Amore Clothing has been on State Street in Albany since 1967. As I look out my storefront, I can tell you that we are more and more alone in the retail existence of downtown Albany. Recent residential development has come, but is too sporadic. Modestly speaking, I know what downtown needs to be alive 365 days a year. It's not a mostly empty, taxpayer-funded convention center.
The misguided talk of an Albany Convention Center, ongoing officially since the inception of the authority in 2004, has kept potential developers from proposing more viable solutions for the prime real estate in that vast, empty corridor.
For a true 24-hour, vibrant downtown, we should consider a "Live, Work and Play" complex, similar to Atlantic Station near Atlanta. National and independent retailers, supermarkets, pharmacies, movie theaters, hotels, apartments, condominiums, town homes, restaurants and parking garages all are connected in this community.
Incorporating the Hudson River, this is a beautiful concept that I believe would make downtown a destination to live in, especially for our young professionals enjoying the fine colleges and universities in the Capital Region. These young professionals need a reason to feel excited about staying here. Visiting Atlantic Station, I saw empty-nesters equally comfortable in this secure, friendly environment. Developers know this is the best solution.
The politically stalled convention center needs to be put in the past. The "Live, Work and Play" concept is proven and should be considered here.
ROB AMORE
Amore Clothing, Albany
