Drawing: BUILT 2015 tickets, Lark + Lily gift card
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
The Historic Albany Foundation's annual BUILT event is at the State Museum November 7. We have two tickets to the event and they could be yours. UPDATE -- BONUS PRIZE: Lark + Lily Wine Bar and Kitchen, the recently opened successor to the Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark, is adding a $50 gift card to the drawing prize!
To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:
What would you like to see built over the next year?
You can interpret this broadly -- it could a building, it could be a collaborative spirit, whatever. We'll draw one winner at random. That person gets both the BUILT tickets and the Lark + Lilly gift card.
BUILT is an exhibit and auction of artwork inspired by Albany's built environment, and is a fundraiser for HAF's programming and technical services. This year's event includes more than 170 works by 75 artists from around the region. The evening also includes a reception.
BUILT is Saturday, November 7 from 7-10 pm. Tickets are $75 per person / $50 for people under age 35 and available at the link above.
Lark + Lilly is at 200 Lark Street in Albany. It's open Tuesday-Sunday, opening at 5 pm.
Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Thursday and must respond by 5 pm on Friday, October 30.
AOA is a media sponsor of BUILT.
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Comments
I'd love to see the railroad bridge over the Hudson have a working railroad bridge.
... said Kate on Oct 26, 2015 at 4:06 PM | link
I would love to see a skate park really happen in Albany. Would be such a great spot for kids of all ages to hang out.
... said Lola on Oct 26, 2015 at 4:22 PM | link
Ethiopian restaurant. If you build it, they will come...and eat with their hands.
... said Big 'Vic' Proton on Oct 26, 2015 at 4:28 PM | link
A trolley that just goes up the hill from Pearl to Lark, then maybe a giant slide or zipline to go back down.
We are a city on a hill. Why not make the most of it?
... said Tess Lecuyer on Oct 26, 2015 at 5:03 PM | link
I would like to see the Albany waterfront built up with shops, restaurants,and pedestrian thoroughfares.
... said Sandra on Oct 26, 2015 at 8:34 PM | link
I want to see the former Convention Center Site be built up to the large shopping/residential/dining center that's being proposed.
... said Jordan on Oct 27, 2015 at 7:34 AM | link
I'd like to see shuttles between our major cities in the area built. I think a good place to start would be connecting Albany to Troy - maybe from Swan Street to River Street.
... said All About That Bus on Oct 27, 2015 at 8:26 AM | link
I've always been impressed by the Postdamer Platz in Berlin, with its holistic use of mix-use development (commercial, residential, entertainment, covered out-door plazas, links to mass transit). I've long thought something like this downtown would be a wonderful way to bring poached retail back downtown and encourage more dense urban living (a banker could live in a condo within the same building as his office, while doing his/her shopping down in the concourse below).
This development could even be linked to the waterfront (pedestrian bridges), to further tie the natural element in, beyond the vast vistas provided by the arching windows. For example, LL Bean could re-locate here, providing kayak demos on the Hudson or snowshoeing trips in the winter through the Corning Preserve. The possibilities are endless and enticing.
Where to site this? I'm all for re-adapting buildings, but I think the ugly, giant white building downtown could be torn down for something like this. Great location to tie in mass transit, like a link to Amtrak and/or place the CDTA mass transit hub here (rather than at the former Convention Center site), with an extension of the BusPlus Red line terminating here and integration of the future Purple and Blue lines. Conversely, the former convention center site would do nicely (where a similar, though much more scaled version of the Postdamer Platz, is being proposed).
For some interior pictures and info (way more than you want to know), follow these links:
http://www.goodsearch.com/search-image?keywords=potsdamer+platz%2C+interior
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potsdamer_Platz
... said Rich on Oct 27, 2015 at 8:34 AM | link
I'd like to see a pedestrian only street built with lots of restaurants and shops.
... said Kerry on Oct 27, 2015 at 8:35 AM | link
bike-friendly infrastructure!
