No great surprises here. Except in the area of abandoned properties, where there's a clear and detailed set of steps, it's more like a set of priorities to focus on than suggestions of how to go about addressing those priorities, but, hey, focus is good.
The overwhelming message, as phrased in the executive summary is that Albany has a lot going for it (more than most similar cities, really), and its challenges are real, but are things that other places have handled, so it's basically going to be leadership and the ability to overcome our fragmentation, and make coordinated connections—between institutions, areas of the city—that's going to determine how well the city moves forward.
This is, of course, interesting to hear outsiders say. And it is, of course, good news and bad news. Good news in that it says it's quite possible to make things a lot better. Bad news in that one can't just write leadership and connections and cooperation into the zoning code and make them happen.
However, perhaps some of the proposals in here—especially the abandoned properties steps, downtown housing, coordinated planning between institutions, and some of the more individual transportation and open space and neighborhood planning recommendations—will inspire folks and can be nodes around which to practice coming together, forging consensus, and getting something done.
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