Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century One of the oldest cities in the country,

Albany displays its Dutch heritage in the architecture of some of its buildings and in the narrow streets that date from colonial times. In 2005 Forbes magazine named Albany number 34 among the nation's "Best Places for Business." Education Albany boasts seven colleges or universities awarding degrees in such diverse fields as business, education, medicine, regional planning, and law. As the Capital of New York State, Albany is involved in education to a degree not too often attained by a City of its size. For instance, Albany is the headquarters of the State Education Department. The following educational institutions are located in Albany: Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, The College of St. Rose, Junior College of Albany, Maria College, State University of New York at Albany The Capital Region is prepared for continued growth through the abundance of quality education provided by the 21 colleges found within a 30-mile radius, accounting for 80,000 students. Forbes Magazine ranks the Capital Region the third Best Place with the Best Education in the nation. Residents of Albany, NY live in the ninth most-educated city in the country according to Business Development Outlook Magazine (July/August 2002) Parks, Recreation, and Culture Albany is home to many beautiful parks, including Washington Park, Lincoln Park, and Albany Riverfront Park, as well as numerous neighborhood pocket parks. The Palace Theatre, the Egg, and Capital Repertory hosts symphonies, orchestras, and Broadway shows, while the Pepsi Arena is the home to sports and entertainment venues. City parks and recreational facilities encompass a total of 2,001 acres, including 15 community parks and 11 major parks. The parks of the City of Albany offer year-round recreation facilities and programming. Geography Albany is located on a steep hill at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers in the east-central region of New York State. At the riverfront, the city is only a few feet above sea level. The terrain rises gradually, reaching a height of 1,800 feet 11 miles to the west and 2,000 feet 12 miles to the east. Albany has a land area of 21.84 square miles (2000) and an average elevation of 29 feet above sea level.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century Government Albany is governed by a mayor and a sixteen-member council elected for four-year terms. The city is divided into 15 wards, with each ward represented on the council by an alderman. Housing Albanys residents occupy 40,709 housing units, for an average of 2.34 persons per unit. An additional 4,579 units were vacant at the time of the 2000 Census, bringing the total number of housing units in the City to 45,288. The majority of the housing units in Albany, 62.4%, are renter-occupied. Owner-occupied units comprise 37.6% of the Citys housing stock. Less than 10% of the remaining housing units in Albany were classified as vacant. Between 1990 and 2000, the total number of occupied housing units declined by 3.4%, a net decline of 1,412 units. The figures reflect significant housing unit losses in certain areas of the City, such as the South End, with housing growth in other areas of Albany. The owner occupancy rate decreased slightly from 38.3% to 37.6%. The number of vacant units rose slightly, from 8.5% of the total housing stock in 1990 to 9.9% in 2000. In terms of the number of units per structure, Albany has a relatively diverse housing stock. Single-family detached or attached homes represent 33.4% of all housing units. Two family structures account for 27.1% of all residences, while three and four-unit structures account for 15.5%. Another 23.9% of the housing units in the City are in multifamily buildings with five or more units. Almost 50% Albanys housing units were constructed prior to 1940, evidence of a need for sustained maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation. Just over 90% of Albanys housing stock was built prior to 1979, indicating the potential for a high incidence of housing units with lead based paint issues. The age of the housing and limited new construction shows a need for rehabilitation and new construction. The Albany Housing Authority (AHA) administers 2033 units of Federal and New York State-assisted low-income public housing. AHA provides homes for over 3,700 persons, representing nearly 4% of the City of Albany's full-time population. The Authority also administers over 1700 Vouchers under the low-income Section 8 Housing Choice Program. AHA has implemented many programs that serve the residents with their goals of economic independence and self-sufficiency.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century Select Demographics (2000 Census) Total Population Percent White Percent Black or African American Percent American Indian and Alaska Native Percent Asian Percent Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander Percent Some other race Percent Owner-occupied housing units Percent Renter-occupied housing units Percent Bachelors degree or higher Percent commuting to work via public transit Percent walking to work Median household income Percent of households below poverty level 95,658 65.1 29.9 1.0 3.9 0.1 3.2 37.6 62.4 32.5 13.1 10.8 $ 30,041 17.0

ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED Air and Water Quality The City water system serves over 95,000 residents through 29,000 service connections. The total water produced in 2005 was 7,781,306,388 gallons. The amount of water delivered to customers was 7,717,968,738 gallons, allowing 63,337,650 gallons for filter washes and other filtration plant domestic use. The numbers above in conjunction with a large area of impervious surfaces provides the city with an opportunity and obligation to find ways of conserving this valuable resource. Water can be conserved through water-efficiency programs and quality can be improved through the promotion of green building and infrastructure practices. Air quality in the City of Albany can be improved by the promotion of green roofs, energy efficiency programs for public and private structures, street tree programs, and the promotion of mass transit and ride sharing for the approximately 81,000 workers (2004) who commute to the city on a daily basis. Energy Efficiency The City of Albany recognizes the importance of energy-efficiency and recognizes that we can increase citywide energy-efficiency by conducting an energy audit of city-owned buildings and facilities and by taking the lead on promoting energy conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable building technologies. Energy efficiency may also be promoted through programs and incentives for homeowners and businesses citywide.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century

Transportation The SDAT will address numerous aspects of transportation. These issues encompass parking practices and policies, circulation, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, mass transit, and ride-sharing. As an older city with an existing infrastructure that is in the process of ongoing revitalization, it is of paramount importance that we improve and promote a diverse and sustainable transportation system. Housing/Affordability The City is dedicated to working with our public and private partners to improve the quality and availability of affordable housing. Additionally, we recognize the importance of promoting sustainable technologies and practices in the construction of new housing or the rehabilitation of existing stock. Revitalization Albany has experienced significant revitalization in the past 10 years and is at a turning point for attracting the next level of investment and activity. Despite the growing success of commercial expansion in downtown Albany, buildings still remain that are currently underutilized, especially upper floor elevations downtown. The City is currently managing a program to assist property owners in rehabilitating these upper floors back to residential use. This in conjunction with the new downtown condominiums slated for construction over the next year marks a concerted effort by the City to promote the sustainable reuse of existing structures and the development of modern dwellings to attract residents back to our walkable, mixed-use downtown. Public Policy/Planning/Land Use The City is in the early stages of developing a citywide comprehensive plan and sustainability will be a cornerstone of this plan. This plan will provide the community the forum to vocalize and document its commitment to the issues and recommendations identified as a result of the SDAT process. Additionally, the City is committed to updating the zoning ordinance following the comprehensive planning process, which will provide the opportunity for elements of sustainability to be formally codified and implemented by city departments and governmental entities. The City also believes, as the capital of New York, it is has a commitment to lead by example regarding urban sustainability. Public Spaces The City recognizes that the quality of life for residents and visitors is dependent upon the number and design of public spaces. These spaces range from small pocket parks, the Hudson Riverfront Park, and streetscapes. These public spaces also provide the

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century opportunity for employing sustainable practices such as urban greening, pedestrian and bicycle linkages, and green stormwater systems.