... said wolliw on Oct 27, 2015 at 9:00 AM | link
I'd like to see a dynamic park built somewhere in a downtown area akin to Millennium Park in Chicago. A park with interactive public spaces, gardens, and passive recreation.
I'd also love an IKEA; crate and barrel; and anthropologie...
... said Elisabeth on Oct 27, 2015 at 9:05 AM | link
I don't want to see anything new built, but an effort to renovate some of the amazing buildings in Albany that are lying dormant, or have fallen into terrible states of disrepair.
I would love to see the city get behind people who want to open businesses and bring some life back into areas that have been largely written off and I would LOVE to see programs for small businesses, not 'Start Up NY tax-free for 10 years' programs...
... said Keren on Oct 27, 2015 at 9:48 AM | link
I would like to build up downtown similar to Saratoga Broadway and streets surrounding it.
... said colleen on Oct 27, 2015 at 9:56 AM | link
While somewhat unlikely, I'd love to see a passenger rail stop in Troy.
... said jayme on Oct 27, 2015 at 10:04 AM | link
I would like to see Madison Avenue get the protected bike lanes that have been discussed over the last year. That, and some new dining options on Lark St.
... said GJ on Oct 27, 2015 at 10:12 AM | link
Prime Outlet shops in downtown Albany, surrounded by unique independent shops, galleries and eateries.
... said Jamie on Oct 27, 2015 at 10:21 AM | link
I would like to see a serious effort to save the Tudors on Holland Avenue from the demolition by neglect now in progress.
... said Cathy on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:18 AM | link
I would love love love to see an Ikea built here! If only we had enough people in the area to attract them!
... said Amanda on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:21 AM | link
A more centrally located and better bus station (for Greyhound et al) to replace that horrible one downtown.
... said Rebecca on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:23 AM | link
I would like to see a winter market.
The half moon market this past weekend was just lovely and well attended. Kudos to the gals at Fort Orange.
It would be wonderful to have a nice winter market - similar to the bryant park or union square market in nyc. We could even have it indoors, there are plenty of empty spaces all around our fair city.
... said tired mom on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:23 AM | link
I'd like to see some sort of mass transit (subway? train?) that connects Albany-Latham-Saratoga and Troy-Latham-Schenectady. For real.
... said katie a on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:29 AM | link
I would like to see cute small-business clothing retailers in downtown Albany
... said RC on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:39 AM | link
I'd like to see some of the major thoroughfares put on a diet, reducing traffic speed and providing safer community spaces for walking, bicycling and small seating areas.
... said Marcia on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:39 AM | link
I'd love to see the building of enthusiasm for downtown living continue! Walkability for the win.
... said Jenna on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:44 AM | link
A Center Square bar with well made cocktails and a nice but not too stuffy atmosphere (including a patio).
Also, All About That Bus, if you read this: CDTA already has a shuttle that goes between those exact two streets. It's the 22 bus.
... said Sarah on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:46 AM | link
A rooftop restaurant/bar. This city has some great views, why not show it off?
... said Michael on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:55 AM | link
@Sarah - It sounds like you're describing Lark + Lily - stop in!
... said Silvia Meder Lilly on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:56 AM | link
As someone mentioned above, a passenger rail stop in Troy, or even better, light rail in the area. Albany to Saratoga and Troy to Schenectady and the other combinations would be brilliant. This is not to say that I do not love CDTA but more options are always better.
Oh, and a large arena where Tributes hunt each other for the amusement of viewers.
... said Ned on Oct 27, 2015 at 12:03 PM | link
Albany should seize buildings that are not being used or developed, sell them, and use profits to improve and develop parking, green space, pedestrian and bike friendly routes, and repair roads in the warehouse district.
... said Bridget on Oct 27, 2015 at 12:04 PM | link
I would LOVE to see a WEGMAN's built in the CAP region. Enough of this "gentleman's agreemnet" nonsense, give the people what they want and deserve!
