Nine months after its creation, Albany's Nightlife Advisory Council is announcing a suite of recommendations for improving the capital city's after-hours scene.
The council's 82-page report makes 22 recommendations, including a vacant storefront registry, a night trolley to ferry partygoers between entertainment districts and the repeal of the city's "controversial" cabaret law. The report also asks the city to "explore" allowing establishments to remain open until 4 a.m.
Other recommendations from the council touch on public safety — Applyrs' self-proclaimed "top priority" — including addressing the Albany Police Department's standing officer shortage and developing a "collaborative strategy for homelessness and aggressive panhandling."
"This group has been dedicated to doing the work, having very difficult conversations," Applyrs said at a press conference on Lark Street on Thursday. "They haven't been on one accord all the time, and that's what happens when you bring people together. But they've been committed to having those tough conversations to reach consensus and agreement, and they've come up with recommendations that will strengthen Albany's nightlife and entertainment economy."
The report comes at a financially precarious time for the city, with eight-figure budget gaps and talks of overriding the property tax cap this budget season. Applyrs said her administration would prioritize "those low-hanging fruit items that have the least expensive price tag."
"There are so many things that we can do and not be crippled by the city's fiscal challenges," Applyrs said Thursday. "I still have a city to to lead and manage despite challenges. We still have businesses who need to thrive. We still have residents who need to have a great quality of life. We still have to show up and provide services."
The recommendation to repeal the cabaret law, which some business owners have said is too restrictive and bureaucratic, comes after Albany Common Council voted 8-2 in November to change the law. The modifications extend the licenses' validity from one to three years, exempt small establishments and eliminate the public hearing requirement.
Applyrs says her office is already acting on certain recommendations, including the implementation of the proposed vacant storefront registry, which she says would allow the city to reduce blight and work with owners of vacant properties.
"It allows a touch from us to follow up to find out what's going on," Applyrs said. "In addition, we may have some some landlords who are ready to sell. It gives us the opportunity to connect them with some interested buyers as opposed to the properties just sitting."
The Albany Common Council would have to approve the registry. Applyrs said her office is drafting legislation.
A spokesperson for Applyrs says the Advisory Council on Nightlife Economy will continue meeting.
