Community Engagement

Phase 1 set Albany’s growth targets for downtown by analyzing the city’s market positioning and evaluating economic opportunities that create a foundation for catalytic investment. Engagement in this phase involved listening to the community to understand: what are the current challenges, how should we define the potential for Downtown’s future, and determine the desired outcomes for the Downtown Albany Strategy.

Phase 2 focused on identifying development opportunities, policies, and programs that will make the biggest difference for downtown and Albany as a whole. 

Next, the Downtown Albany Strategy will share an action-oriented blueprint for the next 5-10 years, focused on implementation, building momentum, and advancing projects and partnerships that deliver lasting results and unlock Albany’s full potential.

Our Approach to Engagement

  • Listening to Downtown residents and business owners
  • Meeting the community where they are
  • Sharing regular updates about the development of the Downtown Albany Strategy and opportunities for public input through email blasts, the project website, and with trusted community partners
  • Honoring the community’s time and input by sharing how public input is shaping recommendations in each phase of the process
Phase 1 - Growth Targets & Framework. Develop Criteria for Investments - summer 2025. Phase 2 - Catalytic project
identification. Filter, Prioritize, and
Bundle Investments - Fall 2025. Phase 3 - Implementation & Governance. Develop Implementation 
and Funding Strategy - Winter 2025-2026.

The Strategy evolved through the following phases:

Phase 1 focused on understanding the priorities for growth, impact, and how to measure success. Community input identified the top priorities for downtown, which informed growth targets and evaluation criteria for downtown investments.



In Phase 2, community engagement helped inform investments using the priorities identified in Phase I community engagement. In this Phase, the Albany community provided feedback on development opportunities, policies, and programs that are under consideration.

Next, Downtown Albany Strategy engagement is shifting from planning to implementation. Informed by public input from Phases 1 and 2, DTAS identifies where targeted investment can deliver the greatest impact.

A series of community events including public workshops, focus groups, pop ups, and door to door visits with business owners involve the community in the planning process. Updates are shared on this website, on social media, and in newsletter updates.

Whether you live or work in or near Albany, your ideas can help us make the best plan to move Albany forward.

Community Engagement Phase Summaries

Upcoming Phase Summaries

  • Phase 2 Priority Opportunities & Partnerships, Fall 2025
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