces.
The APA cites Arbor Hill's pedestrian friendly streets, historic buildings such as the Ten Broeck Mansion and the Myers House, the recently-opened Academy Lofts, and rising investment in the neighborhood over the last decade.
Arbor Hill is in some notable company on the 2014 list. Among the other highlighted neighborhoods are the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle and Adams Morgan in DC.
Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.
Comments
At first I was like "uhh... what??" but then I saw it's being compared to Adams Morgan in DC and instantly realized that my definition of a "great" neighborhood is vastly different.
... said Sean on Oct 1, 2014 at 11:45 AM | link
Arbor Hill is gorgeous. Clinton Ave rivals State as Albany's most beautiful avenue. Here's hoping the overdue appreciation and revitalization continues!
... said Jason on Oct 1, 2014 at 12:02 PM | link
Jason, as a resident of State Street,I agree wholeheartedly. If it would make sense for my commute to work, I would move there in a heartbeat.
... said JayK on Oct 1, 2014 at 1:01 PM | link
I agree Jason, it's so good to see Arbor Hill mentioned positively!
... said Tammy on Oct 1, 2014 at 1:06 PM | link
I lived on Hall Place for 3 months earlier this year. I fell in love with the architecture of the area and being in the shadow of St. Josephs. It was wonderful to be able to walk, bike, run to the Corning Preserve as well as in and around the downtown.
Most of the neighbors were very nice and I never had any problems walking around by myself.
... said J on Oct 1, 2014 at 1:16 PM | link
At least it used to be (about 60 years ago...)
... said ace on Oct 1, 2014 at 2:47 PM | link
Arbor Hill is extremely beautiful. When I lived in Albany one of my greatest pleasures was riding my bike up and down Clinton Ave to look at the buildings.
... said Sean on Oct 1, 2014 at 3:39 PM | link
As an Albany resident I agree the the "bones" of the Arbor Hill area are great, as are almost all neighborhoods built in America prior to 1950. Somewhere along the way we got side tracked and let these wonderful areas become urban wastelands...which Arbor Hill really still is if you think objectively. You are more likely to be able to buy crack cocaine or a gun than you are to buy a pair of jeans. I not only think Arbor Hill could be great again but I also think a lot of our midsized cities and towns could return to their glory as well. I drive thru town after town like Cambridge, or Greenwich, or Waterford, or Catskill, or Ravena and on and on and on...we just need the right zoning laws, tax laws, and an belief that it is more important to know and love your neighbor than it is to have a bigger house and more lawn than they have!
... said BS on Oct 1, 2014 at 9:52 PM | link
I made the mistake of reading the comments on the times union article. People are so cruel and abusive. Most made just terrible, derrogatory comments that were utterly gross and it had me thinking. Do these folks want things to get better? Of course not. Perhaps then they'd have to look in the mirror and come to grips with how awful they were to root for failure. It's a neighborhood. Poverty, crime, blight? Yup. But it's where people live, many because they have no choice, some because they love it, and fewer still work to improve it. Those folks are saints, because the adversity they face is almost insurmountable.
... said Daleyplanit on Oct 1, 2014 at 10:40 PM | link
I think the reaction this story has been receiving is a story all of its own. Arbor Hill will never be anything again with attitudes like those seen in the TU comment section.
... said Anthony on Oct 3, 2014 at 4:41 AM | link
"Arbor Hill will never be anything again with attitudes like those seen in the TU comment section."
Not to mention the complete failure to support Lark Street development on the other side of Washington Avenue.
... said ktvorwald on Oct 3, 2014 at 1:09 PM | link