* * NEWS RELEASE * *

Date: May 27, 2022

City of Albany Makes Funding Recommendations

ALBANY, NY – The City of Albany American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Leadership Team is excited
to announce 35 projects have been selected to receive grants from $25 million of federal relief
dollars provided to Albany under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Three quarters of the funding – approximately $18 million – is being awarded for projects that
will create affordable housing, affordable homeownership, community spaces and direct
services in Albany’s neighborhoods of highest need. The remainder will assist small businesses
and the City’s hard-hit arts and tourism organizations with the ultimate goal of creating new
jobs, and to projects that support workforce development.

The City of Albany received nearly 150 proposals for funding that were reviewed by five Results
Teams comprised of a cross-section of residents and community leaders. Recommendations
from the Results Teams were considered by the City’s ARPA Leadership Team when they
selected 63 proposals to move to Phase II that also included a more detailed application
process.

The City of Albany ARPA Leadership Team, comprised of Mayor Kathy Sheehan, City Treasurer
Darius Shahinfar, Common Council President Corey Ellis, Common Council Pro Tempore Kelly
Kimbrough, Common Council Majority Leader Ginnie Farrell, Commissioner of Administrative
Services Rachel McEneny, and Corporation Counsel Marisa Franchini, Esq., then reviewed the
63 Phase II applications, conducted interviews, and are proud to make the following funding
recommendations.

The City of Albany ARPA Leadership Team said “This pandemic has impacted every corner of
our city in a variety of different ways, but one thing has been consistent – the COVID Recovery
Task Force demanded we fund highly impactful, transformative proposals using this once-in-a-
generation funding. During this process, we heard from organizations and communities,
including many that have not traditionally partnered with local government. The nearly 150
applicants underwent an extremely rigorous and competitive application process, and we are
very proud to engage with them now as partners in accelerating Albany’s recovery.”

US Senator Chuck Schumer said, “I want to congratulate Mayor Sheehan and the members of
the Leadership Team, Recovery Task Force, and Results Team for their hard work and vision. I
fought hard to deliver this direct federal aid to every municipality to replace the lost revenue
during the COVID pandemic, prevent layoffs, reward frontline workers, and help communities
rebuild as we come out of the crisis. The layoffs were averted. Albany gave essential workers
bonus pay. And now they have set the model for how a municipality should disburse aid
throughout the community in an open, inclusive, and transparent manner. These projects will
create affordable housing, promote business growth and create jobs, all while making life in
neighborhoods throughout the city better.”

US Congressman Paul Tonko said, “I would like to congratulate Mayor Sheehan, the City of
Albany ARPA Leadership Team, the Results Teams, and the Recovery Task Force on the
culmination of their hard work selecting these worthy projects to receive funding from
President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. When I cast my vote for the American Rescue Plan,
direct investments in our communities like these were exactly what I had in mind. These
projects will promote economic growth and recovery, build new affordable housing and
community services, increase access to critical services, and create new jobs. I am proud to
have pushed hard for this game-changing funding, and I am confident these projects will have a
great positive impact on the city of Albany and its continuing economic recovery.”