POTENTIAL OBJECTIVES OF SDAT PROCESS Potential concepts to be reviewed as part of the SDAT process: Creation of marketing and educational materials showing economic benefit of sustainable building and design. Development and codification of green building and infrastructure standards. Conduct energy audit of public buildings and facilities. Promotion of alternative transportation options: bus, walking, bicycling, ridesharing. Construction of model green homes and businesses. Development of partnerships with green companies and funding sources. Development of funding or grant program for sustainable residential rehabilitation and/or upgrades. Development of incentives for residential and business energy conservation. Creation of city sustainability staff position. Promotion and codification of bicycle facilities. Codification of energy-efficiency standards. Promotion of a street tree program. Determine % of impervious surfaces in the city. Work with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity on green building practices. Evaluation of current city recycling program and landfill efficiency.

CURRENT PROJECTS THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SDAT Numerous major projects and initiatives that are in various stages of development that will provide the opportunity for the City to initiate sustainable building and infrastructure practices. Examples include: Harriman Campus Redevelopment The Harriman campus is an existing 300 acre New York State office park with 2.5 million square feet of office space. The state is currently working with the City and numerous stakeholders on a plan to transform the campus into a mixed-use innovation community. The Harriman Campus will be a state-of-the-art research and office facility spanning 300 acres within the city. Through partnerships with businesses, state and local government, and researchers at the University at Albany, the Harriman Campus will foster development of cutting-edge technologies and new projects, create high-quality jobs, stimulate investment and economic growth, expand the local real property tax base and encourage technology transfer and commercialization. The scale of this

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century redevelopment offers an unparalled opportunity to convert an aged and inefficient infrastructure to a modern sustainable standard. Convention Center A new 225,000 total-square-foot $200 million convention center will be constructed along Broadway in downtown Albany. The project will bring new jobs, businesses, investment and regional and national attention to the community helping to revitalize Albany's downtown. The convention center will make it possible for larger gatherings of labor unions, business groups and other organizations to meet in New York's capital city. Downtown Condominiums 733 Broadway is an approved ten-story residential building with 122 for sale units and 192 indoor parking spaces within the first three floors. SOMA at Quackenbush Square is an approved mixed-use project consisting of 115,000 square feet of office, 100-130 apartments (132,000 square feet), and 22,500 square feet of commercial space.

Downtown Residential Initiative The City of Albany, the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), and the Albany Local Development Corporation (ALDC) are seeking proposals from qualified architectural/ engineering firms to investigate the feasibility of converting upper floors of commercial properties in Albanys Central Business District (CBD) into residential uses. The goal of the project will be to provide requisite technical analysis for those property owners who are interested and have the appropriate space to move forward on upper floor residential conversions. The selected architectural/engineering firms coordinate with designated property owners to conduct a property evaluation to determine feasibility of converting underutilized or vacant space for residential use. Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Update In the past year, the City of Albany has made a commitment to develop a citywide comprehensive plan. The plan will logically guide development through zoning to provide for a livable and sustainable community that is true to the citys character. The comprehensive plan is in the initial stages of research and capacity building, and will be moving forward to utilize specialists and the community to identify, preserve and provide for historical, cultural and natural resources as well as to examine current land use, transportation and infrastructure. Wellington Row A string of five dilapidated abandoned buildings known as Wellington Row have recently been slated to be redeveloped by a locally-active private developer with the help of a $2.5 million grant from Restore NY, a state-funded restoration grant program. The buildings,

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century left vacant for over 20 years, will be converted into office buildings with ground-floor retail to promote a walkable downtown. The rebirth of the row, which lines State Street the main thoroughfare providing vistas of the State Capitol and the State University of New York Plaza, is a pivotal component of the citys plan for the revitalization of downtown. Route 5 BRT The NY 5 corridor between Albany and Schenectady is a16.5 mile roadway that is the Capital District Transportation Authoritys (CDTAs) busiest corridor. Routes in the corridor carry 25% of CDTAs total ridership. Along the corridor, there are travel destinations that range from major employment centers (such as the New York State Capitol, the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, the Empire State Plaza, One Commerce Plaza, the MVP Health Plan offices and the New York State Department of Transportations Region 1 Offices) to major shopping destinations (Colonie Center, Northway Mall and Mohawk Commons) and general retail and service businesses, residential housing. As identified in the NY 5 Land Use and Transportation Concepts Study, Bus Rapid Transit is particularly well-suited for the corridor because it can bring rail-like service to the major destinations in the corridor at a much lower cost, with much less disruption, in less time than light rail transit. A BRT system can also take full advantage of new traffic signal technology being installed on NY 5, which can help support preferential treatment of the BRT service. In addition, since NY 5 is readily accessible from both the Northway (in Colonie) and I-890 (in Schenectady), there is the potential for driving to satellite parking areas at which BRT can be accessed for travel to the downtowns. BUDGET Organization City of Albany - Planning Staff in-kind City of Albany Planning Staff - mapping Scott Townsend 3T architects in-kind moderatorCertified Green Communities Charrette Facilitator AIAs SDAT Program Total AMOUNT $5,000 $1,000 $2,400 $20,000 $28,400

The City of Albany is also committed to securing the necessary funds to successfully undertake and complete the SDAT process. TIMETABLE As the City is in the early stages of the comprehensive planning process, we would like to initiate the SDAT program in the Spring of 2007 with a completion date no later then 6/31/07.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century STEERING COMMITTEE Alain Kaloyeros - invited College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at SUNY-Albany Howard Stoller - invited Council of Albany Neighborhood Assoc. Scott Townsend AIA LEED 3t architects 418 Broadway Albany NY 12207 518.618.0900 Lori Harris Norstar Development 733 Broadway, Albany NY 12207 518.431.1051 Darren Scott Albany Housing Authority 200 South Pearl, Albany NY 12202 518.641.7483 Mike Yevoli, Planning Director City of Albany Dept of Dvlpmnt. & Planning 21 Lodge Street Albany, NY 12207 518.434.2532 Duncan Barrett Omni Development 40 Beaver Street, Albany NY 12207 518.432.4500 Tom Nardacci Gramercy Communications 418 Broadway, Albany NY 12207 518.459.2284 George Leveille or representative Albany Convention Center. Authority 25 Quackenbush Square Albany, NY 12207 518.434.1217 x203 Dan Herring City of Albany Common Council Land Use Committee 4 Fairlawn Avenue Albany, NY 12203 518.438.7527

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Dan Woodside AIA LEED Collins+Scoville 40 Beaver Street Albany NY 12207 518.463.8068 Jodi S. Anderson Collins+Scoville 40 Beaver Street Albany NY 12207 518.463.8068 Marc Bailey AIA, CNU 3t architects 418 Broadway Albany NY 12207 518.618.0900 Brian OToole Enterprise Foundation 54 State Street, Suite 201 Albany, NY 12207 518.427.0670 Gene Bunnell, Ph.D., AICP Department of Geography and Planning AS210 University at Albany 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12222 518.442.4770 New York State Energy and Research Development Authority - invited John Montagne Chazen Companies 547 River Street Troy, NY 12180 518.273.0055 Doug Melnick, Sr. Planner City of Albany: Department of Development and Planning 21 Lodge Street, Albany NY 12207 518.434.2532

