volunteers, neighborhood association

Open Issues: 1 • Closed Issues: 1,035 • Acknowledged Issues: 29
Watching issues created after: 2018-08-17

volunteers, residents

Notified About

  • Lark Street Neighborhood Albany, New York - Center Square
    The time has come to retire Larkfest. Anyone who walked the area today and tonight saw our streets, sidewalks, tree beds, front yards and stoops destroyed with trash, food, cigarette butts, broken bottles, spilled alcohol, etc. Other than the bars, many of the businesses say Lark Fest actually decreases their business and certainly does not result in increased revenue. On top of that, tax dollars have to be spent on increased police and DGS presence and overtime. The Executive Director of the BID does not live here, so makes decisions without experiencing the ramifications. Larkfest was intended to be a celebration of what we have to offer, but it hasn't been that for a long time. It merely reinforces the stereotype that all this area has to offer is alcohol which further injures the neighborhood economically and otherwise. Then, when the official "Larkfest" ends, even greater problems of noise, drunkenness, public urination, vomiting, fighting, property destruction, etc. go into full swing until after 4:00 AM bar closings. All told this event negatively affects the area for at least 24 hours. The people who live here, and invest in this community every day, are left to manage this mess with no balancing benefit. The BID needs to show the neighborhood, in unequivocal provable data, how this event helps retail businesses and restaurants (whose primary business is not alcohol, pizza, or ice cream), and how the cost for the event (in time, money, effort, manpower, damage, lost parking, lost street access, lost sleep and quality of life etc.) is worth what it does to the neighborhood and its reputation.
  • Illegal Trash Archived
    166 Lancaster St Albany 12210, United States - Center Square
    This man was Throwing trash over the fence and the empty lot on the corner of Dove in Lancaster. When I confronted him he walked away but I was able to get a picture of him if anyone knows this man they should call the police we don’t need Cockroaches mice or rats or any other animal in the neighborhood
  • Trash Pick-Up Archived
    175 Jay St Albany NY 12210, United States - Center Square
    This trash heap is a persistent problem, but it’s really gotten out of hand. Large apartment building on corner of Jay and Dove. Their trash collection-removal plan seems to consist of this: just dump it all (poorly bagged) out back — in full view of neighborhood. It’s degrading and unsanitary. A years-long problem.
  • Lark St & Central Ave Albany, NY, 12210, USA - Central Avenue
    For weeks, there have been "encampments" of youth with dogs who hold up signs for money or sit or sleep on the sidewalk with all of their belongings spread out until some of them go sleep in the park where they leave trash and human and animal feces. They are also blocking the sidewalks in some places, and pouring piles of dog food on the sidewalks (see photo) where it draws rats later. The dogs are in extreme heat panting and looking miserable much of the time. It's hot for the people as well, but they have some choice in the matter or can go to the library and such to cool down when the dogs can't. The dogs are also used to solicit money. Is Animal protective services checking on these dogs and what can be done to address the blocked sidewalks, trash, and people setting up camps where pedestrians are trying to walk?Though our councilman continues to do exactly nothing about anything, and the Mayor's Office has abandoned us and our issues go unaddressed, we are still a neighborhood. This wouldn't be tolerated in most other areas of the city.
  • Madison Ave & Willett St Albany, New York, 12203 - Park South
    We know the police say that it's the mayor's decision not to address the very dangerous dirt bike, motorcycle and ATV situation but there has to be something a community can do that is endangered and having its quality of life destroyed. Large groups of motorcycles, atvs, and dirt bikes continue to use Madison Avenue as a raceway and location for extremely dangerous stunts where they have little control over their vehicles. Members of this community have discussed the fact that they've been in accidents with some of these vehicles and are trying to pay them off when they already lived check to check because many of these drivers are not only unlicensed but uninsured. So by making the decision not to deal with them, not only are drivers and pedestrians at personal safety risk but also very serious financial risk if you are involved in an accident with one of these drivers because they do not have insurance and should never be on the road. Last night, while dozens and dozens of people tried to enjoy the nice weather and free cone day at Ben & Jerry's, a large group raced up and took through the intersection at Madison and Willett multiple times including doing donuts in the middle of busy intersections blocking traffic and pedestrians who had the right of way and burning rubber spewing noxious fumes toward all the people simply waiting to get their ice cream cone. Had even one of these vehicles lost control as they stood on the seats of their bike, many adults and children could have been seriously injured or worse. When they are standing on there bikes and fall off which people have witnessed, the bikes go spinning out of control and no one knows where they will eventually land or who or what they will hit in the process. You can see the circles at the intersection of Madison and Henry Johnson and at Madison and Willett. The police were called. As always, there was no indication any officers ever came to the scene and, as many have said, what is the point if they've been told to do nothing? The noise itself is beyond sustainable to this neighborhood and the people who live here let alone all of the other issues. We tried to eat at El Loco recently and rather than enjoy outdoor dining, both our party and the waiter were so sick of having to completely stop in the middle of our orders because the motorcycles were so loud none of us could hear, we had to move indoors , but the noise was disruptive even inside. To allow the level of abuse this community is taking is wrong on so many levels and beneath what any City leadership should be comfortable with and what the community should accept. There is a lot that can be done in between total avoidance and high speed chases. If our Police Department can bring down entire drug rings, surely they can figure out solutions to this growing scourge before a child or adult suffers catastrophic injuries or we lose them all together in a completely avoidable collision that the city was warned about time and time again.
  • Center Square Area Albany New York - Center Square