City of Albany COVID Recovery Task Force Co-Chairs Michael Whalen and Jahkeen Hoke said,
“We commend Albany’s Leadership Team for administering an open, inclusive, and transparent
process that brought scores of voices to the table to help ensure we are building back better. It
is our hope this $25 million in grant awards will make a lasting, transformative impact.”
Organization Funding Project Description
Affordable $300,000 The Affordable Housing Partnership will use ARPA funding to establish
Housing an Albany Matched Savings Program combined with financial coaching
Partnership to help residents prepare for homeownership, with a particular focus on
addressing Albany’s racial wealth gap. The project will prepare more
Albany residents to purchase their first home by assisting first time
buyers with a comprehensive financial coaching program that includes a
small, matched savings program.
Albany Center $75,000 The Albany Center Gallery will use ARPA funding to provide stipends for
Gallery artists who are Albany residents to support current and new
programming to enhance access and exposure to art.
Albany $600,000 The Albany Community Land Trust will use ARPA funding to manage the
Community renovation of 12 blighted properties and improvements to vacant lots.
Land Trust ARPA funding will leverage private funding to address the gap between
renovation costs of vacant buildings and their market value to ensure
that public investments help create more affordable housing in West
Hill.
Albany County $282,280 Discover Albany will use ARPA funding to develop a multi-year
Convention Halloween Festival, inspired by Albany's historic Halloween-Dreamland
and Visitors from over a century ago, and marketing around “FALL-bany.” The
Bureau (dba programming, starting in 2023, will feature public art, community
Discover events, dramatic tours, and historical exhibits.
Albany)
Albany County $332,000 The Albany County Historical Association will use ARPA funding to
Historical modernize access to and improve the grounds of the Ten Broeck
Association Mansion’s four acres of historic gardens and museum spaces, frontage
on Livingston Avenue, and improved safety and access parking. This
project will also expand the current free art kits programs for Arbor Hill
residents and tourists.
Albany Housing $748,000 The Albany Housing Authority and Pearl Over Look Corporation will use
Authority/Pearl ARPA funding to leverage private and other governmental funding for
Over Look Corp Steamboat Square Revitalization Phase 1, the rehabilitation and
preservation of 20 Rensselaer Street, to rehabilitate 51 existing
apartments, and create 37 new affordable housing apartments targeted
to residents earning up to 50% and 70% of Area Median Income.
Albany Parking $236,899 The Albany Parking Authority will use ARPA funding to install 17
Authority decorative light poles and enhance lighting at four parking lot locations
along Central Avenue (between Henry Johnson Blvd. and Quail St.) and
at the Quackenbush parking lot. The project also includes wireless
security cameras in partnership with Central Ave BID and the Albany
Police Department.
Albany Water $500,000 The Albany Water Board will use ARPA funding to expand its existing
Board grant program to assist homeowners with the cost of lead service
replacement including an emphasis on street-wide lead service
replacement in historically redlined neighborhoods and neighborhoods
identified as Environmental Justice Communities by NYS DEC.
Capital $350,000 Capital Repertory Theatre will use ARPA funding to construct a parking
Repertory lot on a long-vacant parcel of land in Arbor Hill. The project will
Theatre transform a field strewn with weeds and garbage into a 44-car parking
lot, serving more than 35,000 annual patrons while reducing parking
congestion for nearby residents and local businesses. It will also serve as
winter snow emergency parking for the Arbor Hill neighborhood.
Capitalize $1,100,000 Capitalize Albany Corporation will use ARPA funding to leverage existing
Albany state and private funding to redevelop an underutilized site on Clinton
Corporation Avenue (a key gateway into the Capital Region’s central business
district) and transform it into the Clinton Market Collective – a new
market concept and proving ground for startup businesses, diverse pop-
up retail, installations by local artists, and signature events.