... said Jillian on Oct 27, 2015 at 12:09 PM | link
I would love to see a decent Escape Room (not the garbage at Crossgates) come to Albany. Structurally though, better biking infrastructure would be significantly appreciated - particularly bike/pedestrian bridges over busy intersections like Wolf Road/Central Ave.
... said Johnny C on Oct 27, 2015 at 12:12 PM | link
I'd love to see an independent movie theater open up in Downtown Troy!
... said Matt on Oct 27, 2015 at 12:12 PM | link
I would like to see some of these empty downtown buildings turned into some fresh local businesses! We need a more walk-able fresh market and how about a gym? How bout an arcade or bowling alley? As a downtown resident I would love more options for entertainment around the lark area that aren't bar/restaurant only.
... said Jen on Oct 27, 2015 at 12:32 PM | link
I would like to see more of the buildings in the Warehouse district redeveloped to continue the growth in that part of the city. It has such great potential!
... said L on Oct 27, 2015 at 1:08 PM | link
I would love to see some solid bike lanes built... along with the installation of a bike share system!
... said Katrina on Oct 27, 2015 at 1:14 PM | link
Nothing really to suggest, but I'll add that I love some of the creative ideas so many posters have suggested. Keep 'em coming!
... said Albany Archives on Oct 27, 2015 at 1:44 PM | link
I'd love to see trolley service--from the Hudson up the hill and from Albany to Troy!
... said Megan on Oct 27, 2015 at 1:44 PM | link
I'd like to see a (reasonably-priced) space where people can collaborate on creating artwork and/or sharing their talents. This might include space to teach classes on a variety of subjects - computer navigation for "non-tech" people, how to use your camera, writing workshops - the possibilities are endless!
... said Diana on Oct 27, 2015 at 2:10 PM | link
Give me a full-service supermarket smack-dab in Center Square -- a place where I can get all of my groceries, prescriptions, batteries when the smoke detector battery unexpectedly dies at 8 pm on a Tuesday and the last thing I want to do is get out of my pajamas and into my car . . . or, at the very least, FULLY gut and rebuild the Delaware Price Chopper -- from the produce and meats (is fresh really that difficult?), to the prices (more expensive than the suburban ones!), to the grimy feel, to the employees (generally rude and disinterested). Then maybe I can convince my boyfriend that we don't need to move to Delmar.
... said Nicole on Oct 27, 2015 at 2:13 PM | link
Regional tax base sharing.
... said Matt on Oct 27, 2015 at 2:22 PM | link
Wegmans!
... said Crystal on Oct 27, 2015 at 3:06 PM | link
I would love to see the Warehouse District become home to the proposed market as well as more community garden plots.
... said Katie on Oct 27, 2015 at 3:12 PM | link
I would love to see light passenger rail infrastructure (re)BUILT here. It will build a sense of security and freedom for non-driving travelers and build lasting relationships between municipalities and their arts, commerce, and residence.
... said Kristoph on Oct 27, 2015 at 3:57 PM | link
Light Rail - Troy-Albany-Hudson & Albany-Schenectady. Just returned from visiting Baltimore - loved the light rail and the free Charm City Circular.
... said Elissa Kane on Oct 27, 2015 at 4:24 PM | link
I'd love to see a permanent downtown marketplace of handmade goods, speciality foods and artwork......a destination for Albany residents to meet and shop.
... said David Hinchen on Oct 27, 2015 at 4:28 PM | link
Bike lanes everywhere
... said Petko on Oct 27, 2015 at 4:33 PM | link
I would love to see more community "built". Maybe restoring the waterfront by reinstating the rail bridge and renovating the Central Warehouse building into an upstate "Grand Central" inviting travelers, commuters, city dwellers to come and experience what the Port of Albany could be. Maybe the Ten Broeck Triangle, maybe the area around the soon to be convention center bringing residents back to liven downtown.
... said Vanessa Saari on Oct 27, 2015 at 5:27 PM | link
I would love to see small shops come back to downtown Albany. We have too many empty store fronts. It makes the city look dead. With the new convention center being built it would be nice for visitors to have some place to spend their money!