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century STUDENT RESOURCES The City of Albany Department of Planning and Development has an excellent relationship with the State University @ Albanys Department of Geography and Planning. It is our intention to coordinate with Gene Bunnell, Ph.D., AICP of the Department of Geography and Planning to enlist the support of current graduate students for various aspects of the SDAT process. MEDIA PLAN The Steering Committee and the City will work with the media outlets below through press releases in order to raise public awareness of the SDAT and the importance of sustainability in the City and the region in general. Print Albany Times Union News Plaza, P.O. Box 15000, Albany, New York (NY) 12212 (518) 454-5694 www.timesunion.com The Business Review (Albany) 40 British American Blvd., Latham, New York (NY) 12110 (518) 640-6800 www.amcity.com Television PAX TV 55 15 N Pearl St, Albany, New York (NY) 12204 (518) 464-0143 WNYT 13 Albany NBC P.O. Box 4035, Albany, New York (NY) 12204 (518) 436-4791 www.wnyt.com WXXZ - FOX23 News 28 Corporate Circle, Albany, New York (NY) 12203 (518) 862-0995 www.fox23news.com

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady) 2345 Maxon Road, Schenectady, New York (NY) 12308 (518) 374-4141 www.dailygazette.com Tech Valley Times 125 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs, New York (NY) 12866 (518) 934-8704 www.techvalleytimes.com Capital News 9 24 Hour Local News 104 Watervliet Avenue Extension Albany, NY 12206 518-641-NEWS (6397) www.capitalnews9.com CBS 6 WRGB 1400 Balltown Road, Schenectady, New York (NY) 12309 (518) 346-6666 www.wrgb.com WTEN News 10 - ABC 341 Northern Boulevard, Albany, New York (NY) 12204 (518) 436-4822 www.wten.com

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century Radio WROW Radio 590 News 6 Johnson Rd, Latham, New York (NY) 12110 (518) 476-5900

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century SELF-EVALUATION

MISSION The mission of the City of Albanys SDAT process is to develop a vision for a more sustainable city through a cooperative and open process that brings together various public and private stakeholders and technical experts with the goal of beginning a dialogue towards implementable programs and policies. These programs and policies will have the potential to address numerous issues including air and water quality, transportation, energy-efficiency, land use, affordable housing, public spaces, economic revitalization, public policy, and planning and zoning. PROJECT AREA The SDAT will focus on issues and opportunities on a citywide scale. PARTICIPANT OUTLINE The SDAT process will be open to all members of the community and the following groups to date have been asked to take part in the program: SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Albany Housing Authority, City of Albany Common Council, Enterprise Foundation, Historic Albany Foundation, City of Albany Business Improvement Districts, New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, University at Albany Department of Planning and Geography, College of St. Rose, Arbor Hill Development Corporation, South End Action Committee, Capital District Transportation Committee, Capital District Regional Planning Commission, Capital District Transportation Authority, Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations, AIA Eastern New York, Albany Convention Center Authority, Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, Harriman Research and Technology Development Corp., and numerous local developers, neighborhood associations, non-profits, and businesses. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths Diverse, affordable, historical and aesthetically valuable housing stock Diversity of population Access to mass transit Strong communities and walkable neighborhoods Center of state government Historic significance Stable employers (government, commerce, education) Hudson Riverfront Access to major cities (Boston, Montreal, NYC)

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century Environmental & recreational amenities (Adirondacks, Berkshires, Catskills, Black Mountains) Cultural and Educational amenities (Palace Theatre, universities, museums, summer home of symphony) Numerous not-profit and service organizations.

Weaknesses Vacant and abandoned buildings Income and employment gap Low educational attainment in poor communities (unskilled labor force) Lack of diverse transportation system Public safety issues

Opportunities Developing nanotech industry Tech Valley Diverse, affordable historically and aesthetically valuable housing stock Renewed interest in downtown/urban living Increased cost of living and doing business in nearby major cities Cooperative and enthusiastic private business climate Partnerships with local universities National and regional recognition as a state capital

Threats Dependence on the automobile Perceived parking problem Perceived public safety issues Cost of living and doing business and competition with suburbs

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TO SDAT PROCESS As the numerous letters of support reveal, the Albany community is eager to undertake the steps necessary to become a sustainable city. We realize the importance of planning for the future and have begun the comprehensive planning process so as to guide current and future initiatives and policies in a desirable direction. The SDAT process will assist the community in identifying a common and implementable vision for a sustainable future.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century SUMMARY OF NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING INITIATIVES SINCE 2000 Arbor Hill Neighborhood Plan The Arbor Hill Neighborhood Plan, completed in July 2003, involved a highly participatory, year-long process. A 23-member Neighborhood Advisory Committee, representing various neighborhood stakeholders, guided City staff and consultants in the development of the plan. Broad public involvement was afforded through an initial public meeting and a hands-on design workshop. Members of the public also participated by commenting at the Advisory Committees monthly meetings, and later, by serving on the plans implementation committees. A final public meeting to approve the plan was held with over 100 people in attendance. There are four committees working on implementation, representing the plans four areas of focus, namely: Homeownership and Rental Housing; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Business and Job Development; and Quality of Life. The Mayor appointed an Arbor Hill Implementation Team, comprised of three representatives from each of these committees to help oversee and coordinate the efforts. The City of Albany will concentrate future planning efforts in Arbor Hill in the areas of housing and commercial development, leaving the other areas to neighborhood leadership. Housing efforts will concentrate on planning at the block level and targeting available resources to those areas. Block planning has begun on Second Street between Henry Johnson Boulevard and Lark Street and will continue onto the parallel sections of First and Third Streets. It entails gathering detailed property information, touring the blocks with an interdisciplinary team including staff from Development and Planning, Building and Codes, Albany Community Development Agency, Albany Police Department, Albany Housing Authority, and Historic Albany Foundation to develop a disposition plan, and implementing the plan using available resources. Plan implementation involves using HUD resources to demolish dilapidated properties, assemble land for new development, and provide financial assistance to address code violations or otherwise rehabilitate existing properties. The Target Block Assistance Program developed by ACDA packages HUD monies to offer up to $15,000 deferred loan for faade renovation, based on existence of Lead paint, exterior code violations and public health and safety issues. Eligible applicants are homeowners with property in the Second Street target block. To date, the Arbor Hill Neighborhood Plan has helped the Albany Housing Authority secure over $5 million for new housing in the neighborhood. This funding will result in the construction of 54 new rental units located in clusters across the neighborhood, beginning in the targeted blocks. In addition, the Plan, in conjunction with this large, planned public investment, has already drawn private sector investment to the target area. The Citys commercial development efforts will focus on assembling ten properties into a combined 26,000 square foot parcel on the east side of Henry Johnson Boulevard, between First and Second Streets. Once fully assembled, this site will be marketed for