    Once again our streets are being closed off and parking made unavailable to residents in the Center Square area for another race/event. Most of us support many charities and a good number of us run in events such as this, but respectfully ask that they be spread out over the city and shared by other neighborhoods.

    We pay very high taxes here, pay additionally for residential parking and often still can't park within any reasonable distance to our homes. People are trying to carry groceries, babies, etc. and elderly residents are trying to simply get to their homes without walking many blocks.

    It's great to have some events here, but it's enough with Tulip Fest, Lark Fest, Pride, Park Playhouse, Santa Speedo, the holiday lights in the park which disrupt parking from Halloween through the New Year, 4th of July Fireworks, etc. It's not too much to ask that the myriad races be shared by other communities including those with garages and off-street parking. We have nowhere to park each time we are displaced for another race and are disproportionately bearing the burden, including having to park in unsafe areas and walk for blocks at night when parking is taken off-line for events.

    People who don't live here may not understand and may think we're being unreasonable, but below are all the areas disrupted for just one of the many events. If any other neighborhood in the city, was subjected to what we are, many times each year, residents would have put a stop to it long ago. The response is often, "If you don't like it move." But the reason this area holds on is, in part, because residents care. We get involved, participate in park and neighborhood clean ups and beautification, sweep and shovel the walks, pick up trash and dog poop, plant flowers, etc. It's fair to spread the impact of all these events.

    Highlight the warehouse district. Let people get to know Pine Hills, Helderberg or Buckingham Pond neighborhoods. Run along our beautiful river, etc. Every event does not have to be held in the most densely populated area of the city and unnecessarily displace hundreds of vehicles over and over throughout the year. The events are not the issue. Good causes are a great thing, but they can occur in more than one location in the city.

    Please neighborhood Presidents, and city officials, advocate for us and for other areas to share the hosting. Thank you.

    One of the MANY similar announcements we receive every year:

    Road Closures and Parking Restrictions for Last Run Winter 5K - Saturday December 8, 2018

    Road Closures:

    The following Roadway will be closed on December 8, 2018 from 10AM-7PM:

    • State Street between South Swan Street and Eagle Street

    The following Roadways will be closed on December 8, 2018 from 3PM-7PM:

    • Washington Avenue from Dove Street to Eagle Street
    • State Street between Lodge Street and Eagle Street
    • Eagle Street between State Street and Pine Street
    • South Swan Street northbound Madison Avenue to Chestnut Street (upper Roadway)
    • Market Street ramp to Eagle Street from Grand Street

    The following roadways will be closed on December 8, 2018 from 4:00PM to 5:45PM:

    • State Street between Robin Street and South Swan Street
    • Willett Street between State Street and Madison Avenue
    • Washington Park, All Park Roadways – Including Henry Johnson Boulevard
    • South Swan Street northbound Madison Avenue to Washington Avenue (Upper and lower roadways)
    • Dove Street southbound at Spring St to State Street
    • Lark Street between Madison Avenue and Washington Avenue
    **Lark St will remain open northbound only between Chestnut Street and Lancaster Street for Chestnut Street residents only
    • Henry Johnson Boulevard between State Street and Madison Avenue
    • Hamilton Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street
    • Jay Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street
    • Lancaster Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street
    • Chestnut Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street

    Parking Restrictions:

    The following Roadways will have Parking Prohibited on December 8, 2018 from 10AM to 7PM:

    • State Street, both sides, from South Swan Street to Eagle Street

    The following Roadways will have Parking Prohibited on December 8, 2018 from Noon to 7PM:

    • State Street, both sides, from Robin Street east 6 spaces on each side
    • Washington Avenue from Swan Street to Eagle Street, both sides restricted
    • Willett Street, both sides, from Hudson Avenue north 4 spaces on each side
    • Washington Park Road, both sides (Hudson Avenue), from Willett Street west to Henry Johnson
    • N. Hawk Street both sides from Elk Street to Washington Avenue
    • Eagle Street both sides from State Street to Elk Street
    • Park Street, both sides from Lancaster Street to State Street
    • Elk Street, both sides from Eagle Street west 5 spaces on each side
    • Lodge Street, west side from Pine Street to State Street
    • State Street , both sides from Eagle Street to Lodge Street