... said Annie on Oct 27, 2015 at 5:41 PM | link
I would like to see downtown Albany built up like Troy is which may be impossible but if you ask me nothing is impossible. Which this would include the waterfront and nice shops and places to eat along there.
... said Sue Hyland on Oct 27, 2015 at 6:13 PM | link
I'd love to see more local businesses open in Downtown Albany. It has so much potential!
... said Shannon on Oct 28, 2015 at 12:58 AM | link
An old fashioned castle playground in Albany! We have to hoof it to the burbs and hope no one notices we're city folk.
... said Melissa on Oct 28, 2015 at 7:44 AM | link
Movie theater in Troy again.
... said spencer on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:07 AM | link
I would love to see a World Market built around here. I adore that store and like going there every time I visit my hometown.
... said Tara on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:36 AM | link
A light rail system.
... said Thomas on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:40 AM | link
I would like to see high-speed rail connect upstate New York cities.
... said Dan on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:43 AM | link
I'd like to see light rail connecting the region.
... said Jennifer on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:49 AM | link
I'd like to see a protected bike lane built on Madison Ave in Albany.
... said Erin on Oct 28, 2015 at 9:01 AM | link
Fancy cocktail bar on lark street!
... said RG on Oct 28, 2015 at 9:28 AM | link
Many cities already have fast, reliable municipal wireless networks that provide Internet access as a universal service. Creating such a network in Albany would not only be a great convenience for everyone, but would also facilitate access for families that cannot afford costly cable or DSL connections that contribute to the digital divide that exacerbates inequality.
... said Elric on Oct 28, 2015 at 9:42 AM | link
I'd like to see 2 bikes lanes: east/west connecting SUNY to the River; and north/south connecting Arbor Hill to DelSo
... said Adam on Oct 28, 2015 at 10:18 AM | link
I would love to see the Aquarium in Rotterdam Square Mall be built! I can't wait to take my kids:)
... said Megan on Oct 28, 2015 at 10:58 AM | link
This probably wouldn't require much (if any) construction, but I'd like to see a weekend farmer's market in downtown Albany.
... said Ann on Oct 28, 2015 at 10:58 AM | link
There are so many beautiful historic buildings in Albany that have been abandoned in lower income neighborhoods. I would love to see a realistic program that would assist those residents to purchase and rehab these buildings and invest into their community.
... said Glenna on Oct 28, 2015 at 1:44 PM | link
1. Bustling downtown w/ shops, boutiques, cafes, etc. 2. Tunnel dug to replace 787.
... said nan on Oct 28, 2015 at 2:07 PM | link
A Chinatown archway on Central Avenue! That street has so much great food and shopping, but such a sad appearance. Embrace the local flavor and jazz it up, all in one go!
... said GB on Oct 28, 2015 at 4:22 PM | link
A multidisciplinary contemporary art space with indoor/outdoor cafe and retail space for local handmade products.
... said Judie Gilmore on Oct 28, 2015 at 5:28 PM | link
I would like to see an indoor market built that would feature strictly local produce, meats and products year around. It could be patterned after the many successful markets such as Lexington in Baltimore.
... said Gail on Oct 28, 2015 at 10:23 PM | link
A market that builds on the success of The Halfmoon Market and begins to include more local vendors. This doesn't mean new buildings or anything like that, just the will to dive in and do it.
... said Lorre S on Oct 29, 2015 at 1:13 PM | link
1 Monument square...
... said Ed on Oct 29, 2015 at 3:29 PM | link
Turn 75 percent of the public schools in Albany into public "magnet" schools. This provides real competition and choice to parents and will lessen the segregation of schools by income and race. For example, a great arts magnet school in Arbor Hill, would attract wealthier families across the city to bus their children, leading to real integration.
... said Paul on Oct 31, 2015 at 9:50 AM | link
Monument square
... said Noel Blair on Nov 1, 2015 at 10:59 AM | link