Albany’s real crisis isn’t crime—it’s the daily decay

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Healing starts with conversation—and listening. Today, we’re sitting down with New Scotland Spirits’ Jesse Sommer for some bourbon and bracing talk about the future of Albany, in light of the violence and chaos that erupted on July 4th. Jesse may be outspoken and even brash, but he cares deeply about this city. Our conversation is worth a read.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Albany’s real crisis isn’t crime—it’s the daily decay

Days after the violent chaos surrounding the Fourth of July in Albany, we sat down for a candid conversation with Jesse Sommer, founder and co-owner of New Scotland Spirits. We wanted to chat with Jesse not only because he lives and runs a business in the city, but he’s also put a lot of thought into ideas for transforming Albany (read his 6 Pillars for Rejuvenating Albany).

The following is an edited version of our talk over bourbon and Old Fashioneds at the New Scotland Tasting Room on Lark Street:

What was your reaction to the violence and chaos on July 4th?

The first thing I felt was horror. It looked and sounded like a war zone in the middle of Albany (see the footage from APD). That was obviously unsettling, but the bigger issue is that it undermines the idea that crime is down in the city of Albany. So this narrative gets pushed out to the rest of the Capital Region that Albany is a violent city and people should avoid it.

What’s the reality?

People do not get shot in Albany a lot. There are 100,000+ people here and 20-something people are shot each year. Shootings are actually down 50% this year compared to 2024.

I know you’ve said before that it’s the “lived experience” that needs cleaning up, not necessarily the gun violence. Can you talk about that?

My day-to-day isn’t shootings. It’s the abundance of abandoned buildings with large Xs on them. It’s watching people outside these bay windows shooting up in broad daylight. It’s the aggressive panhandling that I have to negotiate every day when I walk from my house to the Tasting Room on Lark Street. All of this is an invisible tax on the people who live here. It’s the reality on the ground that’s driving businesses and people away.

How do you solve this problem, which seems entrenched in the fabric of the city?

I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but one of our biggest priorities should be to take all of these abandoned buildings and turn them into low-income housing and put people on a path to homeownership. Create manageable spaces where we can bring in the unhoused and give them the services that they need. As much as I love this idea of the “street psychiatrists” that everyone’s celebrating, it won’t work; you’re not going to be able to help them while they’re on the street. We also need a public works effort to give young people more jobs.

I’ve said before that we need a “revitalization czar,” someone who can coordinate between the state, the mayor’s office, the city and the county, Capitalize Albany, etc., and make targeted changes.

What are your thoughts on the governor’s $400 million plan to revitalize downtown Albany?

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But we should not be spending $150 million on the State Museum. Yes, it needs to be renovated, but it already attracts visitors. You could probably get the same results with a good marketing campaign and giving it a deep cleaning. Out of this $400 million, $1.5 million is going to the Albany Police Department, which is critically understaffed, and $150 million is going to the museum. That is a 100x differential in funding for the people who are responsible for making the area around the museum safe. Also, we should not be spending a dime on a soccer stadium—for the 5th most popular sport in the state.

What are we missing in the efforts to revitalize Albany?

I rarely encounter people who are cheerleaders for this city, which is crazy because we have so many amazing assets. I’ve said before that Albany’s historical legacy—its political myths and machinations, its architectural traditions—is its single greatest asset. The Erie Canal ends in Albany, but you wouldn’t know it. Albany used to be one of the great centers for beer making. We need to rediscover the “Albany story.” You look across to Schenectady and Troy, and see what they’ve done to celebrate their cities. They’re thriving. We can do the same.

👮 Albany Police say they have made several arrests in connection with the shootings after the July 4th fireworks show at the Empire State Plaza. Of the four people shot, three are expected to recover, but the 17-year-old who was shot in the head remains in critical condition. [Times Union]

🔫 Meanwhile, lawmakers are looking to crack down on the use of flare guns. A fight involving a flare gun was believed to be the catalyst for the July 4th violence, which has shaken up locals.

💰️New Yorkers can expect to receive their inflation refund checks this October. Married couples can get up to $400 and other taxpayers can get up to $200 each. Read this story to find out who qualifies and how to update your address, if necessary. [News10]

🚧 A judge’s ruling has cleared the way for the demolition of Albany’s Central Warehouse. Let’s get to it, folks. [Times Union]

👞 In case you missed it, the TSA will no longer require you to remove your shoes before going through airport security. Can we get an amen?! [WAMC]

⭐️ Touted as the Capital Region’s biggest summer block party, Schenectady County SummerNight features two tribute bands this year: The Lords of 52nd Street (Billy Joel) and Philadelphia Freedom (Elton John). Sydney Worthley and Local 11 are also on the bill. Expect a huge crowd, and don’t miss the KidZone and sand sculptures. Fri, 5–10p, free.

