albany new_york albany capital state new_york seat roughly miles north new_york_city albany developed west bank hudson_river miles south confluence population according census albany constitutes economic cultural core comprises albany including nearby cities suburbs census estimated population populous metropolitan region state 38th united_states fortune companies headquarters albany include general_electric key bank stores 21st century emerged major anchor moniker describing focused region eastern european settlement state settled dutch colonists built fur trading formed successful relations peoples major native american nations region fur trade attracted settlers founded village called near fort orange english took dutch settlements renaming city albany honor duke albany future england james vii scotland city officially chartered english rule capital following united_states gaining independence american revolutionary war albany oldest surviving settlements original british thirteen colonies longest continuously chartered city united_states charter possibly longest running instrument municipal government late 18th century 19th albany center trade transportation located north end hudson_river original eastern terminus connecting great lakes home earliest railroad systems world albany main exports time beer lumber published works beginning albany populous cities united_states distinction held census albany cities world installed public water sewer lines natural gas lines electricity infrastructure utilities attracted supported substantial new industry city surrounding area 19th century 20th century city opened commercial airports world precursor today albany international airport 1920s powerful political machine controlled democratic_party arose state capital connected politics new_york_city power immigrants descendants cities city skyline changed 1940s 1950s construction office towers campus mainly direction governor albany experienced decline population urban historic neighborhoods saved destruction policies mayor 2nd longest serving mayor city united_states early 21st century albany experienced growth high technology industry great sector albany center higher education century remainder economy dependent state government health care services city rebounded urban decline 1970s 1980s noticeable development taking place city downtown neighborhoods albany known rich history commerce culture architecture institutions higher education albany won history colonial times albany oldest surviving european settlements original thirteen colonies longest continuously chartered city united_states hudson_river area originally inhabited speaking called meaning fireplace nation based west speaking referred pine woods referring path took strong trading partners dutch english likely albany area visited european fur traders early extent duration visits determined permanent european claims began englishman exploring half moon dutch reached area claiming built fur trading post documented european structure present day albany commencement fur trade provoked hostility french colony canada natives control trade flood ruined fort rebuilt fort orange forts named honor dutch royal surrounding area incorporated village english beaver district early decades trade dutch developed relations reflected differences cultures captured english changed albany honor later england james vii scotland duke albany scottish title given generally younger son king scots ultimately derived scotland dutch briefly regained albany august renamed city english took permanent possession treaty westminster november split counties largest time county included present north counties addition present day vermont theoretically stretching west pacific_ocean city albany county seat albany formally chartered municipality provincial governor july virtually identical content charter awarded city new_york months earlier created albany strip land mile wide miles long years albany lose land west annex land north south point albany population people representatives seven british north american colonies met albany city hall pennsylvania presented formal proposal unite colonies adopted parliament important precursor united_states_constitution year french indian war fourth series wars dating began ended french defeat resolving situation constant threat albany held growth colonies midst revolutionary war home political arm local revolutionary movement took operation albany government eventually expanded power control prisoners war jailed alongside common criminals albany native signed declaration independence independence hall philadelphia revolutionary war saw great increase real estate transactions win upper generally peace war prosperity soon seen upstate new york migrants vermont connecticut began flowing noting advantages living hudson trading albany days sail new_york_city albany reported population national census increase state capital new_york moved permanently albany date legislature frequently moved state capital albany kingston city new_york albany tenth oldest state capital united_states second oldest state capital city new_mexico albany center transportation history late 18th early 19th centuries albany saw development albany center state developed grid block system renamed streets birds mammals previously honored british royalty grid major coming albany cut city unexpected angles construction state conjunction canal railroad systems albany hub transportation pioneers going buffalo mid-19th century initiated line new_york albany successful enterprise kind people albany 10th largest urban place nation town village known north albany annexed canal completed forming continuous water route great lakes new_york_city unlike current ends nearby original ended albany lock located north canal emptied acre man called albany main port port albany opened working professor widely regarded foremost american scientist 19th century built electric motor years later discovered electromagnetic self induction unit henry went secretary albany ranked 9th largest urban place nation 10th time city largest urban places nation albany significant history rail transport location major regional railroad headquarters delaware hudson railway headquartered albany noted industrialist albany mayor consolidated railroads stretching albany buffalo headquartered albany moved new_york_city companies formed hudson railroad railroad state successful steam railroad running regularly scheduled service country key albany economic prosperity 19th century transportation industry business played role largely thanks city