When I first read about Capital District Physicians' Health Plan's possible relocation to the former site of the Albany Convention Center project, I thought, does this area need "hundreds more suburban workers who simply go home each night?"
Then I realized what a great opportunity this could be to build an exciting "New Urban Communities" village with a broad range of housing opportunities and incomes, some neighborhood businesses and a real community.
Recent polls indicate that younger workers are shunning the difficult suburban commute in favor of living close to where they work. They also appreciate the multicultural and vibrant atmosphere offered by "New Urban Communities."
It's time to get downtown Albany back to being a real community.
Charles Touhey
Touhey Homeownership Foundation
Albany