Different location for Alive at Five this summer
A map clipped from the info being distributed to tenants in buildings near Tricentennial Park.
Though it's not official yet, it looks like the Alive at Five concert series will be relocated to the Tricentennial Park area of downtown Albany for this summer. The city of Albany has a press conference scheduled for next week in the park to talk about the venue change and this year's lineup.
Word of the relocation has been circulating this week after tenants of buildings near Tricentennial Park started getting notices about street closures for the concert series. A letter from the city explains that construction on the the bicycle and pedestrian upgrades project at Corning Riverfront Park prompted the switch from the typical amphitheater at Jennings Landing. Here's a clip from a copy floated our way this week:
After extensive research and consultation with the City's Police, Fire, General Services and Special Events Departments, it was determined that the ideal 2016 venue for Alive at Five is the block on Broadway between Columbia & Pine Streets. The series was successfully held in this location for more than a decade before the construction of the Jennings Landing amphitheater, and the layout allows for minimal disruption to traffic and businesses. It is a location that has been tested for this purpose and is well-known to the public. Bringing the series temporarily to Broadway will continue the positive cultural and economic force of Alive at Five on downtown Albany, bringing thousands of Capital Region residents to the area for performances by world- renowned musical artists of all genres.
The letter goes on to explain the planned setup -- the stage will be at Broadway and Columbia, facing south -- along with planned road closures and parking restrictions. And it also emphasizes that the city sees this as a temporary, one-year relocation. A copy of the letter and an accompanying map are after the jump.
This summer's Alive at Five series starts June 9. Keep an eye out for the lineup after next week's city announcement.
Letter
Alive at Five Letter Tricentennial Park by alloveralbany
Map
Alive at Five Tricentennial Park Map by alloveralbany
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(Thanks, everyone.)
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Comments
Are they insane?
... said Cyril on May 10, 2016 at 4:04 PM | link
Before the pedestrian footbridge, this is where the concerts were. In my opinion, Broadway is a far superior location for this.
... said Tim on May 10, 2016 at 4:07 PM | link
I love this. I bike home over the pedestrian bridge and up the Corning path, and I am so sick of, every Thursday in the summer, having to go through the bag checkpoint and dodging crowds all the way to the boat launch. Although I can also see how inconvenient this new location will be for people who drive a car down Broadway...
... said Ryan H on May 10, 2016 at 4:16 PM | link
Molly Hatchet August 4tth
... said Bill on May 10, 2016 at 4:23 PM | link
I always liked this location better. :)
... said Cm on May 11, 2016 at 6:38 AM | link
Did I miss the concert lineup somewhere or has it not been announced yet?
... said Susan on May 11, 2016 at 10:00 AM | link
@Susan: The lineup has not been announced yet. Look for it next week.
... said Greg on May 11, 2016 at 11:08 AM | link
Eath Wind and Fire July 21
... said Pete S on May 11, 2016 at 12:23 PM | link
Are they crazy?? They say it was done there before Jennings Landing, which is fine but there weren't about 2000 more state workers downtown, the 677 building, etc. at that time. Some employees all over downtown park in all the public and private lots around that area. WTF??? It is nearly impossible to get around that area on a normal day at 5 pm. What about the CDTA busses and the Park and Ride busses that come from 50 miles north and south of Albany to pick up workers. I cannot even fathom what in the world is going to happen on Thursdays for eight weeks. And is it going to be cleaned up when people return to work on Fridays or is it going to smell like a brewery like it did 10 years ago for about 3 months straight? I get that I am a total Debbie Downer about this, but it is going to be a MAJOR hassle and until it directly affects you, you really have no idea.
... said um... on May 11, 2016 at 7:11 PM | link
"It is nearly impossible to get around that area on a normal day at 5 pm." Based on this bit of unreality, the rest of the comment can safely be ignored. It's much worse trying to get around Wolf Road or some other area car sewer at just about any time.
But then again, never underestimate a Capital District resident's capacity for complaining about minor inconveniences.
... said JayK on May 12, 2016 at 2:07 PM | link
The point about buses is valid, though. Kiernan Plaza is a busy stop around that time of day, I wonder what the re-route option is.
... said -B on May 12, 2016 at 2:35 PM | link
@Pete S source?
... said Cody on May 12, 2016 at 3:37 PM | link
-B, I'd guess Pearl Street. CDTA is generally good about smart re-routing, and walking to a different stop isn't a hardship. (I say this as a constant bus rider.)
... said JayK on May 12, 2016 at 3:57 PM | link
I always liked it better when it was on Broadway. Can't wait!
... said Kashline on May 12, 2016 at 4:22 PM | link
"JayK" - leave it to YOU to trash a comment that is based purely in reality. Wolf Rd. is equally a nightmare. I admitted to being a Debbie Downer about it. There's certainly no need to be a jerk in response.
... said Um... on May 12, 2016 at 11:00 PM | link
[Criticism and disagreement are fine. But let's stay on the path here and not start jabbing each other.]
... said Greg on May 13, 2016 at 10:36 AM | link
I'm not being a jerk. I'm being realistic. Traffic generally moves smoothly through downtown Albany. But traffic lights are involved, so drivers tend to whine about it, as they do any minor inconvenience. But go to a car sewer like Wolf Rd or any main road in the suburbs (looking at you, Latham) and it's a nightmare, for cars and theoretical pedestrians alike.
If it's that much of a problem, take the bus or move. But please, enough with the whining.
... said JayK on May 13, 2016 at 2:23 PM | link