dutch german roots beer biggest originally known quinn mayor albany remaining time closed city location east end gave access raw products captive customer base west albany known publishing houses extent albany second boston number books produced 19th century iron north south ends city brought thousands immigrants city day intricate wrought iron details older buildings iron industry waned 1890s increased costs associated newly workforce opening mines minnesota albany major exports 18th 19th centuries wheat meat lumber saw mills albany area albany lumber district largest lumber market nation city home number banks second chartered bank new_york city original home founded founded founded originally founded albany express mail business northwestern portion albany west magazine street annexed neighboring town town refused annexation said territory return loss portions added albany land annexed ceded albany setting current western border albany opened commercial airports world municipal airport united_states originally located polo field road moved remained jointly owned city county moved current location mayor sold city stake airport county citing budget issues known massive upgrade modernization project albany international airport albany northern southern borders reached modern courses south second annexation occurred present day 2nd arguably albany notable mayor great grandson mayor elected longest serving city united_states history death historian describes tenure long years short accomplishments cited preference maintaining status quo factor held potential progress tenure brought stability office mayor said admire greatly come sizable list major concrete achievements given credit saving albeit somewhat unintentionally albany historic architecture 1950s 1960s time federal aid urban renewal plentiful albany growth economy infrastructure lost percent population years people moved newer housing suburbs followed downtown businesses moving cities country similar issues problems albany interference democratic political machine hindered progress considerably governor tried stimulate city monumental architecture large government sponsored building projects drove construction campus republican chairman governor best mayor albany opposed project responsible negotiating payment plan want limited legislature power purse devised plan county pay construction state sign lease ownership agreement state paid bonds viable option agreed gained situation able convention center restaurant plans ideas originally vetoed county gained million fees city received million lost tax revenue having state offices located city enabled good jobs major project 1960s 1970s interstate construction began early 1960s project main results regretted separating city hudson_river source development described respect use waterfront influence change location cuts city original plan came fruition wanted pass project required underground trumpet interchange connecting eventually cancelled day evidence original plan visible hamlet annexation city taken town died assumed reelected twice encouraged redevelopment historic structures helped attract federal dollars purpose saved destruction refurbished continued new uses created effort increase number festivals artistic events city including year long celebration credited cycle commercial investment development albany aggressive business development programs prior recession 1990s downtown albany home fortune companies death retirement congressman political environment changes long term office holders rare 1980s local media began following drama surrounding county politics specifically newly created county executive position loss eventually machine led lack interest city politics election surprise served mayor retirement end tenure essentially ended political machine place 1920s 1990s approved million albany plan building renovation project ambitious building project affect area era albany plan renovation new building projects initiated downtown area state workers relocated downtown helping retail businesses decade 21st century progress long discussed controversial august authorized state legislature purchased land needed build downtown project geography albany located miles north new_york_city hudson_river total area square miles km2 square miles km2 land square miles km2 water city bordered north town village west town south town hudson_river represents city eastern border northern border kill southern border major streams city exist diverted underground 19th century lakes city limits buckingham lake mouth formed reservoir connected formed beaver kill highest natural point albany near birch hill road feet sea level lowest point sea level hudson_river average water elevation feet technically estuary albany affected atlantic tide interior albany consists rolling hills area pitch pine oak arid sandy soil remnant ancient development pine bush original acres today preserve set located western edge city sizable inland pine sand ecosystem united_states home endangered species including butterfly climate albany located humid continental climate zone climate classification cold snowy winters hot wet summers city experiences distinct seasons albany located plant zone near downtown shore hudson western end albany receives inches rain year days precipitation year snowfall significant totaling inches annually accumulation lake effect areas north west albany close atlantic coast receive heavy snow city occasionally receives alberta winters cold fluctuating conditions temperatures drop nights summers albany contain stretches excessive heat humidity temperatures days year record temperature extremes range january july crime new_york effective statewide crime rate people albany violent crime rate nearly par rochester violent crimes population rochester lower buffalo comparison new_york_city violent crime rate neighborhoods albany neighborhoods varied geographically historically downtown albany city oldest neighborhood centered state street albany oldest streets original main street today downtown consists office buildings inhabited state agencies recent push bring permanent residents led proposed apartments north south downtown old residential communities consisting row houses north south super neighborhood south end consists multitude smaller neighborhoods including mansion district delaware avenue neighborhoods tend minorities lower income residents western sections city west downtown effectively cuts downtown neighborhoods center square street collectively referred mid town neighborhoods compared new_york_city eclectic mix residential