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century commercial development. The City will then expand its commercial development efforts by focusing on the adjacent block between First Street and Clinton Avenue. It is believed that the desirability of these parcels for redevelopment will increase given the investments in residential properties immediately behind the commercial corridor, i.e. on First, Second and Third Streets between Henry Johnson Boulevard and Lark Street. Abandoned Buildings/Capital City Housing The blighting influence of abandoned properties (buildings and lots) was cited as a major obstacle to improving the Arbor Hill and other inner-city core neighborhoods, very early on in the planning process. In fact, the plans advisory committee commented that the problem was so pervasive that making investments in the neighborhood without addressing this issue would be futile. Given the tendency for a number of abandoned properties to continue to cycle through the Countys auction process without ever being fully rehabilitated, one of the Citys first actions on the issue was to request that the County donate to the City selective Arbor Hill properties with development potential. In March of 2004, the City acquired 57 abandoned properties (buildings and lots) from the County. Staff from Development and Planning, Albany Community Development Agency, Historic Albany Foundation, and various not-for-profit and for-profit housing developers toured the previously County-owned buildings as well as some ACDA-owned buildings to assess their potential for reuse given their current condition and historic significance. Working in consultation with the Arbor Hill Housing Committee from the neighborhood planning process, the City developed a disposition plan for these sixteen properties. This plan included setting aside some properties for the Albany Housing Authority development. The City then sent out a Request for Proposals for the eight remaining buildings that were the best candidates for rehabilitation. Despite extensive outreach to contractors and developers, no proposals were received. The disposition of these properties will be revisited with the Housing Committee. No doubt some buildings will be demolished while attempts are made to use remaining funds to preserve those of greatest historic importance. The City has also responded to the abandoned property issue by hiring an outside consulting firm with expertise in this field, The Enterprise Foundation, to provide guidance. The City has already begun to implement its recommendations one to target resources to address the problem through block planning as described in a previous section, the other to reconstitute Capital City Housing (CCH). CCH is a Community Housing Development Organization working in close collaboration with the city and residents of target block/NSA residents to develop a vision on how to deal with abandoned properties. Its reconstitution provides access to 15 percent of the Citys HOME funds for project development. CCH is overseen by a board that includes representatives from the banking industry, Historic Albany Foundation, and city neighborhoods. CCH, though starting in Arbor Hill, will act as the facilitator of redevelopment opportunities citywide.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century Touhey Homeownership Foundation The Touhey Homeownership Foundation has established a $1 million fund to construct up to 50 new owner-occupied homes. The initiative will start in Arbor Hill and spread citywide. The City and County have supplied vacant lots for the units, starting on Second Street where block planning is occurring. Homes will start at $89,000. A $20,000 subsidy is being provided per home to make up the gap between the cost of construction and market rates. The homes will be two-family, enabling the homeowner to rent the lower floor. The cost to own a home will be $395 ($795 mortgage plus taxes - $400 rent). Applicants must have an income of at least $27,000 and agree to live in the home for five years to qualify. Since the program will fund construction but not acquisition, the City will continue to work acquire and assemble properties for continued housing development opportunities such as this.

South End Action Committee (SEAC) Following the example of Arbor Hill, the South End Action Committee will focus its attention on targeted block planning. The City will work with the SEAC in identifying a target area and developing a disposition plan to share with affected stakeholders. The planning process will be the similar to that used for Arbor Hill. (See Arbor Hill Neighborhood Plan section for more information on block planning.) The SEAC will also be pursuing conceptual ideas for developing a community center at Giffen Elementary School and continuing to outreach to social service providers in the neighborhood to keep them abreast of the SEACs work so they can better coordinate their own efforts in the South End. The City is currently working with SEAC and Collins and Scoville Architects on a South End master plan utilizing funds from the AIA 150 initiative. Park South Revitalization Plan The Park South neighborhood is well situated between educational institutions known as University Heights, employers, and other assets. The neighborhood is situated between Albany's beautiful Washington Park on the north and Albany Medical Center and the University Heights campus on the southern and northern boarders. These institutions serve as major employers for the city and capital region. Lark Street, a vibrant, eclectic commercial and neighborhood district, is the eastern boundary of Park South. The Pine Hills neighborhood is to the West. It covers approximately 25.8 acres of land within 9 city blocks and has a population of approximately 1,828. Despite these positive attributes, the neighborhood is experiencing growing problems with public safety. An effort is being made to reverse the trends of disinvestment, declining homeownership and loss of security. This revitalization strategy encompasses a plan for the residential and commercial redevelopment for Park South along with financial pro-formas to detail and test the most viable housing product. The strategy also

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century looks at the allocation of resources to provide quality housing, which serves current residents, workers and students into the surrounding neighborhood setting. The Albany Local Development Corporation (ALDC) began seeking proposals for the preparation of a revitalization strategy for the Park South Neighborhood in January of 2003. In May of 2003 Design Collective, a planning and architecture firm from Baltimore was hired to do a plan and market study for the neighborhood. From May 2003 to June 2004 Design Collective worked with the neighborhood residents, the Park South Advisory Committee, and City Officials to construct a revitalization plan for the neighborhood. The plan was most recently presented to the Common Council on June 30, 2004. The plan consists of four chapters addressing: The State of the Neighborhood, Opportunities and Market Findings, Plan Recommendations, and Implementation. The Plan is currently complete and the ALDC and Department of Development and planning are beginning the implementation of the plans key elements, which includes the proposed construction of: 20 to 27 new for-sale homes 120 to 180 new rental units 200 to 400 bed mixed-use student housing facility 50,000 +/- SF mixed-use medical office building.

Implementation of Plan elements should be in accordance with the Plans guiding principles and in a targeted and methodical manor. Elements of the plan should also happen in concurrent phases, for example: pursuit of a development team for the mixeduse office building can occur while activities supportive of the plan like homeownership programming and quality of life services are being targeted. Implementation of the plan is not reliant on one party but all who have contributed to this process prior to the drafting of the plan including: the Park South Advisory Committee, Park South Neighborhood Association Members, City of Albany Department of Development and Planning, Albany Local Development Corporation, and the University Heights Association. Midtown Colleges and University Study One of the many strengths of the City of Albany is the number of fine institutions of higher education. It is recognized that the colleges and university located in the City are major centers of activity and stability in City neighborhoods. It is further recognized that there is significant benefit to the City and the institutions if there is coordination in and among the institutions forming Community University partnerships. The NYS Quality Communities Program has provided the City of Albany with funding to undertake a planning process that will result in a strategic plan to leverage the investment opportunities and programming needs of the institutions of higher education. The targeted institutions are those located in the central portion of the City of Albany including: SUNY - downtown campus, the College of St. Rose, the University Heights partners which include the Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany College of Law, Albany Medical College, Albany Medical Center, and The Sage Colleges.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century

The City of Albany began seeking proposals for the preparation of a revitalization and investment strategy for the Midtown Colleges and University study area in February of 2004. In March of 2004 URS Corporation, a strategic planning firm, and Institutional Project Management, a facilities development and operations firm, were hired to do a plan and market analysis for the study area. The proposed area of focus is generally bounded by Central Avenue to the north, Lark Street to the east, West Lawrence Street to the west, and the UHA campus to the south. The proposed boundaries are only general parameters identified to guide the effort, and all opportunities to leverage investment decisions among the partners for the benefit of community will be sought. A primary focus of the Quality Communities Initiative in the City of Albany is to develop an implementation strategy for a portion of the City directly impacted by investment activities of SUNY (downtown campus), the College of Saint Rose, the University Heights partners, and the Park South Redevelopment Plan. It is recognized that the coordination of development activities of the partners (the City of Albany, SUNY, CSR, and UHA) will benefit the individual institutions as well as the various neighborhoods in and around the targeted area of the City. Further, the evaluation of needs based on that of the various partners related to student housing, employee housing, commercial services, and programming/educational space is key to accomplishing this coordination. To that end, this study will take account of studies that have already been completed like the strategic revitalization plan for Central Avenue, Avenue 2000, and those like Park South that are currently underway to facilitate this planning process.

