Downtown champion Cornelius D. Murray receives 2021 James M. DiNapoli Award
ALBANY, N.Y.: Cornelius D. Murray, Esq., O’Connell & Aronowitz Shareholder, was presented with the 2021 James M. DiNapoli Award at the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District’s (BID) Annual Meeting on September 29, 2021. The event, which serves to provide an update on development in Downtown, drew community members, Stakeholders, and elected officials.
Created in 2013 in honor of founding member and inaugural Chairman of the Downtown Albany BID, the James M. DiNapoli Award is presented to an individual, organization, or business that exemplifies Mr. DiNapoli’s spirit of partnership and community-building in shaping the direction of downtown Albany.
During his tenure on the Board and as Chairman of the Albany Parking Authority, Murray was a leader in strategic development aimed at helping businesses in Downtown, including construction of three parking garages, which added substantially to the parking availability for those visiting and working in the Central Business District. The development was critical in paving the way for the State to bring more than 3,000 employees to Downtown under the Albany Plan, which also resulted in the construction of the Office of the State Comptroller headquarters at 110 State Street and DEC building at 625 Broadway, among other projects.
A staunch advocate for the urban core that is downtown Albany, Murray has exemplified the spirit of partnership represented by the James M. DiNapoli Award, understanding the importance of a public-private collaboration in fostering an active metropolitan area. Since its founding in 1925, O’Connell & Aronowitz has been based in Downtown, an important part of the firm’s history as Murray sees Albany as the heart of the Capital Region, and notes that the health of the region is tied to the health of Downtown.
Over the course of his five decades at O’Connell & Aronowitz, he has witnessed downtown Albany experience incredible growth and development. Crediting City leadership, business and property owners, and developers who are creating residential space, Murray sees the future of Downtown as a continuation of mixed-use property that invites a community spirit fostered by those who live and work in the District.
“I am honored and genuinely humbled to receive this award named for my dear friend Jim, a staunch Downtown advocate and someone who truly exemplifies community spirit,” said Murray. “It is important for every community to realize the vital importance of this city, and that its success is directly connected to the health of the region. I am thankful for our firm’s leadership and dedication to what is the heart of the metropolitan area, and for those who continue to invest their time and money in downtown Albany to help ensure the neighborhood’s ongoing success.”
“We are thrilled to honor the visionary Neil Murray,” said Downtown Albany BID executive director Georgette Steffens. “Neil’s time on the Albany Parking Authority’s Board was key to ushering in not only the addition of numerous public and private office buildings through the construction of parking garages, but also the new era of our District as Albany’s fastest growing neighborhood. The impact his service had will be felt for generations to come, and we thank him for his ongoing dedication to Downtown.”
Previous James M. DiNapoli Award recipients include Tracy Metzger (2013), I. David Swawite (2014), Joseph Nicolla (2015), Nancy Zimpher (2016), Anders Tomson (2017), Gavin J. Donohue (2018), and Dan Nolan (2019).
Since 1996, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has worked to restore, promote and maintain the character and vitality of downtown Albany and improve the quality of life and overall image of downtown for those who work in, live in and visit New York’s Capital City. The BID is a private, not-for profit 501(c) (3) organization. For more information about Downtown Albany BID please visit downtownalbany.org or call 518.465.2143.