commercial uses including bars night clubs restaurants unique stores albany gay culture vibrant area block area surrounding new scotland avenue undergoing urban renewal existing housing units removed renovated new office commercial apartment buildings added new construction includes expansion largest employers albany nearby united campus consisting albany college western neighborhoods delaware avenue tend larger lots suburban surroundings eastern section popular living choice college students proximity campuses west neighborhoods affluent dominated exclusively single family dwellings neighborhoods campus closely resemble neighboring areas suburban towns downtown parts city west main campus parks recreation albany public parks recreation areas organized current location public property charter gave city title property privately owned designed opened public use following year original lake house designed added park previously cemetery graves moved albany rural cemetery popular place exercise play sports winter people watch attend plays summer parks albany include preserve pine bush southwest organized originally known beaver park today park pool open summer months buckingham lake park route buckingham pond neighborhood contains pond playground picnic tables preserve seat hosts events non winter months notably alive summer concert series preserve visitors center details ecology hudson_river local environment park bike trail boat launch effectively separated downtown interstate opening public parks include today small circular grassy patch downtown hudson avenue albany oldest park municipal golf course albany constructed later renamed albany architecture collection state agency office buildings dominates view albany built hand governor architect complex powerful example late american modern architecture remains controversial building project displacing city residents architectural style recognizable aspect complex tallest building new_york outside new_york_city north end plaza 19th century capitol seat home governor office albany initial architecture incorporated dutch influences followed soon english dutch colonial brick mansion built georgian style mansion built oldest building currently standing albany van house hudson avenue albany housing varies greatly row houses older sections town closer river housing type quickly changes travels westward beginning family homes late 19th century family homes built world war western end city designed opened capitol opened years construction cost million making expensive government building time albany major design construction time opened styled opened washington avenue near capitol classical exterior features block long white marble 1920s brought movement illustrated alfred smith building albany tallest high rises architecture 1960s 1970s represented city especially state office building campus 1950s 1960s campus state office campus planned 1950s governor offer parking easier access state employees campus built 1960s governor site city owned popular open campus layout centralized building layout administrative classroom buildings center surrounded student housing towers design called use concrete glass style slender round topped columns pillars reminiscent new_york_city downtown seen revival recent decades considered begun renovation corporate headquarters originally slated suburban instead built downtown opened development downtown includes construction headquarters broadway building iconic green dome broadway headquarters state street pedestrian bridge connecting broadway broadway privately owned downtown office building generation demographics city immigrants historically albany population mixed dominated dutch germans overtaken english early 19th century irish immigrants soon outnumbered mid-19th century followed italians poles mid late 20th century saw rise african american population historian puts dutch yankee german irish polish italian black chinese centuries albany heritage reflected succession immigrant streets echoed dozen languages neighborhoods adapting distinctive life style changing economic fortunes new group revolution albany population consisted ethnic dutch descendants settlers moving new_england tipped balance british ethnicity early 19th century jobs canals railroads brought floods irish immigrants early 19th century especially 1840s irish potato famine city irish base albany elected irish catholic mayor years boston polish italian immigrants began arriving albany wave immigration 19th century numbers smaller eastern cities mainly found manufacturing jobs general_electric jewish community jewish members community saw rise population late 19th century jews immigrated eastern europe period influx chinese east asian immigrants settled downtown section city descendants moved suburban areas immigration halted immigration act albany destination internal migration african americans moved north great migration rural south world war fill industrial positions percentage black community grown substantially african americans percent population percent percent percent change proportion related middle class white families moving suburbs black families remaining city limits time period growing number refugees karen ethnicity estimate residing albany modern overview census people residing city population census area estimated population density square mile housing units average density square mile units vacant racial makeup city residents white black african american native american native asian native hawaiian pacific races races total population hispanic latino race population compared census ancestry groups city irish italian german english polish population reported albany home language speaking community mexican americans population age years age older median age years females males females age males population completed high school earned diploma households children age living married couples living female husband present non families households individuals living years age older average household size average family size median income household city median income family male year round worker female year round worker capita income city families population poverty line including age age rate reported violent crimes incidents residents double rate similarly sized cities reported property crimes incidents residents somewhat lower speaking population albany mirrors characteristics united_states consumer population better major municipality country according study conducted albany ranked standard test market new business retail products albany rochester syracuse scored