All Over Albany

The most popular items on AOA in 2016

At the end of each year we like to go the through the stats on AOA to see which posts were most popular. It's one way to remember some of the stuff that happened.

So, here are the most popular items on AOA for each month during 2016...

A quick note: We filtered out regular features such as the Neighborhood and Stuff To Do, along with "utility" type posts such as map listings for apple picking and ice skating. Also, some things that are spread out over multiple posts don't end up ranking as high as they would if totaled all together. The same goes for things posted toward the end of a month because their traffic totals are spread over two months. And: We pulled the most popular items from December as of December 28.

January: Thinking about the future of Lark Street
Talking with a bunch of people about the state, and direction, of Lark Street.
Also popular: The story of that beautiful, odd, skinny building on State Street in Albany

February: What if tearing down I-787 could actually improve traffic?
An interesting piece by Sandy Johnston challenging the notion that 787 in its current form is necessary for managing traffic in downtown Albany.
Also popular: A look at Troy Kitchen

March: The plan for the former Jillian's building, and cultivating retail in downtown Albany
Talking with the new owners of the prominent Pearl Street building about their redevelopment plans.
Also popular: Apartment living in downtown Albany

April: Ice cream slider at Kurver Kreme
An Eat This piece by Deanna Fox -- people flipped over the idea that you could get Kurver soft serve on a donut.
Also popular: Voices from the Albany rallies for Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump

May: Alive at Five 2016 lineup
Listings posts like this one tend to get a lot of interest to start, and then continue to draw people back through searches over time. Also: Alive at Five got a bit more attention because of the one-year switch to a different location (see below).
Also popular: Different location for Alive at Five this summer | Ben & Jerry's open again in Lark Street neighborhood

June: A look around Lucky Strike Social at Crossgates
Lots of curiosity about the new entertainment venue.
Also popular: The story behind Larkasaurus Rex

July: The first group of Park South redevelopment apartments are renting -- and there's a Chipotle going in there
The first apartments in the big redevelopment project in Albany started renting.
Also popular: The Palace is planning a major expansion

August: Sinkhole swallows SUV in Albany
Disaster always grabs attention.
Also popular: Tacos at Oaxaquena Triqui

September: AOA Startup Grant 2016
The startup grant contest returned during a different month this year -- and was still popular.
Also popular: The earlier-booze-at-brunch bill is now law

October: A few bits about Derailed, the film that's been shooting in Troy
People always seem curious when a movie production is in town.
Also popular: Breathing Lights begins

November: Clickable county by county results for 2016 presidential election in New York State
You might have heard we had a presidential election this year. These maps of the election results were the most popular item of the whole year.
Also popular: Checking out the Via Aquarium | Why Stacks Espresso picked downtown Albany for its next location

December: A few details about the proposed Mill Artisan District project in Schenectady
Haley Viccaro got some details on the proposal to redevelop a section of downtown Schenectady for craft beverage production and residential.
Also popular: A few bits about the proposed Albany Skyway | Plumb Oyster Bar

Here's the list from 2015.
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More That Was 2016
+ Favorite local foods of 2016
+ Surprises, concerns, and delights from 2016
+ Interesting stories to cover in 2016

sink hole photo via Laura (thank you, again)