📣 The hidden gems of Rensselaer: An insider's guide to Albany's overlooked adjacent city

Today in The 518

• The best spots in Rensselaer, Albany’s often overlooked adjacent city

• Capital Region resident describes near-assassination scene at Trump rally

• A 38-acre Altamont property is our Home of the Week

• Plus, music listings for the entire Capital Region

Despite having the 9th busiest Amtrak station in the country, the city of Rensselaer remains something of a hideaway.

Named for the historic Van Rensselaer family, this 3.3 square mile urban patch on the east side of the Hudson contains just 9,210 residents (as of the 2020 Census). But it packs a punch above its weight—and its profile is about to get even bigger.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that construction has begun on a $634.8 million project to replace the Livingston Avenue Rail Bridge, the Civil War-era structure that connects Albany and Rensselaer. By 2028, a modern seven-span, lift-type bridge will allow for heavier freight train loads, as well as two passenger trains at the same time.

The project will also create a separate, much-needed path for pedestrians and cyclists across the river, with easy connections to the Albany Skyway, the Empire State Trail, and the future Rensselaer Riverwalk.

There are other exciting projects in the works. Among them is a $14 million proposal to build a 100-room hotel next to the Amtrak station, which would include a restaurant formed from two retrofitted Pullman dining rail cars.

We asked our Reddit friends to tell us what’s so great about Rensselaer right now. A bunch of you mentioned the ability to live adjacent to Albany—but not in it—while enjoying the views of the city skyline and a more residential community. Like us, you feel like the city is a bit “stuck in the past” but “has so much untapped potential.”

“The Rensselaer side of the river is the hidden gem of the Capital District,” wrote Redditor Taracer89. “The main attraction for me has been living right next to Albany, and close to Troy, but having a totally relaxed feeling at home.”

“Rensselaer is rising!!” said Redditor CmonJeffGetEm. “First of all, it’s [a] relatively affordable waterfront compared to Albany and Troy and full of unique old architecture.”

Many of you pointed out the interesting food scene, the playgrounds, and Fort Crailo, a historic site with a museum that’s also a pleasant place for a riverfront picnic. Among the notable mentions from the Reddit thread:

• Shwe Burmese Restaurant, a homey family-run restaurant with affordable food. The tea leaf salad gets raves!

• Son of Egg, a fast-casual Korean spot that’s great for grabbing a quick bite before catching your train. Don’t miss the crispy chicken sandwich.

• Hot Dog Charlies, part of a local chain known for its mini hot dogs

• Skyline Diner, your classic diner with friendly staff and breakfast all day

• Illusive, a neighborhood restaurant & bar known for delicious burgers, crab cakes and wings

• Thai Orchid, a hidden gem of a restaurant with good prices and friendly people

• Stage One Dispensary, which gets raves for its knowledgeable staff and decent prices

• Red Mill Falls, a relatively unknown waterfall that offers a terrific view of the Albany skyline across the river

Rensselaer’s restaurant scene has the potential to rival Albany’s warehouse district. And if urban planners maximized the waterfront more than what’s being done today, the city could be the Capital Region’s next not-so-hidden hotspot.

Btw, tonight is a great time to check out Rens—Standard Edition headlines the Rensselaer City Concert Series at Riverfront Park, starting at 6 pm.

"In summer, the song sings itself." ―William Carlos Williams

It’s gonna be a scorcher this week, with a heat advisory through 8 pm Tuesday. Stay cool, friends.

Capital Region resident describes chaotic shooting scene at Trump rally

Gloversville resident Aaron Gaza walked away unharmed from the Donald Trump rally in Butler, PA, where a shooter tried to assassinate the former president and a spectator was killed. But he has a story to tell for the ages. Gaza described the scene as one of shock and terror… “the screams, the horror of people just screaming.” CBS Albany has his full account of this historic event.

Central Warehouse to be ‘gone by next year’

With a $10 million grant from the state, the city of Albany is taking the biggest step yet in its decades-long effort to demolish the notorious eyesore. LFG! 💪 More at CBS Albany.

Race to save historic lighthouse on the Hudson

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, a 150-year-old structure in the middle of the Hudson River, is at risk of collapsing due to deteriorating wooden pilings. Listed as one of America’s most endangered historic places, the lighthouse needs $10 million in foundational work to protect its 200 wood pilings from modern ship turbulence. More at Spectrum News.

Capital Region restaurant roundup

Known for its massive, 28-inch “Tommy Boy” pie, Pops Pizza in Cohoes is closing after 14 years in business. New Scotland Spirits has opened a new tasting room on Lark Street with a Prohibition-era theme. The Littles Play Café in Delmar is attracting parents grateful for a place to chill out while the kiddies busy themselves in its sandbox. Occupying the former Son of Egg eatery in Albany, Daisies Pasteles is the place for decadent birthday cakes, pan dulce and even weekend tamales! And Mystic Momo is introducing Nepali cuisine to the Capital Region.

Does Albany need a new city flag?

It does indeed, according to our reader poll last week. You voted overwhelming (86%) in favor of the effort to improve Albany’s century-old flag. One reader put it best (maybe): “Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse all have cool flags with fantastic iconography. Albany needs to utilize the tulip in theirs, while still incorporating blue and orange. Alternatively, a clip art picture of mozzarella sticks with Melba works just as well.” But this reader thinks the flag is just fine: “Keep it. I don’t think people see it as a white supremacy flag. Those exist in the area and they are very different.”

Surprisingly, quite a few of you expressed an interest in joining the city’s task force to find a new flag. You can still apply here.