Capitalize $1,500,000 Capitalize Albany Corporation, the Downtown Albany BID, and the
Albany Central Avenue BID will use ARPA funding to provide small business
Corporation, grants and other various avenues of support for small businesses across
Downtown the City of Albany. Grants will help enhance resiliency, expansion and
Albany BID, diversification, and improvements to physical spaces to regain
and Central momentum following the pandemic.
Avenue BID
CARES of NY, $1,975,266 CARES will use ARPA funding to expand the existing platform of the
Inc. City’s Emergency Solutions Grant funding with a new workforce
component. The project will improve the existing prevention, rapid
rehousing, and emergency housing programs by linking residents to new
workforce supports and funds to reduce barriers to entering and
remaining in the workforce as well as providing scholarships for job-
related training to improve employment opportunities.
Central District $265,000 Central Avenue BID will use ARPA funding to leverage private and BID
Management funds to develop the second and third floors of the STEAM Garden on
Association Central Avenue. Redevelopment of the currently vacant floors will
(Central create a space where businesses can grow, learn, and interact with
Avenue BID) other businesses in the multi-use, community-based entrepreneurial
hub.
City of Albany $2,000,000 The City of Albany will use ARPA funding to support the design,
– West Hill engineering, purchase of a site, and construction of the West Hill
Community Community Center. The West Hill Community Center will offer a safe
Center and walkable space for a variety of community needs and amenities and
will serve as a connector space for community members seeking access
to healthcare, employment, senior, and childcare services.
City of Albany $2,000,000 The City of Albany will use ARPA funding to expand and update the
– Hoffman Park second floor of the Hoffman Park Recreation Center. Renovations will
Recreation include additional community and conference spaces, a teaching
Center kitchen, an expanded gym area and parking, and the use of alternative
materials for additional daylight and visibility between spaces – all
focused on improving and expanding programming and engagement for
residents.
City of Albany $400,000 The City of Albany will use ARPA funding to reinvent how the City
– Department attracts, engages, and retains employees, focusing on reaching and
of attracting new and diverse talent to City government through a "Join
Administrative Albany" recruiting initiative. The program’s primary focus is to recruit
Services City residents and will include improving the City’s “employer brand” to
better showcase the City’s mission, values, culture, and personality, with
funds used for more robust training initiatives, wellness initiatives,
benefits, and team-building exercises.
Destroyer $500,000 The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum will use ARPA funding to
Escort leverage private and non-profit funding to update the shoreside
Historical facilities of USS Slater and Dutch Apple Cruises with new infrastructure
Museum that includes a visitor’s center, gift shop, storage, public restrooms, a
classroom, and updated safety and security elements. The
improvements will help to facilitate programming and provide better
connectivity to the Bike Path and the Albany Skyway.
Downtown $838,020 The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District will use ARPA
Albany funding the develop the Capital Wayfinding Program. This program
Business includes installing new signs and replacing signs that have reached the
Improvement end of their service life or are no longer legible. The new, cohesive,
District appealing, expandable wayfinding signage system will make navigation
easier for residents and visitors, connecting users to more destinations
within Downtown. The program will also include ambassadors through
the Schenectady Works and Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
programs, who will be responsible for greeting patrons, answering
questions, and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.
Grand Street $200,000 Grand Street Community Arts will use ARPA funding to leverage
Community additional funding sources to renovate the organization's 5,000 square
Arts Inc. foot basement space to create year-round multiuse rooms for
community meetings, programming, and services.

