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📣 Remaking Albany's riverfront from bad to bustling

📣 Remaking Albany's riverfront from bad to bustling

Plus, Top 5 Weekend Picks & top deals & discounts

Phat Chiem
May 29, 2024

Happy Hump Day, Capital District! Today, we’re looking at how to transform I-787’s waste of space into a thriving riverfront. Plus, Manhattanhenge lights up NYC, Top Weekend Picks, best deals & discounts, and more.

Let’s 🐇 to it.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

In Partnership With

Today in The 518

How to turn Albany’s I-787 disaster into a thriving riverfront
Dynamic pricing leads to insane tickets for Saratoga Jazz Fest
Top 5 Weekend Picks and the District’s best deals & discounts

📣 TALK OF THE TOWN

Albany’s riverfront could look something like this!

Remaking Albany's riverfront from beleaguered to bustling

Highways eat cities and destroy neighborhoods.

That’s the great urban planning lesson that cities from Rochester to Buffalo to New Orleans have realized. They have all pursued highway removal to make way for urban renewal.

Albany is one of these cities trying to undo damage decades in the making. Earlier this month, the state DOT unveiled eight major ideas for reimagining I-787, a bad highway if there ever was one. The multi-billion-dollar ideas include replacing the disastrous freeway with a lower-speed, two-way urban boulevard with bicycle and pedestrian access, and a lovely planted median. Sounds downright charming.

Of course, the devil is in the details. If you’re keen on participating in the public discussion, the Albany Riverfront Collaborative is meeting this Thursday to:

Consider the DOT’s ideas in a brief, friendly, digestible way
Provide tools so everyone can evaluate the options objectively
Begin the long community conversation so the outcomes we all seek start coming into focus

The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The deets: 5:30-7p, Thursday, Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave. More info here.

And here’s a good look at the ARC’s push to turn Albany’s underused waterfront into a thriving, urban hub once again. C’mon, Albany, let’s make it happen 💪

Fans cringe at dynamic pricing for Saratoga Jazz Fest

Thanks to Ticketmaster’s oh-so-creative use of demand-based pricing, tickets for the Saratoga Jazz Festival at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center are skyrocketing—up to $1,600 for ONE adult admission 😱—as much as 8x previous prices for similar seats.

“I have to say I’m kind of disgusted. I never thought that (SPAC) did things like this,” Irwin Kuperberg of Londonderry, Vt., told the Times Union. Ditto, Irwin, ditto.

Tell us again why the feds are suing Ticketmaster? (Btw, read our story on the disaster of a show at Hozier’s SPAC concert.)

Trump flag flown at Delmar post office

In case you missed it, a Trump flag was seen flying alongside Old Glory at the Delmar U.S. Post Office on Memorial Day—just in time for the parade. It was later taken down, and post office officials said it wasn’t put up by postal workers. The flag flap follows news that a “Stop the Steal” flag was spotted at the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

🌞 WEATHER WATCH

“May is the gateway drug to summer.” —The 518 (we came up with this one :)

Expect sunshine mixed with clouds and passing showers for the remainder of the week.

🌦️ Wednesday 76°/56° 💧 80%

🌤️ Thursday 74°/48° 💧 20%

🌤️ Friday 76°/53° 💧 0%

🌤️ Saturday 75°/49° 💧 0%

🌧️ Sunday 73°/55° 💧 64%

A message from our partner

Local businesses need marketing like a garden needs bees—without it, there’s no buzz and no growth. Just planting your business in the community soil isn't enough. You’ve got to attract customers, and that's where local marketing comes in.

Don’t know where to start? For a limited time, we are offering free 30-min coaching calls for small & medium businesses in the Capital District. Chat with us about optimizing your website, reviews, Google listings, social media, Shopify stores, and more! Sign up here (limited availability).

🗞️ CAPITAL DISTRICT DIGEST

No Fun employees looking to buy music venue

The employees at No Fun are super fun—so fun that they’re looking to buy the underground music venue in Troy from owner August Rosa, who has put it up for sale for $149,000. The GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $10,000 of the $60K goal. Rosa has blessed the idea and says he wants the new owners to run No Fun largely the same way.

Special restrictions for Belmont Stakes spectators

The first-ever run of the Belmont Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course will come with special restrictions—no alcoholic beverages, no cash option for food and drink, and no early morning claim to the picnic tables. Btw, here’s everything that’s happening at the Belmont Stakes Festival, and check out this local’s guide to Saratoga for Belmont Stakes Week.