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Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century CITY OF ALBANY 5 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN (2005-2010) Mission: In 1994, Mayor Gerald Jennings assembled a group of key stakeholders to develop a collective vision for revitalizing the City of Albany. The economic development strategy devised by the committee was unveiled in March of 1996, and became known as Capitalize Albany. Initiatives completed since 1994 have resulted in over 1 billion dollars of investment in the City of Albany. In January 2005, Mayor Jennings reconstituted the board of Capitalize Albany with the goal to capitalize on the City of Albanys emergence as a center of high technology and higher education while continuing successful initiatives in riverfront development and downtown and neighborhood revitalization. The focus areas of the plan are: I. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Goal: Support activities that promote new investment, jobs, and sales and property tax revenue, while helping to retain and grow existing businesses. Objectives: Capitalize on the redevelopment of the Harriman State Campus as an opportunity to attract high quality, high tech jobs and businesses; expand the tax base; and integrate the campus with surrounding neighborhoods and the greater City. Encourage the relocation of state office tenants from the Harriman Campus to locations within the City of Albany. Capitalize on the proposed convention center/hotel developments ability to create new jobs and draw investment. Support the expansion of the Port of Albany as a first class container port. Support improvements to Central Avenue that will enhance its image and function as a primary commercial corridor and City gateway. Support the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit along Route 5 to increase regional mobility and access and spur economic development. Support business improvement district initiatives, such as marketing and way finding. Coordinate public and not-for-profit workforce training and support programs to connect City residents, particularly low-income residents, to new job opportunities. Leverage the Empire Zone Program to foster job development and business investment.

- 20 -

Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century II. Goals: A. Downtown Diversification: Diversify the downtown economy with particular emphasis on the housing and commercial/retail sectors. DOWNTOWN AND RIVERFRONT REVITALIZATION

Objectives: Inventory available commercial/retail space. Work with the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District and commercial realtors to fill vacancies. Provide architectural services and incentives for residential conversion. Identify and market housing redevelopment opportunities downtown. Promote mixed commercial and residential development. Investigate opportunities to create large-scale development sites. Encourage the development of hotels downtown. Seek funding to implement the streetscape design for State Street.

B. Riverfront Destination: Continue to develop the riverfront into a regional recreational and entertainment destination. Objectives: Implement Corning Preserve Phase 2 to create additional festival space and riverfront recreational opportunities. Expand programming at the riverfront to include more weekend and evening events and to increase the variety of activities offered. Encourage more commercial activity at the riverfront, capitalizing on seasonal opportunities.

III.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Goal: Promote Albany as a major arts and entertainment center for the region to draw increased patronage and encourage tourism. Objectives: Pursue development of a convention center and hotel to draw more visitors to Albany. Improve Pine Street Plaza as the new location for regional promotion and events. Facilitate movement within the downtown through the exploration of a free bus/trolley loop. Support the development of Lark Street as an arts district. - 21 -

Albany, New York: A Sustainable Capital for the 21st Century Pursue the expansion of arts venues and programs, including finding a new home for the Capital Repertory Theatre, and continued programming and renovation of the Palace Theater. Expand the Citys web site to identify and promote attractions throughout the City.

IV.

NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY

Goal: Expand housing opportunities, support investment in neighborhood commercial districts and make other improvements to enhance neighborhood livability. Objectives: Expand owner-occupied and rental housing options in City neighborhoods through compatible infill construction and the rehabilitation of existing structures. Provide a variety of housing products to respond to the demands of different target markets. Continue outreach and counseling services to qualify individuals for first-time homeownership opportunities. Support investment in neighborhood commercial districts. Encourage mixed-use development to add vitality to the street environment. Use the enforcement of City Codes as a vehicle to protect residential quality and neighborhood livability. Protect and enhance neighborhood assets, such as parks and recreational amenities. Plan for the strategic expansion of midtown institutions of higher education to mutually benefit the schools and surrounding neighborhoods. Consistent with the Citys Vacant Properties Initiative, concentrate existing public subsidies in targeted areas to support new investment and maximize neighborhood impact. Assess the need for additional neighborhood services, e.g. day care, community centers, etc. Support the reuse of historic buildings.

- 22 -

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November28,2006

SDAT Program Director,Centerfor Communities byDesign The AmericanInstitute of Architects 1735New York AvenueNW Washington, D.C. 20006-529i2 DearSDAT Program ReviewCommittee: On behalf of the City of Albany, I am pleased to offer my supportfor our application to the AmericanInstitute of Architects(AIA) 2007 Sustainable DesignAssessment Team Program. The City recognizes the growing importanceof sustainabiiity,andwe are committedto embracingand institutionalizingthe mechanisms necessary ro makeour communitymore livable and environmentally efficient. We arewell awareof the effortsof citiessuchasChicago, Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C., New York, andPasaden4 which haveembraced sustainabilitythrough numerous initiatives, suchasgreenbuilding standards, high-perfornanceinfrastructure, andenergyauditsand conservation programs, and we look forward to working with the AIA in developinga vision and frameworkfor a more sustainable City of Albany.
Sincerely,

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Gerald D. Jennings Mayor, City of Albany

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AIA Eastern New York

A Chapter of TheAmerican Institute of Architects
November 27.2006 SDAT Program Director, Center for Communities by Design The American Institute of Architects 1735New York Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20006-5292 Dear SDAT Program Review Committee: on behalf of AIA ENY, I am pleasedto offer my support for the City of Albany's application to the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) zooz suJtainable Design AssessmentTeam program. As an AIA component Chapter, we recognizethe growing importaice of sustainability, and-weare committed_toembracing and supporting the mechinis.r-n"""rrury to make our community more livable and environmentally efficient. Currently, as a part of our Chapter's AIAI50 initiative, we are working on the developmentof a master plan for one of the neighborhoodsin the city of Albany. rne Jner program would supplementthe AIA ENy efforts quite nicely. We are well aware of the efforts of cities such as Chicago, Seattle,portland, Washington D.C., New York, and Pasadena, which have embracedsustainlabilitythrough numerous initiatives, such as green building standa-rds, high-performanceinfrastructure, and "nirgy audits and conservation programs' and we look forward to working with the AIA and the City Ii developing a vision and framework for a more sustainableAlbanv. Sincerely,

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2006 AIAEastern New York Executive Committee President: Randolph J. Collins, AIA President. El*t: Francis M. Pitts, AIA V i cefl resi de nt Progn ms : David J.Pacheu, AIA Treasurer: George R.Green, AIA S*retary: Ma*A. Landon, AIA Past President: John Sawna, AIA Board ol Directors: Salvatore Renda, AIA Edmund L.Luzine, AIA Patrick J.Quinn, FAIA AIM,IYS Director: Jeflrey E.Dyer, AIA AIM'IY S AlErnaE Director: John Savona, AIA Executive Assistant Antoinette M.Derado

