LARK ST.

& CENTER SQUARE

MYTH VS. FACT
Myth:
Fact:

ReZone will require all Lark St. and Center Square businesses to close at 11PM.
Under the current zoning, all businesses within the C-1 district (which
encompasses most of Lark Street) are required to close by 11PM unless they
obtain a special use permit. Under the proposed ReZone plan, businesses can be
open until 2AM by right.

Myth:

ReZone is ignoring the Lark St. businesses that are currently allowed to remain
open until 4AM.
Meetings to gather input are happening throughout the city. Options to allow
the grandfathering of current businesses to remain open until 4AM are being
considered, with input from both businesses and residents.

Fact:

Myth:
Fact:

ReZone is ignoring Center Square businesses like Palais Royale, Center Square
Pub, and New Madison Grille. They will be forced to close at 11PM.
No matter what the final ReZone Plan looks like, none of these businesses will be
forced to close at 11PM.

Myth:
Fact:

ReZone does nothing to expand commercial opportunities in the Lark St. area.
Current zoning for commercial spaces limits business operations to the
basement and first floor and requires they close by 11PM. The proposed ReZone
would remove the restriction for commercial use on upper floors - expanding
economic opportunity and providing certainty to investors who invest in the
district. In addition, the commercial area of lark Street has been expanded, again
providing additional investment opportunities in the area.

Myth:

ReZone Albany is currently being reviewed by the City of Albany Common

Council, and therefore I should attend Common Council meetings to ensure
changes are made to the ReZone Albany plan before they are approved.
ReZone Albany is a working draft, managed by the City of Albany Department of
Planning & Development. While attending a Common Council meeting and
voicing your opinions is always encouraged, if you want to ensure your concerns
are heard before the document is published and put before the Common
Council, please email your comments rezone@albanyny.gov. This is the only way
the City can review those comments prior to sending the proposed final plan to
the Common Council.

Fact: