Downtown News

POSTPONED: Due to health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19, and the New York on PAUSE order from Governor Cuomo limiting non-essential gatherings, Downtown Albany Restaurant Week has been postponed. When it is safe to celebrate the world-class cuisine available in Downtown with this event, we will do so. Stay tuned for new dates! 

While the NCAA Men's Basketball sessions are in Downtown, there will be just as much excitement outside the Times Union Center as there will be at the games. Basketball enthusiasts are invited to celebrate one of the biggest annual events in sports this March at the 2020 Albany Basketball Fan Fest, being held March 18, 19, and 21 at the Albany Capital Center (55 Eagle Street). Admission is free.

For over three decades the Business Review has been releasing the Book of Lists, a go-to publication in doing business for anything from job-seekers to CEOs looking for bids on an upcoming project. In the 2019-20 edition, there is no shortage of Downtown listings ranging from among the longest-running family owned businesses to largest office buildings; businesses to buildings within the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District appear over 80 times in nearly 30 categories.

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District is seeking a firm to perform a District Demographic Study with submissions due at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 (please note this is an extension of the previous due date).

Voting is open for the Times Union's 2020 Best Of following nearly 160,000 nominations in 100 categories. People will be able to vote once a day through Thursday, March 5 in Dining Out, Goods and Services, Arts and Entertainment, and Best of the Rest categories.

Chicago-based company Novel Coworking is expanding into New York following the purchase of 69 State Street. Plans for the 17-story building include renovations to provide modern and affordable workspace, with pre-leasing already underway for private offices, SmartSuites, and coworking memberships which start at $129 per month.

Significant development in downtown Albany has attracted new restaurateur Jeffrey Via, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for The Paper Dragon held January 9. 

Does the start of a new decade have you even more motivated to stick to your resolutions? As 2020 begins, Downtown businesses are here to help you with some of the most common New Year's Resolutions: lose weight/exercise and improve your finances.

Ridesharing services Uber and Lyft have released the most popular destinations in and around Albany for 2019, with Downtown locations placing on both companies lists.

A formerly vacant building that has been transformed into 132 apartments and commercial space was officially welcomed to Downtown in early December, following a grand opening announcement made by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.