Upper Madison Block Planning Initiative

Focusing on investments and block planning initiatives for the neighborhood commercial districts within the Midtown Boundary Area is a strategic plan component of the Midtown Colleges and University Study. The Upper Madison Avenue Commercial District, from South Main Avenue to North Allen Street, is a vital part of Albany that offers dining, shopping and theater-going, and other neighborhood services in a pleasant, livable neighborhood. It welcomes visitors to historic Madison Avenue and serves as a commercial hub for the Pine Hills neighborhood.

This busy corridor was a prime candidate for the first block planning initiative of the Midtown Colleges and University Study. Dubbed the Upper Madison Block Plan, the City’s Department of Development & Planning began a strategic initiative to revitalize the commercial district in order to attract new patrons and provide local residents with an enhanced retail experience.

As part of this effort, the City formed a steering committee consisting of residents and business owners and hired consultant Troy Architectural Program (TAP, Inc.) to evaluate and plan for the future of the Upper Madison Avenue commercial corridor. The goal of the assessment was to build neighborhood consensus, identify existing resources and market potential for new business and develop recommendations for improving the commercial district.

The City and some very engaged neighbors distributed a survey to residents, asking them how they shop, work and live in the neighborhoods that include the Upper Madison Commercial District. A summary of survey responses was presented at a community meeting where stakeholders discussed the objectives and goals of this planning effort and reviewed plans for the second stage of the effort. A community design charrette, an interactive design exercise to seek input related to physical layout and design recommendations, was held as a follow-up.

At the end of the process a report of priority recommendations and an action-plan to achieve them was produced, and a capital investment program was put into place. With the help of this planning effort, Upper Madison serves locals and visitors alike with a bright new face and a vibrant commercial community.

For additional information or questions about the Upper Madison Avenue Block Planning Initiative please contact Sarah Reginelli at the Department of Development and Planning (518) 434-2532 x 22 or reginellis@ci.albany.ny.us