WtVl,/,1,?
Randolph J. Collins, AIA President,ENY Chapter

265River Street Suite 201 Troy,NewYork12180T: 518720-3030 F: 518720-3031www.aiaeny.org

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2006AfAEastemNewYork Executive Committee President: Randolph J. Collins,AIA President. Elect: Francis M. Pifts, AIA Vice Presi dent Progn ms: David J. Pacheu, AIA Treasuter: George R. Green,AIA S*retary: MarkA. Landon, AIA PastPresident: JohnSawna, AIA Boardof Directors: Salvatore Renda, AIA Edmund L Luzine,AIA PatrickJ. Quinn, FAIA AIM'IYSDircctor: Jeftrey E. Dye4AIA AIMIYS Albrnate Dircctot: JohnSavona, AIA ExecutiveAssistant Antoinefte M.Derado

November27,2006 SDAT Program Director, Center for Communities by Design The American Institute of Architects 1735New York Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20006-5292 Dear SDAT Program Review Committee: On behalf of the Committee on the Environment (COTE), an affiliate of the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) EasternNew York chapter (ENY), I am pleasedto offer my support for the City of Albany's application to the AIA 2007 SustainableDesign AssessmentTeam program. We are a community organization, working to educatethe generafpublic about the rewards of environmental stewardshipin its many forms. As such weiecognize the growing importance of sustainability, and are committed to embracing and supporting the mechanis-r rri""rrury to make our conxnunity more livable and environmentally efficient. The SDAT will help Albany to seeitself from many points of view and the process will engage the community in a way that will, from its very nature, improve the sustainablefuture of this citv. We are well aware of the efforts of cities such as Chicago, Seattle,Portland, Washington D.C., New York, and Pasadena, which have embracedsustainability through numerous iniiiatives, such as green building standards,high-performance infrastructure, and "nirgy audits and conservation programs. We look forward to working further with the AIA and the City in developing a vision and framework for a more sustainableAlbany.

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lol s-it, Anderson, AIA
Chairman,local COTE

265RiverStreet Suite201 Troy,NewYork12180T: 518720-3030 F: 518720-3031www.aiaeny.org

Council Member'13th Ward DANIEL HERRING 4 Faidawn Avenue Albany, NewYork 12203 Telephone: 51843&7527 Fax 518434-5081 e-mail: danherring4T@hotmail.com

Chair Planning, Economic Development & Land Use Vice Chair Finance, Taxation and Assessment Member Council Operationsand Ethics

City of Albany CommonGouncil

November 21,2006 SDAT ProgramDirector, Centerfor Communitiesby Design The American Institute of Architects 1735New York AvenueNW Washington,DC 20006-5292 Dear SDAT ProgramReview Committee: As the Chair of the Albany CommonCouncil Planning,EconomicDevelopment and Land use CommitteeI am please to offer my supportfor the Crty's applicationto the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) 2007 Sustainable DesignAssessment Team Program. We recognizethe growing importanceof sustainability, andwe are committed to embracingand supportingthe mechanisms necessary to makeour communitymore livable and environmentallyefficient. We arealso well awareofthe efforts of cities suchasChicago,Seattle, Portland, WashingtonD,C., New York, andPasadena, which baveembraced sustainabilitythrough numerousinitiativesosuchasgreenbuilding standards, high-performance infrastructure, and energyauditsand conservation programs,andwe look forwardto working with the AIA andthe City in developinga vision and framework for a more sustainable Albany.

Sftcerely,

U"a]<
DanielF. Herring

Council Member 8thWard JOHNROSENZWEIG 19 Mohican Place Albany, NewYork12208 Telephone: 518.{826883 Fax 518.{34-5081 e-mail : RosenzweigS@n1aap.n.com

Vice Chair Economic Planning, Development & LandUse Member Law,Buildings & Code Enforcement Parks, Recreation & Family Services

Gity of Albany CommonGouncil

November 29,2006 SDAT ProgramDirector, Centerfor Communities by Design The AmericanInstitute of Architects 1735New York AvenueNW Washington, D.C. 200A6-5292 Dear SDAT ProgramReview Committee: As Vice Chairmenofthe Albany CommonCouncil's Planning,EconomicDevelopment andI^andUse Committee,I am pleased to offer my supportfor the City of Albany's applicationto the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) 2007 Sustainable Design Assessment TeamProgran. I recognize the growing importancof sustainability, and am committedto embracingand supporting the mechanisms necessary to makeour communitymore livable and environmentally efficient. I am well awareof the efforts of cities suchasChicago,Seattle,Portland Washington D.C., New York, andPasadena, which haveembraced sustainabilitythroughnumerous initiatives, suchas greenbuilding standards, high-performance infrastructure, energy auditsand conservation programs. I look forward to working with the AIA andthe City in developinga vision and frameworkfor a more sustainable Albany. Sincerely, .)

- t /l t t//,t' /,(,1
JohnH. Rosenzweig

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November 28,2006 Program SDAT Director, Center for Communities by Design TheAmerican Institute of Architects 1735 NewYorkAvenue NW Washington, D.C.20006-5292 DearSDAT Program Review Committee: On behalf of 3t architects, we are pleased to offerour support for the Cityof Albany's application to the American Institute of Architects'(AIA) 2007Sustainable Design Assessment TeamProgram. We recognize the growing impoftance of sustainability, andarecommitted to embracing andsupporting the mechanisms necessary to make our community morelivable andenvironmentally efficient. We arewellawareof the effortsof cities suchas Chicago, Seattle, Poftland, Washington D.C., New Yor( andPasadena, whichhaveembraced sustainability through numerous initiatives, such as green building standards, high-peformance infrastructure, programs, andenergy audits andconseruation andwe lookfonruard to working with the AIAandthe Cityin developing a vision andframework for a moresustainable Albany. proudly We've process offered our support andassistance through the application andareeager to lendour expeftise process. to the assessment andimplementation

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Department of Geography andPlanning Universityat Albany, SUNY 1400Washington Avenue Albany,New York 12222 November 27,2006 SDAT Program Director,Centerfor Communities by Design The AmericanInstitute of Architects 1735New York AvenueNW Washington, D.C. 20006-5292 DearSDAT Program ReviewCommittee: I wish to express to you my strongsupportfor the City of Albany's application to the AmericanInstituteof Architects'(AIA) 2007Sustainable DesignAssessment Team Program.TheUniversityat Albany's Masters degree programin urbanplanning recognizes the importance of movingtowarda moresustainable pattern;f development in-NewYork's CapitalDistrict region,andis committed to working with the Citaof Albany and otherentitiesto take the stepsnecessary to makeour commurritymorelivable andenvironmentally effrcient. In our graduate andundergraduate courses, we makestudents awareof the efForts of citiessuchasChicago, Chattanooga, Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C., andpasaden4 which haveembraced sustainabilitythroughnumerous initiativis, suchasgreenbuilding standards, high-performance infrastructure,energyauditsand conservation programs.In the same spirit, facultyandsfudents in our program arein the process of developing plans to makethe UAlbany Uptown campusmorepedestrian andtransit-friendly,andto establish a busrapid transit line connecting the Uptown UAlbany campusto downtown Albany andintermediate destinations.We look forwardto working with the AIA andthe city in developing a vision andframeworkfor a moresustainable Atburrv. Sincerely, Via email Gene Bunnell, Ph.D.,AICP Associate Professor

