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| Midtown Grid gets facelift. |
Yesterday, the city announced that three businesses on this corner will receive facade grants as part of a matching program. New Yorker Pizzeria and Pasta, Pauly's Hotel, and The Low Beat will receive grant funds to fix up the exterior of their businesses, and add the street's revitalization efforts.
"These improvements will help small businesses build in the resurgence we're seeing in neighborhoods across the City," said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. "These were highly competitive grants, and we congratulate and thank those owners who invested their funds to make Albany's small business community even stronger.
John Mancini, who owns Pauly's Hotel, the oldest tavern in Albany, says the funds will help him fix the building's 100-plus year old masonry. The building, which was a former hotel and bar, has a facade on Central, and three additional storefronts along Quail. Mancini received $15,000 in funds, the max available because it's a corner property, and says the funds are greatly appreciated.
"With a building this age, on this busy street, keeping up its appearance is so important," says Mancini. "This will really brighten up this corner, and keep this historic building fresh and valuable."
Howard Glassman, who owns The Low Beat next door, also received funds to improve his building's exterior. He plans to remove the bars from the windows, which he says will improve the bar's overall appearance. "I hope people see it, and it pops a little more," says Glassman. He says he hopes it will make the business even more approachable.
Hayat Ullah, the owner of New Yorker Pizzeria and Pasta is undertaking major renovations on the opposite corner, transforming his pizza and pasta restaurant into a more dine-in friendly location, and adding apartments to the building's upper floors. He will use the grant funds to help keep the project affordable.
The funding comes at a time when this area is experiencing a resurgence. Much attention has been given to The Midtown Grid, the arts and entertainment district that is spreading out around this intersection. Most recently, the area was featured in a story in the Times Union 518Life magazine.
"I hope this helps improve the value of the neighborhood, and encourages more growth around me," says Mancini.