culture entertainment albany geographic situation roughly new_york_city south montreal north approximately hours east buffalo hours west boston makes convenient stop nationally touring artists acts egg provide mid sized forums music theater spoken word performances filling small sized niche serves city largest musical venue nationally internationally prominent bands hosts trade shows sporting events large scale community gatherings praise cultural contributions albany greater suggest city cultural identity crisis massive geography need car driving time experience area offer necessity seen larger metropolitan areas like new_york boston recent years city government invested resources venues neighborhoods attract hours business madison avenue delaware avenue street serve active entertainment areas city restaurants clubs bars opened mid-1990s numerous areas abandoned establishments reclaimed old row houses businesses pump station bar scene generally incorporates main strips downtown scene focused pearl street stretching blocks past business district street strip home smaller bars fit neighborhood artistic eclectic style lastly strip bars located western centers campuses downtown campus strip generally draws younger crowd popular local college students albany nightly new_york law sets time state default counties set earlier time individual municipalities half state counties earlier closing time counties retained time festivals festival albany largest festivals set celebrates city dutch heritage traditional albany event marks beginning spring thousands bloom park early attendance festival approximately alive free weekly concert series held downtown summer concerts total attendance roughly price fabulous fourth fireworks festival empire state plaza celebrates independence day musical performances region largest fireworks display run women kilometer run city draws participants country annual event began arts annual festival hosts people days festival showcases craft beer pavilion competitions signature chef rising star chef grand gala reception featuring albany net proceeds held thursday saturday preceding smaller events include august empire state plaza held august preserve albany jazz festival annual end summer event held preserve music art festival held fall festival major gay pride event held june popular night celebrating new year holiday december replaced declining interest occurs year december museums historic sites albany historical political significance city numerous museums historical buildings historic districts albany home facilities located south end empire state plaza free public uss decommissioned world war destroyer escort restored museum ship docked hudson_river street ship kind afloat located corner clinton avenue broadway square hosts museum gift shop early opened downtown albany museum home exhibits highlighting contributions irish people america art located washington avenue near center square neighborhood state capitol dedicated collecting preserving interpreting promoting interest history art culture albany region museum notable permanent exhibits include extensive collection paintings exhibit featuring institute albany home listings national_register_of_historic_places national historic landmarks federal style mansion later renovated greek revival style built mayor albany currently historic house museum headquarters added later known hill gave current neighborhood literature film albany subject inspiration location written cinematic works non fiction works written city city notable claims fame pulitzer prize winning book albany native series books kennedy known albany cycle elusive author grew albany wrote pearl street neighborhood pearl street book considered semi autobiographical memoir author wicked life times wicked witch west inspiration broadway hit wicked grew graduated film version premiered palace theatre movie starred nominated academy_awards performances filming location albany recently downtown area site filming action thriller salt starring action comedy guys starring lived albany heroine james novel portrait lady albany education operates city public school system consists schools learning centers addition charter schools school year students enrolled public school system district average class size percent graduation rate percent rate district budget million considered state lowest achieving high schools new_york albany high listed nation best high school washington_post report albany number private schools including boys girls albany prominent history higher education ranked forbes survey called best places best education ranked forbes campuses list cheap places live series private today founded private oldest law school new_york fourth oldest country opened president alumnus private second oldest school new_york fifteenth oldest united_states oldest teachers colleges united_states opened later known eventually evolved known public inherited original downtown campus western avenue center campus moved current west end city unit university centers system colleges universities albany include sage college albany nearby fills community college niche albany area effect campuses city population substantial combining student bodies aforementioned campuses results students percent estimate albany permanent population economy albany economy general heavily dependent government health care education recently technology typically steady economic bases local economy relatively immune national economic past percent city population works government related positions current recession difficult deal issues wall street state government receives tax revenue march albany area lowest unemployment rate major metropolitan area new_york compared new_york albany estimated daytime population companies based albany include harbour 2000s economy albany surrounding high technology focus marketing eastern encompassing albany originated promote greater albany area high tech competitor regions boston grown represent counties extending counties plants south canadian border north area high technology ecosystem supported focused academic institutions including encompasses counties sides heavy state experienced significant growth computer hardware high technology industry great sector digital electronics design electricity dependent integrated circuit manufacturing albany area listed fourth annual best cities jobs list noting job losses state local government overcome expansion high tech field government albany mayor council form government currently functions charter adopted charter completely original 17th century effort