Albany Housin Authori

StevenT. Longo. ExecutiveDirector Bary J. Romano - Deputy Director

November 21,2006 SDAT ProgramDirector, Centerfor Communities by Design The AmericanInstitute of Architects 1735New York AvenueNW -5292 Washington, D.C. 20006 DearSDAT Program ReviewCommittee: On behalf of the Albany HousingAuthority, I am pleased to offer my supportfor the City of Albany's applicationto the American Institute of Architects' tAfal ibOZ Sustainafte Design AssessmentTeam Program. AHA recognizes the growing importance of -the sustainability, and we are committed to embraclng and zupporti"g mechanisms necessary to makeour communitymore livable andenvironmentally efficient. We arewell awareof the efforts of cities suchas Chicago,Seattle,portland, Washington D.C., New' York, and Pasadena, which have embraced sustainabilitythrough nu*..io* initiatives, suchas greenbuilding standards, high-performance infrastructure-, and enerry auditsand conservation programs,and we look forward to working with the AIA and the city in developinga vision andframeworkfor a more sustainabte etbany. Sincerely, ALBANY HOUSINGAUTHOzuTY

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DarrenJ. Scott,AICP

200 s. Pearlst.,Albanyo Newyork 12202(51s) 64r-7s00

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OLOGY PARK

November 21,2006 SDAT Program Director,Center for Communities by Design The AmericanInstituteof Architects 1735New York AvenueNW Washington, D.C. 20006-5292 Dear SDAT Program Review. Committee : On behalfof HanimanResearch andTechnology Development corporation(HRTDC),we arepleased to offer our supportfor the city of Albany's application to the AmericanInstituteof Architects'(AIA) 2007 Sustainable DesignAssessment TeamProgram.HRTDC recognizes the growingimportance of sustainability, andwe are committedto embracing andsupporting the mechanisms necessary to makeour communitymorelivableandenvironmentally effrcient. FIRTDCis a subsidiary of EmpireStateDevelopment Corporation (ESDC)responsible for the redevelopment of the 300-acre W.A. Ha:rimanStateOffice Campus into a world-class research and technology park to promoteeconomic development andjob growthin New York's CapitalRegion. We arewell awareof the effortsof citiessuchasChicago, Seattle, Portland,Washington D.C.,New York, andPasadena, which have embraced sustainability throughilrmerousinitiatives,suchasgreen building standards, high-performance infrastructure,and energyaudits andconservation programs, andwe look forwardto working with the AIA andthe City in developing a vision andframeworkfor a more sustainable Albanv.

George E. Pataki, Governor J o h nC . E g a n , Chairman F .M i c h a e l T u c k e rP , resident Ex-0ffiiioBoard Menbers Charles A. Gargano G e r a lD d .J e n n i n g s Danie D l .H o g a n K e r mL i t.H a l lP , h.D. Board Menbers Maureen F.Harris, Esq. Daniel J. Hogarty Alain E .K a l o y e r P os h,. D . Kelly Lovell

F. Michael Tucker President HarrimanRes earchandTechnolo gy Development Corporation

Omni Ifousing Development LLC 4O Beaver york

Street, Albany, New 12207 . tEIg) 452.4O0O fax: (5lB) 4SZAS45 . www.omnihousing.com

Nove,mber 27,2W6 SDAT ProgramDirector, Centerfor Communitiesby Design The American Institute of Architects 1735New York Ave,lrue NW Washington,D.C. 2OW6-5292 Dear SDAT ProgramReview Committee: on behalf of omni HousingDevelopme,nt LLC, I am pleased to offer my supportfor the city of Albany's applicationto the AmericanInstitutsof Architects, (eia) iooz Sustainable TeamProgram. Omni Housingreoognizes Desigr Assessment the growing irnportanceof sustainability,md we are committedto enrbraciig and supportin! the mechanisrns necessary to makeour communitymore livable and'environunentafiy efficient. We are well awareof the efforts of cities suchas Chicago,Seattle,portland, Washington D.C., New Yortq andPasaden4 which have embraced sustainabititytrrougir oo*ooiu, initiatives, suchas greenbuilding standards, high-performance infrastructrire,and e,nerry auditsand conservation programs,andwe look fonrard to working with the itA, unAA" city in developinga vision andframeworkfor a more sustainable Albanv.

Duncan

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Novcmbcr 27,2006

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Progrum Dircctor,Center for Comn:unities by Dcsign .S*DAI 'fhe American Institute of Architects 173-5 New York Avenue NW Washington, D.C. ZCf,f,l1-S}gz DearSDAT Progrnnr RavicwCommittee: on behalf of thc Larkstreet Business Inrprovcnrcnt District, I unrplclr,r.rl to rrl'lcr.rrrr. ' City ol'Albany's applicution to theAmericun ,rt'Are Instirutr., trirc'.irrl lYtq?tllthe {AIA) 2007susrninabre. Design Aiiessmenr Td; p;g;i;;, Thc r-lrk srrr,g gtt.) rccognizcs thc importancc of-.rustainability andis .o*iniit*t'tto thc prirrcilrlt'. 'l'..irt.iirl !'quity, cnvironmcntal rcspcct andeconomic.strcngth ir;;; support .,i of rhcc,,.,t,iti,,,,, ourcommunity. Wc areilwanc of thecffortsof cities porrllrttl. .such m Chicago, $euttlc, \\i.rs5ilutt,,rr l).(. Ond New York,lo ernbrace sustainability, through irmerousinitiutivcs. sr,r,,jtr ir\ srr.r.r'l bttilding standilrd$. high-pcrformance irrfiostruclur*, (.{rr.r\r,i-r.irri,,rl unoan*,.gy uudits 1r.r(l -Ciry progritm$'We lookfoyard to workiirg withtheaiA :rnd the' ot'.,\lt.:rn1, irr dcvcloping n visionundframcwork for a morcsustninahlc Alhanycrlrrrr'urrii_r,.

