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Lights on Lark: Update

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Aug 15, 2012 14 Comments

So good news.

I spoke with the City of Albany, and they are asking me to put together a proposal for the plan to put those amazingly beautiful, romantic lights back up on Lark Street.

Now, I know a lot of people say that they miss those lights.  But are there a lot of people who prefer to NOT have the lights up?

Before I start putting this proposal together, does it seem like something that makes sense to improve Lark Street?  I mean, I think so.   But you never know.

The plan is to find a way to put beautiful string lights on Lark Street that are cost effect, non-invasive to the property owners / tenants on the street, are easy to maintain, and overall… make Lark Street look beautiful and enticing.

Am I missing something?

My brother Steven, who is an environmental engineer, recommend that I contact the architectural / engineering who handled the Lark St. renovation project a few years back, and work with them since they are familiar with the mechanicals of the street.

Are there any other suggestions you think should be brought to the table.

Also, this is not a guarantee that this will happen.  I appreciate that the City of Albany is even willing to hear the idea.

p.s. Lark Street BID, I would never even consider moving forward with this without getting your approval.   



Comments

  • Amy
    Aug 15, 2012 at 8:55 am

    I’m excited to see this happen, and excited that you’ve even made it this far (and I don’t even live on Lark. I’m a full 3 blocks away). Consider me the start of your cheering section, I suppose.

  • the Original Colleen
    Aug 15, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Are you going to put them on the houses, like the photo above shows, or are you going to attach them to the telephone poles and/or the lighting structures? Who will foot the bill for said lights and their replacements, consider a sponsor for each string and/or section to ensure continuity of committment. Also, will you be changing the color during the Holidays like you do in Wolff’s Biergarten, if so who is the changer of said bulbs going to be?

  • Benjamin
    Aug 15, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Indianapolis did something like this in the short north district

  • Benjamin
    Aug 15, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    I mean Columbus: http://shortnorth.org/popular-links/photo-gallery

  • Rich
    Aug 15, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    Matt, I don’t know if there will be enough time to for you, the city, and supporters to get everything set up by the winter holidays, but doing it during this time frame would be an excellent opportunity to nab two birds with one stone. Firstly, it would be a great chance to add a festive ambiance to Lark Street around the holidays. Secondly, it would serve as a good opportunity to pilot “Lights on Lark,” witnessing what the challenges are, showcasing the concept to those on the fence, and marshaling support to continue it/expand it going into 2013 as a permanent fixture if the community likes how it turned out. Again, only three months till Thanksgiving, so I don’t know if it can be put together that quickly, but it would be fabulous if it can.

  • Jv
    Aug 15, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    First thing I would do is see if lowes/hd/Walmart/target would donate the lights and or pay for the electric. Hey they might even put them up. Anything you can do to save people (the city) money will get their attention. I think this

  • Jv
    Aug 15, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Is a great idea and would totally support it regardless of sponsorship. It looks and feels so cozy and welcoming.

  • Ronibisquits
    Aug 16, 2012 at 10:27 am

    Please be sure that emergency vehicles that may be tall have the space to get by….

  • Jessica R
    Aug 16, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I have the same question as Colleen – would these be above the street like in your picture, or in the trees/on lamp posts around the area? Seems like the latter would be much easier. They have lights like this up in Troy – maybe you can call City Hall and find out who is responsible for maintenance/costs, and then asked them what to expect.

  • Amanda
    Aug 17, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    I am moving from River Street in Troy over to Albs this month, but this winter when they put up all the lights on River Street it looked so beautiful and phenomenal. I wondered why they weren’t left on all year long. I think that it would be awesome to have Lark Street lit up all year. It would compliment the beauty of Lark Street just like it did River Street this winter.

    I’m wondering if there is a way to have the lights be solar powered. They are going to have to be plugged into some type of power source, maybe there is a way to make that power source solar. That would save the businesses on board money in the long run (once the solar panel or whatever was paid for), and be eco friendly.

    You could install a mini windmill on the roof of Bombers! (just kidding).

    I cannot fathom why anyone would protest this project. I lived in the neighborhood a few years ago and while I loved it, I think the lights would be nothing but an improvement.

  • Mike
    Aug 18, 2012 at 10:48 am

    I bet NYSERDA would be willing to get involved with potential incentives, technical assistance, etc. Here’s a place to start. Note the Albany County contact. Good Luck!

    http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/en/Programs/Community-Outreach/~/media/Files/EERP/Energy%20Smart%20Communities/GENESC-fs.ashx

  • Brandon
    Aug 18, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    if they are the those stop-you-dead LEDs…why bother, I say

  • pull my finger
    Aug 19, 2012 at 5:44 am

    Matt, maybe you can yank the mayor out of his tanning booth and help him with Pearl St. Whaddya’ think. you have been a real mover and shaker with regards to eclectic dining and drinking establishments.

  • Chris
    Aug 19, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    This was great at larimer square in Denver. Maybe start small and try it for the holidays and then join the rest of the albanians that leave their lights up year long. Maye lbid can put together a campaign for solar panels to offset the energy costs?

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