effect new charter applied strictly amendment meaning technically effect giving albany distinction having oldest active city charter united_states arguably longest running instrument municipal government mayor elected years heads executive branch city government current mayor elected replaced mayor mayor years represents legislative branch city government council members elected ward large president current president began term january albany city government seat county formation capital new_york city home branches county state governments albany city hall sits eagle street opposite state capitol state street state government offices scattered city albany 20th congressional district represented united_states house_of_representatives city represented united states senate state level city 44th district new_york senate represented western portion city district represented eastern portion district represented iii seat city location county courts including supreme_court albany site united_states district court new_york courthouse politics albany politics dominated democratic_party 1920s daniel established political machine city election mayor prior william billy barnes set republican machine 1890s barnes success attributed fact owned newspapers albany grandson influential newspaper publisher political boss organization overcame barnes survived 1980s death machine forth candidates electorate voted instances votes outright bought uncommon machine buy poor folks loyalty trust upset democratic mayoral primary democratic_party formal endorsement recently county chairman cited end era albany albany continues dominated democratic_party enrollment city compared republican enrollment gives democrats advantage general election elected city position held democrat november woman elected mayor albany religious life like cities comparable age size albany established orthodox christian roman catholic protestant jewish communities albany home oldest christian congregation upstate new york christian june churches religious buildings city listed national_register_of_historic_places state street established congregation church albany reformed known located second oldest cathedral conception eagle street madison avenue built cathedral diocese led south swan street street built cathedral episcopal diocese led city home catholic churches episcopal churches significant jewish presence existed albany early today includes conservative orthodox reform albany home outside israel city membership exact numbers religious denominations albany readily available demographic statistics united_states depend heavily ask religious affiliation census national statewide religious statistics representative city size albany report offers religious according data residents identified christian roman catholic mainline evangelical eastern oriental orthodox christians residents practice judaism population muslims represent note values county wide city values significantly different media albany primary daily newspaper based close city headquarters moved city limits suburban 1960s dispute mayor land needed expansion circulation totals sundays serving albany lesser degree based record alternative area publishing thursday business weekly published friday weekly newspaper focuses exclusively issues related legislature state government albany media market 63rd largest country terms radio 57th largest terms television audiences broadcast market historical significance pioneering influence general_electric directly contributed area emerging birthplace station based television station affiliate nbc region home independently owned operated commercial radio station united_states second commercial radio station new_york twelfth nation home abc affiliate cbs affiliate operating affiliate fox affiliate nbc affiliate operating affiliate hosts area local hour news channel area numerous radio stations transportation interstate north connects albany car canada continues quebec linking albany montreal interstate connects albany buffalo boston respectively use partially fully south albany ends interstate albany literally creating junction buffalo boston montreal new_york interstate links albany way route connects offering residents direct albeit route albany rush hour albany long important hudson_river port today serves domestic international ships barges port albany located sides river port largest mobile harbor crane state new_york ultimate successor use today largely tourist private boats closure area passenger rail service provided amtrak albany station station saw passengers making amtrak second busiest new_york new_york low cost bus service albany campus station provided direct service new_york_city albany nearest airport albany international airport major service albany local fixed base operator albany highest average new_york mile cost busiest routes second lowest state provides bus service albany surrounding area including city served urban service maintained american cities advent automobile light rail services declined albany replaced bus taxi services lines short line vermont buses serve downtown terminal provides commuter service sports albany major league professional sports teams minor league teams low support minor league team currently active albany ice hockey team moved city season play affiliated replaced played relocated charlotte north_carolina played second team originally known albany conquest later played developmental league short season minor league baseball team played joseph stadium campus prior arrival albany diamond dogs played heritage park financial pressures facing impending competition franchise folded local basketball team play basketball teams played folded financial problems large number local colleges universities albany college sports popular currently play division level sports football team member sports teams play members affiliated school send team hosted new_york_giants training camp seen rise popularity men basketball team march madness saints teams division play campus nearby men basketball team plays center sister cities albany official sister city agreements twin city relationships city netherlands connected albany following world war help catholic university albany rebuilt partly destroyed library books donated dutch university gratitude post war assistance city sent albany act led establishment annual festival connections 1980s mayor term office cultural expansion program official sister cities nassau bahamas netherlands quebec russia italy additional twin city relationships region spain
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