Sincerely,

FrcddBrewcr Lurk Strect BID 245 l*rk Srreer Albnny, NY l?ZtO

Larh Stroer Neighhorhoort Dislrict Mrnr0omont As8ocirtion r 245 Lnrk Strootr Albany, No.w !1;rkr??10 phonc 5l8,4i4.Ji6l r f6s il8.{31.4052 r E.rnlllwww.lorkstreet.org

D O W N T O WA i lt B A i l Y
522 Broadway Albany,NY 122A7 p 518.465.2143 f 518.465.0139 www. downtownal bany. org Pamela M. Tobin

B u s i n e s ls mprovemen Dti s t r i c t

27 November 2005 SDATProgram Director Center for Communities by Design TheAmerican lnstituteof Architects 1735New YorkAvenue NW Washington, D.C. 2W6-5292 DearSDAT Program ReviewCommittee: On behalfof the Downtown AtbanyBusiness lmprovement DistrictBoardof Directors, I am pleased to offer our supportfor the City of Albany'sapplication to the American lnstituteof Architects' (AlA) 2007 Sustainable Design Assessment Team Program.The DoruntownAlbanyBID recognizes the gror,ving importance of sustainability, andwe arecommitted to embracing and supporting the mechanisms necessary to makeour community morelivable andenvironmentally efficient, The SDAT programis based on a similarpremises of the Business lmprovement District wherebypartnerships areforgedwith stakehotders and communityleaders to advance the visionfor a sustainable 24/7 community.We are curently in the procetiof workingwith a consultant in conjunction with AlbanyConvention Center Authorityto assist in shaping the community's stratqg-y to dwelop economic generators linking the ns,ry convention centerwith the existing dourntownfabric thusidentifying opportunities to increase sustainability. We arewell awareof the effortsof citiessuch asChicago, Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C.,NeurYork, and Pasadena, which haveembraced sustainability throughnumerous initiatives, such asgreenbuilding standards, high-performance infrastructur, and energyauditsand conservation programs, and we look forward to workingwith the AIA and the City in dweloping a visionand frameworkfor a more sustainable Albany. The DowntownAlbanyBIDstrongly supports Cityof Albany's apptication to the American lnstitute (AlA) 2OO7 of Architects' Sustainable Design Assessment Team Program.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tom Birdsey
CHAIRMAN

Charles Carrow
VICEHAIRMAN

TREASURER
SECRETARY

Lauretta Chrys

TracyMeEger

amblaTdbin
y'Executive Director
f

entna

u$ness

November 28,2006 SDAT ProgramDirector, Centerfor Communitiesby Design The American Institute of Architects 1735New York AvenueNW Washington,D.C. 20006-5292 Dear SDAT ProgramReview Committee: On behalf of The Central District ManagementAssociation, Inc. (the Central Avenue Business Improvement DistricQ, I am pleased to offer olr support for the City of Albany's application to the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) 2007 Sustainable DesignAssessment TeamProgram. The CDMA, Inc. recognizes the growing importance of sustainability, and has been committed to and has embracedand supportedthe mechanismsnecessaryto make our community more livable and environmentally efficient. We are well awareof the efforts of cities suchas Chicago,Seattle,Portland,Washington D.C., New York, and Pasadena, which have embracedsustainabilitythrough numerous initiatives, suchas greenbuilding standards, high-perfonnance infrastructure, and energy auditsand conservation programs,and we look forward to working with the AIA and the city in developinga vision and frameworkfor a more sustainable Albanv.

Executive Director CentralDistrict Management Association,Inc.

176Central Avenue, Albany, New York '12206- Phone:518-462-43Oo . Fax:518-462-2609 . www.centralbid.com

"Making Central Albany a Better place to Live, Work & Visit"

ALBANY

P p r s E R v EC o l u u t s s r o N

CouMrssror{ MeMsens . Steven G. Schassler Regional Director NYS Departmentof Environmental Conservation BernadetteCastro Commissioner NYS Officeof Park, Recreation and Historic Preseruation Andy Been DeputyDirector jlhe NatureConservancl 0f NewYork Stale Jerry.Jennings Mayor City of Albany MaryE. Brizzell Supenisor Townof Colonie Ken Runion Superisor TownofGuilderland Michael G. Breslin CountyExecut.ive Countyof Albany HarveyJayAlexander, Ph.D. CitizenRepresentative Steven Rice,Ph.D. CitizenRepresentative AaronMair CitizenRepresentative JohnBrut CorporateLiaison Christopher A. Hawer ExEcurrvE DrREcroR

November 22.2006

SDAT Progra4 Director,Centerfor Communities by Design Thb Americaninstituteof Architects 1735 New York Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20006-5292 DearSDAT ProgramReviewCommittee: On behalfof,theAlbany PineBushPreserve Commission, I ampleased to offer my supportfor the City of Albany's applicationto the AmericanInstituteof Architects2 (AIA) 2007Sustainable DesignAssessment TeamProgram.The commission recognizes growing the importanceof sustainability,andwe are committedto embracingand supportingthe mechanisms necessaryto makeour communitymore livable and environmentallyefficient. we arewell awareof the efforts of cities suchaschicago, seattle,Poitland, Washington D.C.,New York, andPasadena, which haveembraced sustainabiljty throughnumerousinitiatives, suchasgreenbuilding standards, high-performance infrastructure,and energyauditsand conservation programs, andwe look forward to working with the AIA and the City in developinga vision andfraqework for a more sustainable Albany.
Sincerely,
'*l{i

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W I J r I 7A . L B A N Y P I N E B U SH . , OP G Paper f; 100%Recycled

CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

One Park Place, Main Floor o Albany, NY 12205-2676 www.cdtcmpo.org e-mail : cdtc @ cdtcmpo-org

Phone:(518) 458-2161 Fax: (518)459-2155

Chairman Malor John T, McDonald III StaffDirector fohn P. Poomun Albany County Mi.chaelG. Breslin Charbs E. Eoughtaling RenssclaerCounty I(ahlcen Jimino Neil J, Kelleher Saratoga County Harrl Gutheil RobertL Phillips SchenectadyCounty Sumn E. Savage Kent Gray City of Albany MalorGeraU D. Jennings City of Cohoes Malor John T. McDonaU III City of Mechanicville Major Anthon! I. Sylvester City ofRensselaer Mayor Daniel J. Dvyer City of Sarotoga Springs MayorValerie Keehn City ofSchenectady Moyor Brian U, Stattort City of Troy Mayor Hatry J. Tutunjian City of Wetervliet Mayor RobertD. Cadson Town ofColonie Mary BrizzeU Towns and Villages There sa Egan" Bethlchem Beth Senr, Schodaek Alternats Phifu Barrefr, Cli{ton Park Albany Cormty Airport Authority John O'Donnell Albany Port District Conmission TenenceP. Hurlcy Capital District Regional Planning Commission Michael Statnmel Capital District Transportation Authority RaymondJ. Melleady New York State DepL of Transportation Thomasf. Madison, Jr. New York State Thruway Authority WillianD.NnaHi Non-Voting Members ThomasC. Wemcr NYSDOTReg. 1 IztitiaThompson, FTA RobertE. ArnoW, FHWA

November 28,

2006

SDAT Program Director, center for communities The American Institute of Architects l-735 New York Avenue NW Washingt,on, D. C. 20OO 6-5292 Dear SDAT Program Review Committee:

by Design

The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) is the planning Organization designated Metropolitan (MpO)carrying out federal reguirements for cooperative transportation planning and programming in Albany, Rensselaer, saratoga and Schenectady Counties in New york State. CDTC is pleased to offer support for the City of Albany, s application to the Amerj-can rnstitute (ArA) of Architects, program. 2007 Sust,ainable Design Assessment Team CDTC recognizes the growing importance of sustainability, and is committed to embracing and supporting the mechanisms necessary to help shape communities into more livabte and environmentally places. eff icient we are werl aware of the efforts of cities such as chicago, Seat.t1e, Portland, Washington D.C., New york, and pasadena, which have embraced sustainability through numerous initiatives, such as green building standards, highperformance infrastrucLure, energiy audits and conservation programs, and look forward to working with the ArA and the City in developing a vision and framework for a more sustainable Albanv.

Staff

Poorman Director