CIREB holds January marketing session hosted by TL Metzger

CIREB's January Marketing Session was hosted by TL Metzger & Associates at the National Savings Bank building located at 90 State St. in the downtown area. Mayor Gerald Jennings spoke to the membership. Jennings spoke of the challenging times, also stating that unemployment in the area is the lowest in the state. Stressing the need for new incentives for economic development, the downtown area will push for more retail and residential housing. Jennings mentioned many redevelopment projects, among them will be State St., Delaware Ave. and Phase II of the riverfront revitalization. The past several years have been ones of remarkable growth and accomplishment in the city. It's vision of building one of America's great capital cities is coming to fruition at an ever-rapid pace. Thanks to state leaders, movement has begun on the convention center. And, through the efforts of the volunteers committed to the ReCapitalize Albany program, they have re-dedicated themselves to seeking economic development solutions, which will help the city grow, while focusing attention on educational institutions and neighborhoods. The city boasts seven colleges or universities awarding degrees in such diverse fields as business, education, medicine, and law. As the capital of NYS, the city is involved in education to a degree not too often attained by a city of its size. For instance, the city is the headquarters of the State Education Department. Moreover, located at the Empire State Plaza is the Cultural Education Center that houses the State Museum, Library and Archives. Looking ahead to 2009 the city will join the entire Hudson Valley in observing the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage on the Half Moon up the river. The city will also recognize the travels of Robert Fulton's steamboat Clermont which was the first steamboat to travel from the city to New York using steam power. In a recent article posted by Forbes, the city was listed as one of the top 25 strongest housing markets, along with Syracuse and Buffalo. Also speaking to the membership was Pamela Tobin, executive director of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID). The BID represents an area of 50 square blocks bounded on the north by Clinton Ave., on the south by Madison Ave., on the east by Broadway and on the west by Eagle St. The Downtown Albany BID is an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1996. The organization partners with businesses, property owners, arts and cultural institutions, social service providers, government agencies and elected officials in a united effort to revitalize the downtown area. January's marketing session was held at 90 State St., where there are currently suites available ranging from 600 to 12,000 s/f. Plans are currently in the works for a fitness center to be constructed on the building's 2nd floor. There will be men's and women's locker rooms with showers, lockers and bathrooms. The fitness center will feature all new state of the art equipment and will look out over downtown's bustling State St. In addition to the new fitness center there will be a shared conference room and a kitchenette constructed on the second floor. The conference room will comfortably accommodate 45 people. These two new building additions will be incorporated in the tenant's base rent and will be at no additional cost. Upcoming Marketing Sessions CIREB's upcoming marketing sessions include the following: * Thursday February 5 will be hosted by Vanguard Fine at the Wolf Rd. Shoppers Park. CIREB has invited Michael Tucker, president of the Center for Economic Growth to speak. * Thursday March 5 to be hosted by The Howard Group. * Thursday April 2 to be hosted by Picotte Companies. * Thursday May 7 to be hosted by Omni Development. CIREB holds its monthly marketing sessions on the first Thursday of each month and are free to all CIREB members. Guests may attend these sessions at a cost of $10 per person. If you would like to attend a marketing session or join CIREB, please call Kelly Pierce at (518) 464-0194 or visit www.CIREB.com for more information. TL Metzger & Associates is a full service real estate brokerage firm with two distinct teams specializing in commercial and residential real estate services, bringing clients experts in both worlds. With over 30 years of real estate experience throughout N.Y.'s Capital Region, TL Metzger uses their mastery of the local market to help clients make the right decisions. Our involvement at the pulse of the area, on economic development boards, in regional chambers of commerce, in local industry chapters, in the Tech Valley initiative -- gives us advance notice of breaking trends, new building standards and development incentives which benefits our clients. TL Metzger is known for utilizing the latest technology to maximize marketing opportunities while providing super-responsive service with a global reach. For more information visit www.tlmetzger.com