  • Madison And Willett Albany, New York - Park South
    While walking West on Madison toward Willett, I saw the motorbikes/ATV that have been terrorizing the neighborhood and park for months. Traffic Engineering, please check the cameras at Willett and Madison Ave intersection from between 7:00 and 7:05 PM 8/21/18. You will see four motorbikes/ATV illegally speed around vehicles and run the stop light on Madison at Willett going West. This is so dangerous and they have thus far gone without consequence. Please provide the police with this footage. Someone else on this site already provided the street on which the ATV driver is believed to be living. One of the motorbikes was a bright green and the ATV is orange or red. They are seen in the Center Square and Washington Park area daily. If citizens see them constantly, surely the police can.
  • Madison Ave & Lark St Albany, NY, 12210, USA - Center Square
    Please Madam Mayor, Chief of Police, BID Members, Neighborhood Association Presidents, and Council Representatives, HELP US. It's miserable in the Dana Ave., Lark, Madison, and Washington Park areas. The Motorcycle noise, loud car stereos and engines, and very dangerous driving by these vehicles, are ruining this area. We can't have our windows open for air. We can't sleep at night. We can't enjoy peace in our homes, or dine outside at area restaurants and it's also very dangerous. Children can't even play outside. These motorcycles, and many off-road vehicles, are speeding, doing wheelies, doing U-turns in the middle of traffic, driving into oncoming traffic, bullying other drivers, driving on the sidewalks, the grass, through the park playground and more. Why is this being allowed? We watch officers witness the behavior and not make any effort to address it, take a photo, take down a license number, NOTHING. When asked why, they say they've been told not to. Why is the safety and quality of life of so many people being put at risk for the possibility of a high speed chase that might never happen? It's absurd, negligent and dangerous.
  • Other Archived
    291 Lark St Albany NY 12210, United States - Center Square
    I'm tired of being harassed every time I leave my home When will the lark st BID, Kathy Sheehan and Gabriella Romero wake up and admit there is a very serious problem and come up with a REAL plan (put the 50 failed plan's behind us)? Lark st is the heart of our neighborhood and was a destination spot for many years Now people are afraid to visit and support our small business (that are failing) because of the crime, illegal drug use, open container drinking on every corner, vagrancy, aggressive panhandling, trash everywhere, etc there is no foot traffic anymore because you get harassed every 50 feet or you have to witness someone overdossing if lark st continues to fail, the neighborhoods will fail as well DO SOMETHING BEFORE ITS TOO LATE
  • Morris Street At Sefcu Albany, New York - Park South
    For six months, the residents of this area have asked the city to put a stop to AMC valets monopolizing residential parking on both sides of Morris, illegally parking on alternate parking days so we don't get street sweeping, and illegally and dangerously double parking their vehicles (blocking traffic flow) rather than use the parking garage as AMC leaderdhip promised the neighborhood. No one from the city will answer. Why is this allowed and why is no one giving us the courtesy of a response. If we were a higher income street this would have been stopped a long time ago.
  • Other Archived
    Lark Street And Madison Ave Albany 12210 United States - Center Square
    SOMETHING absolutely has to done about ATVs being driven through city streets at high speeds and disregarding traffic signals, etc. Around 7:45 tonight, a gang of 12 or more ATVs came blasting east on Madison Avenue with a number of them blasting right through the busy Lark/Madison/Delaware intersection. They were revving engines, doing wheelies, weaving in and out of a row of moving cars, speeding, and using both the east and westbound lanes. Some of these idiots (and that’s the politest word I can use for them) decided the sidewalk was theirs with several of them jumping the curbs and speeding down the sidewalk. One of them came within inches of a man walking down the odd side of the street -even hearing them coming gave him almost no time to get out of the way. And if I hadn’t already walked up my front steps seconds earlier, I probably would’ve have been hit and killed. An older person or someone with children or with mobility issues would not have been as fortunate as the young man and myself. I realize the police can’t risk a high speed chase with these ATV riders, but something HAS to be done. Someone will eventually be seriously hurt or killed because of these riders. I’ve heard them roaring through Park South, Hudson Park, and other adjacent neighborhoods all summer. I’ve seen one or two riders speed the wrong way on side streets. And there have been multiple complaints here on SeeClickFix this year. Calling the police after the fact doesn’t help - the gang that blasted down Madison tonight was long gone before I’d even turned my key in my door. But this problem needs to addressed before there is a tragedy. After tonight, enough is enough.
  • 300 Lark St Albany, NY, 12210, USA - Center Square
    There are people lighting off fireworks (loud ones) all night. Last night someone was lighting off M-80 type fireworks at 2 and 3 in the morning. I don't know how anyone is supposed to sleep and contribute to this neighborhood with hooliganism like that happening all hours. APD should be working to make this neighborhood a better place.