Downtown Development Authority board addresses crime, welcomes new store

ALBANY — The Albany Downtown Development Authority heard recently a downtown safety report from the Albany Police Department, and an introduction of a new shop on Pine Avenue.

Chief Michael Persley talked to the board its Wednesday evening meeting about part of a new initiative he is working on to make community safety officers seem more accessible.

“Some people are not going to approach a police officer because they may feel that it’s a confrontational issue just by the appearance,” he said. “But then, if you have somebody who is just as trained but has a different focus, people may be more likely to ask for help.”

Persley said, even though there is a perception of downtown Albany as a dangerous area, the “biggest problem downtown if people who just beg for money…with that, we do understand you need to bring some other retailers down — food, entertainment — to start having a lively downtown center.”

At the end of the meeting, Jacquelyn Teemer, the interim downtown manager and business development manager, announced that Downtown Dawsyn Boutique, an online women’s clothing store, recently signed a lease agreement for 104 Pine Ave.

The store is expected to move in May 1.

“We are really excited,” Teemer said. “We think it’s going to add to the mix (of businesses) that are already downtown.”

She went on to say North Front Street and Pine Avenue have gained four new businesses this year, and that the city is looking to fill at least four vacancies in the near future.

The board also approved their February and March financial report, received an update on the status of their agenda-tracking software, hashed out a few details for their work plan, resolved to remove some language regarding a Technical Review Committee from the Front Street Market lease, and considered a director’s report.