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About Us

• History

Exactly what is a BID?  "BID" is an acronym for Business Improvement District.  It is a special taxation district; an added tax on properties located within that district. 

The first BID in New York State, then called a Special Assessment District, was established in Syracuse in 1975.  Albany presently has three BIDs: the Downtown BID, the Central BID and the Lark Street BID.

The Lark Street Neighborhood District Management Association (Lark Street BID), a not-for-profit corporation, was incorporated in 1996 as a coalition of over 180 property owners united in their commitment to enhance the quality of life in the Lark Street Neighborhood. Since its inception the organization has worked to improve and promote the Lark Street Neighborhood through a variety of programs and services.

At the Lark Street BID we work to cultivate the creative energy and edge that makes Lark Street a premiere destination for entertainment, culture and urban life in the CapitalRegion.

• Our Mission

The Lark Street Neighborhood District Management Association is an independent not-for-profit organization that works to build, sustain and enhance a unique and prosperous living and business community for the residents, visitors and merchants of the Lark Street Neighborhood of Albany, NY.

At the Lark Street BID we provide core neighborhood services focused on Neighborhood Safety, Street Maintenance, Neighborhood Marketing, and Special Events and Promotions.

• Neighborhood Safety Program

One of the primary goals of the Lark Street BID is to improve Neighborhood Safety. The Neighborhood Safety Program coordinates services and public area improvements to provide additional safety measures to those who live, work, and visit this special part of the city.

The Lark Street BID funds and coordinates the Lark Street Walk n' Watch.  Neighborhood Watch Programs are one of the most effective ways to deter crime.  If you are interested in more information or volunteering to be a walker, please contact Lindsay at 434-3861or lindsay@larkstreet.org

• Neighborhood Marketing Program

Successful marketing of the Lark Street Neighborhood is an effective way of ensuring the continued growth and vitality of the unique community that characterizes Lark Street. The Neighborhood Marketing Program is designed to promote the continued occupancy of existing businesses and enhance the image of the District as a whole.

All Lark Street BID Merchant members are listed in the business directories on this website.  To add or update your business listing, please call (518) 434-3861 or bid@larkstreet.org to get your specific login username and password.

The Lark Street BID produces and distributes a quarterly "Lark-centric" newsletter.  If you have an article or event you would like to submit, please call (518) 434-3861 or bid@larkstreet.org.

• Special Events and Promotions Program

The Special Events coordinated by the Lark Street BID are enjoyed and coveted by the entire Capital Region and serve as major attractions to the neighborhood. Throughout the year our neighbors and visitors have several occasions to celebrate the dynamic Lark Street community in the heart of Albany.

The following annual events are presented by the Lark Street BID:

Champagne on the Park: May 8, 2008
A neighborhood and annual fundraiser for the Lark Street BID.  This year, the event will be held outside among the Formal Tulip Beds in Washington Park!
Fine champagne and a silent auction with something for everyone!

Art on Lark: June 21, 2008
A Street-wide Art Show and Sale celebrating local artists and musicians
People's Choice Art Show
Creative Chaos for the kid in everyone!

Monday Nights in the Park Concert Series
6 Mondays- July 14th through August 18th
At the Washington Park Amphitheatre from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

LarkFEST 2008
Saturday, September 20
Kick off your Hudson River Valley Ramble at the largest one day open air street festival in New York State

A Taste of Lark 'n Art
March and October, Dates TBA
A Lark Street Restaurant Week with participating restaurants presenting special $10 menus for the week

Lark or Treat,  October 31, 2008
Spend your Halloween in the Lark Street Neighborhood.
Free Hot Cocoa and face painting!

Winter WonderLARK: December 13, 2008
Shop, eat and stroll Lark Street for last minute holiday shopping with fun activities for the whole family.

• Street Maintenance and Beautification

Lark Street is a well traveled pedestrian commercial corridor.  The Lark Street BID employs year-round maintenance staff to help control the sidewalk and street litter, autumn leaves and to clear crosswalks in the winter.  In 2005, our maintenance staff clocked over 1,000 hours of service.

Every Spring the Lark Street BID and the City of Albany hang colorful baskets of flowers on the light poles and plant tulips in the sidewalk tree beds.  These tulips are replaced with seasonal flowers for the summer months.

The Lark Street BID works with the Central BID in the warmer months to keep all of the plantings, flowers and street trees adequately watered and healthy.

• Board of Directors and Meetings

The Lark Street BID has fifteen members on its Board of Directors. 

Twelve are elected by BID Members at the Annual Meeting in the following membership classes:

Class A: Commercial Property Owners

Class B: Residential Property Owners (at least one owner occupied)

Class C: Commercial Property Tenants

Class D: Residential Tenant

The remaining three seats are reserved for representatives of the Mayor, Albany City Council, and the City Comptrollers Office.

The Board of Directors meet on the first Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM in the BID Office at 245 Lark Street.  If you would like to present a concern or issue at an upcoming meeting, please call 434-3861 or e-mail bid@larkstreet.org 2 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date.

2008/09 Board of Directors:
President- Jeff Gritsavage (B)
Vice-President- Rob Curry, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (A)
Treasurer- Karen Waldron, Key Bank (C)
Secretary- James Linnan (A)

Jerry Aumand, Lionheart Blues Cafe (A)
Matthew Badalucco, Office of the Comptroller (E)
Maude Baum, eba Inc. (A)
Matt Baumgartner, Bombers Burrito (A)
Richard Berkley (B)
Erin Brewer, EB Essentials (C)

Richard Conti, Common Council(E)
Megan Daly, Albany Local Development Corp (E)
Kostandin (Dino) Kacani (A)
Donald H. Keenan, (D)
Lucia Prudencio, Dunkin Donuts (C)

Lark Street BID Staff

Michael Weidrich  Executive Director

Mary E. Spinelli    Director of Operations

Intern Program

The Lark Street BID has semester long internships throughout the year. Interested candidates may submit a letter of interest and a current resume to bid@larkstreet.org or mail:

Lark Street BID
245 Lark Street
Albany NY 12210
Re: Internship

Areas of concentration may include: graphic design, marketing, public relations, business management, arts management, and special event planning.

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©2004 Lark Street Neighborhood District Management Association