Reimagine Albany Welcomes $400 Million Investment in Albany’s Revitalization
Coalition calls on Governor Hochul to ensure focus on equity and justice
Albany (January 14)- The Reimagine Albany team of community based organizations applauds Governor Hochul’s announcement of a $400 million investment to revitalize New York’s capital, including $200 million to reinvigorate downtown Albany and $35 million for the next phase of planning for I-787. This commitment creates an opportunity to address long standing challenges in Albany while fostering growth and environmental justice.
The investment of $35 million allocated for planning the fate of Interstate 787, which has for decades displaced and disconnected Albany residents from the riverfront and isolated communities in North Albany and the South End.
The Reimagine Albany coalition, led by Albany Riverfront Collaborative, Arbor Hill Development Corporation, AVillage, Capital Area Urban League, Clean+Healthy, NAACP Albany Chapter, and Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, has been building community understanding and working for a reversal of the harm done in the construction of I-787 and the Empire State Plaza, recognizes this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the waterfront in ways that center the needs of historically red-lined neighborhoods while creating city infrastructure that makes it a welcoming and thriving area for all.
“Albany’s South End is a vibrant, resilient community that has long been overlooked in the city’s broader development plans. Revitalization must prioritize the voices, needs, and aspirations of our residents—those who have borne the brunt of historic disinvestment and continue to navigate the lasting effects of systemic oppression,” said Eva Bass, AVillage Executive Director. “We look forward to engaging in the Governor’s comprehensive community engagement process to ensure that these historic investments are equitably distributed, rooted in justice, and aligned with the lived experiences of Albany’s most underserved neighborhoods.”
The decisions made by the NYS Department of Transportation through the study has the potential to advance solutions to problems that perpetually reduce residents’ quality of life such as: reconnecting communities, reducing pollution, and promoting a healthy environment for all to live.
This proposed $400M state investment in the city comes at a time when community organizations have been successful in attracting federal dollars:
In 2024, the US Department of Transportation awarded funds to the Reimagine Albany coalition via Clean+Healthy to support community engagement and developing a clear vision for the I-787 corridor centered on the needs and views of those who live adjacent to it and are impacted by its traffic and air pollution.
In December 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it had selected Albany organizations for a $20 million grant for the ALL(bany) Together—Climate and Health Resilience Equity Project spearheaded Trinity alliance of the Capital Region and including Clean+Healthy, Affordable Housing Project, Arbor Hill Development Corporation, AVillage, Capital Area Urban League, Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, and Underground Railroad Education Center.
"Trinity Alliance welcomes measures to rehabilitate and revitalize Albany in an effort to realize its full potential—so long as it doesn't come at the expense of its most vulnerable residents," said Harris Oberlander, CEO of the nonprofit Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region.
The multifaceted ALL(bany) Together project will focus on rebuilding downtown Albany including:
Creating climate resilience emergency centers at Trinity Alliance in the South End and Underground Railroad Education Center in Arbor Hill;
Improving indoor air quality and increasing home improvements by removing toxics like asbestos and mold and preparing for and/or installing clean energy solutions that will support residents with both heating and cooling, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels;
Advancing environmental health and injustice in areas that have been historically disadvantaged;
Increasing clean energy workforce development and job placement opportunities;
Creating healthy and just urban ecosystems by planting 200+ trees;
Expanding home collections of compostables in disadvantaged communities; and
Engaging the community in co-creating its vision of a healthy, thriving, climate-resilient city of Albany.
“We thank Governor Hochul for recognizing the need to center community engagement. We hope she fully embraces her responsibility to ensure her significant financial investments in Albany infrastructure prioritize community voices and needs to create a more inclusive and sustainable capital city,” said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean+Healthy. “Reimagine Albany urges the $200 million allocated for downtown projects to focus on engaging communities to ensure planning reflects residents’ needs and visions, provide affordable housing and anti-displacement measures to protect existing neighborhoods, ensure equitable benefits, promote environmental sustainability to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and support overall public health.”
“We hope Governor Hochul turns to community voices in Albany and the Capital Region for how projects are chosen and prioritized. When community voices are centered, transformative infrastructure projects, like the redevelopment of I-787, can lead to an inclusive sustainable city where residents’ are not displaced but communities are revitalized and everyone can thrive,” said April Land, Capital Area Urban League President/CEO.
This is an important moment for the city of Albany as its downtown can become reimagined once again to a vibrant place for all. The Reimagine Albany Coalition is committed to collaborating with leaders, organizations, and community members to make this vision a reality. This project will not only benefit New York State’s capital, but set a standard for urban development across the country.
Eva Bass, Executive Director of AVillage, issued these remarks:
“As a community advocacy organization deeply rooted in Albany’s South End and intersectional neighborhoods historically affected by redlining, disenfranchisement, and systemic disinvestment, AVillage Inc. commends Governor Hochul’s recognition of Albany’s unique position as our state’s capital and the importance of investing in its revitalization.
“The proposed $400 million investment, combined with plans to reimagine Interstate-787 and reconnect neighborhoods long divided by harmful infrastructure, marks a critical opportunity to address decades of inequity and neglect. However, to truly transform Albany, we must ensure that this investment reaches the neighborhoods and people who need it most.
“Albany’s South End is a vibrant, resilient community that has long been overlooked in the city’s broader development plans. Revitalization must prioritize the voices, needs, and aspirations of our residents—those who have borne the brunt of historic disinvestment and continue to navigate the lasting effects of systemic oppression.
“We look forward to engaging in the Governor’s comprehensive community engagement process to ensure that these historic investments are equitably distributed, rooted in justice, and aligned with the lived experiences of Albany’s most underserved neighborhoods.
“The time for change is now, and AVillage Inc. stands ready to work alongside the Governor, local leaders, and community members to build a more equitable and inclusive Albany.”
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