Give a pint, get a pint at Stewart’s Shops

We’re big believers in giving blood. What you’re reading right now is the result of blood, sweat & tears. But seriously, we try to give as much blood as possible. With the annual “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” promotion, folks who donate blood to the American Red Cross can get a voucher for a pint of Stewart’s Shops ice cream 🍦 The month-long campaign kicks off Thursday at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center on Everett Road in Albany from 11a to 1p.

Remember, the minimum age to give blood is 17 (or 16 with parental consent) and the minimum weight is 110 pounds. Guess we met the weight requirement 😏

🎟️ TOP 5: WEEKEND PICKS

Bowie Bash is back, baby!

Bowie Bash

Ground control to Major Tom… Robert Burke Warren brings back his much-beloved Bowie Bash, featuring a five-piece band and special guests delivering an evening of music spanning the rock icon’s entire discography. 8p, Sat. Tickets from $11.54. The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio. Details & tix here.

Capital Region Parade of Homes

Thousands of potential homebuyers who want to be in-the-know about new construction and home design trends are expected for this annual self-guided tour. 11a-5p, Sat & Sun, $20 (free for 11 and under). One ticket lets you see as many homes as you want, both days. Details here.

Troy Night Out

Troy Night Out takes place on the last Friday of every month. Stroll around downtown for an extended evening under the stars with popup shops, music and art. 5-9p, Friday, free. Btw, Troy is also putting on the Veg Out Fest featuring all kinds of vegan fare. 11a-4p, Sun. Both downtown, both free!

Schenectady Kids Arts Festival

The 30th annual family-friendly fest features 50 hands-on art activities and four hours of free entertainment, including sculpting, painting, and various performances. Noon-4p, Sat, free. Schenectady City Hall. Details here.

Albany Symphony Shrimp Boil

Dig into a steamy, delicious shrimp boil and other finger lickin’ fare from Chef Will Brown while you take in the beautiful serenity of June Farms and listen to the Joe Barna Trio, featuring the talented Dave Solazzo on piano. Proceeds benefit the Albany Symphony Orchestra. 1-4p, Sun, $80. Details here.

🗓️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

There’s so much good stuff happening around the District, we couldn’t stop at five events. Here are a few more to consider:

Arts, Letters & Numbers hosts St. Rocco’s dinner & poetry reading

Arts, Letters & Numbers is hosting St. Rocco’s Poetry Collective for dinner and performance with musicians Federico Balducci, Elizabeth Karp, Al Margolis, Michael Peters, Robbie Wing. 6-10p, Thurs., $33.85. 1543 Burden Lake Road, Averill Park. Details and tix here.

Armenian & Greek Festivals

Two competing festivals, one hard choice. The Armenian Festival features Armenian favorites like losh kebab, lahmajune, paklava and cream kadayif. Friday to Sunday, St. Peter Armenian Church, 100 Troy Schenectady Rd., Watervliet. Times and details here. Meanwhile, St. Basil’s annual Greek festival happens at roughly the same time. 909 River Street, Troy. Times and details here. Free admission for both.

Plant & Sip at Emry’s Garden in Troy

Ever wondered how to make those stunning terrariums you see in home design magazines? Learn the art of crafting beautiful, low-maintenance succulent terrariums from expert horticulturists—with cocktail in hand! 6:15-7:30p, Wed., Emry’s Garden, 2 King St., Troy. $45 for the workshop; all supplies included. Drinks and food are separate, but wine bottles are half off! Reserve your spot here.

👽 WEIRD NEWS WEDNESDAY

Manhattanhenge is a quirky phenomenon that promises to bring out a strange swath of New Yorkers. Twice a year, sun and skyscrapers align to create a magical, made-for-Instagram sunset on the streets of Manhattan. It happened on Tuesday and will take place again tonight at exactly 8:12 p.m. If you miss it, come back on July 12-13. If you’re gonna trek down to the city for this, here are some great tips to ensure you get the best shot of Manhattanhenge. Good luck!

💰 CAPITAL DISTRICT DEALS & DISCOUNTS

Take a gander at some of the best deals, discounts & coupons found around the Capital Region. You can thank us by spreading the word about the newsletter!

Albany Park Ride & Fly is offering 10% off until July 8. 3 day minimum. Details here.

Legoland New York is offering 1 free child ticket with a purchase of a full-price adult ticket. Details here.

SPAC is offering 20% discounted tickets for select shows: the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Details here.

The Egg offers half-off rush tickets (one hour before showtime) for both students and seniors. Also, 15% off adult tickets for groups of 20 or more. Details here.

Gideon Putnam Hotel at the Saratoga Spa State Park is offering 20% off your entire stay. Must book by May 31. Details here.

Got a great coupon or deal to feature? Get in touch: [email protected]!