By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-882637.mp3
Albany, NY – New York's Capital City has taken the first step in a plan to get more residents to move downtown - part of a larger effort to restore and re-ignite interest in the core of the city. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
Revitalization efforts continue in Albany - 23 through 25 North Pearl Street the scene of a ribbon cutting and open house for new apartments in the heart of downtown - the event hosted by Mayor Jerry Jennings. The upper floors of the four-story structure had been vacant for over a decade - they have been transformed into luxury apartments that are now available to rent. The project is part of the Downtown Housing Initiative, intent on creating highly desirable upscale housing in historic buildings, especially where upper floors have been vacant or under-utilized. Rents for the single bedroom units will be in the range of between 11 and 15-hundred dollars a month. Mayor Jennings believes this project is just the beginning of a drive to renew downtown areas in the interest of attracting residents.