Habitat for $3,790,000 Habitat for Humanity Capital District, in partnership with the Albany
Humanity County Land Bank, will use ARPA funding to advance its efforts to
Capital District develop 100 new affordable homes located in Qualified Census Tracts
(that include the South End, Arbor Hill, and West Hill) and historically
redlined neighborhoods in the City of Albany and sell them to qualified,
first-time homebuyers. APRA funding will leverage significant private
and not-for-profit funding to advance the project’s Phase II and begin
Phase III (final phase) efforts quicker than otherwise possible.
Historic Albany $50,000 Historic Albany Foundation will use funding to create a new Tool Library
Foundation in the West Hill Neighborhood, creating an opportunity for residents to
borrow and return items as (and when) needed. The project will focus
on supporting homeowners with property maintenance to avoid
disrepair that can lead to abandoned properties.
Historic Cherry $143,451 Historic Cherry Hill will use ARPA funding to leverage private and
Hill philanthropic capital to increase the accessibility for residents of the
South End neighborhood. Investments will make the site more usable
and physically attractive through paving repairs, tree management,
picnic tables, and wheelchair access to the house. Historic Cherry Hill
will also partner with Albany County Historical Association and the
Underground Railroad Education Center to hire a Marketing and
Community Engagement Associate to coordinate the needs of all three
museums and organize community programming.
In Our Own $500,000 In Our Own Voices will use ARPA funding to purchase and renovate a
Voices building to expand its effective, evidence-based programs for Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (LGBTGNC)
individuals with a focus on LGBT People of Color (POC), including the
addition of a youth drop-in center and transitional/rehousing for youth
and transgender individuals. The new site will also provide space for
community partners to deliver culturally relevant services.
Jewish Family $626,802 Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York (JFS) will use ARPA
Services of funding to expand its programming and establish new supplemental
Northeastern services to support aging well and safely for traditionally marginalized,
NY vulnerable older adults. This program, “Albany InPlace,” will provide
cohesive, in-depth services to traditionally marginalized and vulnerable
older adults struggling with the challenges of aging with limited
resources – including addressing healthcare navigation and social
isolation obstacles.
Organization of $40,000 The Albany Rowing Center will use ARPA funding to upgrade the ramps
Adirondack connecting the shoreline with the docks at the Corning Preserve boat
Rowers and ramp on the Hudson River – better connecting the Albany waterfront
Scullers, Inc. and its recreational opportunities to residents and visitors alike.
dba Albany
Rowing Center
Park $250,000 Park Playhouse Inc. will partner with the City of Albany Department of
Playhouse, Inc. General Services to use ARPA funding to restore the Washington Park
Amphitheatre and continue delivering free theater activities. Updates
will prioritize the safety for patrons and passersby.
Parsons Child $1,334,961 Parsons Child and Family Center will use ARPA funding to deliver a
and Family community-based Wellness Advocate team to work with residents to
Center identify and resolve immediate social determinants of health conditions.
The culturally competent and trauma-informed team will assist
residents in remedying identified needs such as housing, food, and
financial insecurities through one-on-one engagement and navigation of
government, community, human services, and health services.
Pine Hills $50,000 The Pine Hills Neighborhood Association will partner with the City of
Neighborhood Albany Department of General Services to use ARPA funding to remove
Association blacktop maintenance strips and install permeable weed-blocking
surfaces and decorative hardscape, and plant additional trees in
targeted sections of the Pines Hills neighborhood composed primarily of
rental properties including Quail Street from Madison to Elberon Place
and Hudson Avenue from Ontario Street to South Lake Avenue.
Refugee $70,000 The Refugee Welcome Corporation will use ARPA funding take full
Welcome ownership of its facility and enhance its ability to provide additional
Corporation services and programming for residents.
Restaurant $125,000 Restaurant Navona will use ARPA funding to leverage federal and
Navona private funding to provide restaurant workforce training and
certification programs for individuals disconnected from the workforce
or who may need additional skills to enter the workforce.
Refugee and $104,000 RISSE will use ARPA funding to expand its own Job Assistance program.
Immigrant RISSE will provide instruction for basic computer skills and help clients
Support learn how to search and apply for jobs. Additionally, RISSE will work with
Services USCRI on a series to introduce how to interview, what to wear, tips on
(RISSE) scheduling, and work to identify employers able to hire recent refugees
and immigrants who live in the City of Albany.
South End $1,000,000 The South End Children’s Cafe will use ARPA funding for capital
Children's Cafe investments and facility needs to increase the number of children and
families it can serve daily. The funding will leverage other state, private,
philanthropic, and not-for-profit funds that help expand the program’s
capacity and to provide additional wrap-around services.
South End $483,321 South End Partners, in collaboration with the Albany County Land Bank
Partners LLC Corporation, will use ARPA funding to close the financing gap and
support the development of 11 affordable single-family townhomes on
11 vacant parcels of land owned by ACLBC and situated in Qualified
Census Tracts that will be marketed to households with income no
greater than 80% of the Area Median Income.
Trinity Alliance $1,730,000 Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Inc. will use ARPA funds to
of the Capital leverage other governmental and private funding to make capital
Region Inc investments in its structures to enhance the scope, depth, reach, and
coordination of its multiple services. The improved physical location
will assist in the combined delivery of social and clinical care.
 Upper $500,000 Upper Washington Avenue Neighborhood Association and Westland
Washington Hills Little League will use ARPA funding to work with the City of Albany
Avenue to develop an accessible nature trail and enhance youth baseball and
Neighborhood softball fields to improve access to and quality of recreational activities
Association for Albany residents.
(UWANA) &
Westland Hills
Little League

President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law on March 11, 2021,
after significant advocacy from across the nation, including by Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Paul Tonko.

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