⭐️ It’s the dog days of summer. Get the kiddos off their screens at the free MVP Kids Day at the Empire State Plaza’s West Capitol Park. Sat, 11a–4p, free. 🎆 The 48th Annual Mechanicville Family Day in the Park is full day of outdoor fun for the kids, plus it caps off with a fireworks show. Sat, 8a–9:30p, free.

⭐️ Featuring some of the best alternative creators in the Capital Region and beyond, the Albany Twilight Market is always a worthwhile browsing experience. While you’re there, slip into Common Roots Albany Outpost for a delicious draft IPA and tasty pizza. Pro tip: Common Roots now offers $1 validated parking per hour. Sat, 5–9p, free.

⭐️ Stockade-apoolza is a new music festival happening at the iconic Van Dyck Music Club in Schenectady’s historic Stockade district. Starting today, this free fest features 12 live acts over four Thursdays in July and August. Each night, the event ends with a Bootleg Karaoke Afterparty starting around 9:30p. Thur, starts at 4:30p, free.

⭐️ Back in February, we called out the Book Hive as one of the 5 things we’re loving about the Capital Region. Tonight, they’re setting up shop at the Wolf Hollow Brewing Company in Schenectady for their Grown Up Book Fair. Grab some great reading material to go with your 🍺. Thur, 5–8p, free.

Honorable mention this week…

⭐️ Frequency + Flow at the Larkin Hi-Fi brings together poetry, jazz, soul music, and the memorable remixes that have incorporated them into songs. All set in the coolest little record / cocktail bar in the Capital Region. Sat, 7p–midnight, $20 at the door.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🏠️ Summer Sunday Stroll: “Mail Order Houses of Saratoga” This week’s Saratoga Spring Preservation Society stroll is going back to the “Kit House” era—a time when the average person could order an entire house through the mail. Fascinating.

🎭️ The Little Mermaid continues at the Cohoes Music Hall through Aug. 17.

🩰 It’s Ballet Week at SPAC, with Coppélia and Robbins, Balanchine & Peck on the evening program at the Amphitheater.

🚂 Catskill Mountain Railroad begins their interactive shows this weekend, celebrating the legend of the Great Train Robbery for younger children and adults.

🏡 The serene gardens at Yaddo, the celebrated retreat for artists and writers in Saratoga, are now open for public viewing. The self-guided tours are free.

👕 The Basilica Farm & Flea Summer Market in Hudson this weekend is worth the drive. Also, the Chatham SummerFest is a great excuse to visit this HV gem.

TONIGHT

🎛️ No Fun goes all nostalgic at its 90s Rave Night featuring HONEY Collective: Showcasing Femme DJs in the 518.

🐎 It’s Opening Weekend at the Saratoga Race Course for the 2025 summer season.

FRIDAY

📚️ Get free books for ages 3-18 at the Troy Library Book Giveaway.

🎸 Relive the British invasion at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts “Brit Beat.”

🎭️ theREP raises the curtain on “Once,” the delightful musical about an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant who connect over their shared passion for music on the streets of Dublin. Through Aug. 10.

🔬The NYS Museum offers a rare behind-the-scenes tour of its Ichthyology Lab. Ichthyology is the study of fish, of course 🐠 😂 

SATURDAY

🎸 The summer concert season is heating up. Troy’s Powers Park Concert Series kicks off with a dance party by The Refrigerators, while Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra return to Scotia’s Freedom Park. And The Schmooze headline Schenectady’s Bands on Broadway.

Also, Chicago’s eclectic rock band Umphrey’s McGee headlines the Rock The Dock Music Festival 2025 in Lake George. Also featuring Pink Talking Fish, Wild Adriatic and more.

🐶 Want a custom painting of your furry best friend? Get to the Saratoga Springs Public Library for Pawcasso in the Park.

🧪 The Eldridge Research Center at the Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville hosts its Annual Science Symposium, focusing on community science and participatory projects.

SUNDAY

🏳️‍🌈 A Big Gay Market makes its return to Washington Park (Knox Street Mall) on Sunday.

🎸 Schenectady’s Music Haven concert series kicks off with Red Baraat, a very fun party band.

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