Lark Street Business Improvement District
Art on Lark, LarkFEST, Winter WonderLark, 1st Friday, Taste of Lark
Apr 30, 2009
The Lark Street Business Improvement District is one of three BIDs in Albany NY and was initiated in 1996 to support and enhance the retail Lark Street district. The property owners within the designated district are assessed a special tax by the city which is returned to the BID to carry out its mission.
As a not-for-profit organization, Lark Street BID has two full-time employees and is governed by a 15 member Board of Directors comprised of :
- Commercial Property Owners
- Residential Property Owners
- Commercial Property Tenants
- Residential Tenants
- Representatives from Mayor's office, Albany Common Council and City Comptrollers office
Lark Street Business Improvement District Improves Neighborhood
Along with organizing major events, the Lark Street BID also plays an important role in the well-being and quality of life for residents in the neighborhood by funding and coordinating the Lark Street Walk n' Watch, a citizen-participation neighborhood safety program.
The BID also enhances the cleanliness and beautification of the neighborhood by employing a maintenance staff to clean up litter, clear sidewalks in winter, and in cooperation with the city, maintain colorful baskets of cascading flowers on the lamp posts during the summer.
Lark Street BID markets the business district to help maintain occupancy of existing retail space with the Neighborhood Marketing Program. There is also a list of merchants and business services on the BID website and a published quarterly newsletter.
Champagne on the Park, LarkFEST, Art on Lark & More
Each year the Lark Street BID sponsors and coordinates the following events:
- Champagne on the Park- this major fundraiser for the BID is held the evening before the opening of the Tulip Festival in Washington Park. Using the large tent set up for the festival in the beautifully manicured tulip gardens, it is a festive event attended by 400-500 people, with food from some of the best restaurants in the area, champagne, a dance floor and jazz dance band. Thursday, May 7, 2009.
- Art on Lark- an annual art festival is increasing in popularity with an attendance of 30,000. The 8+ blocks of Lark Street are closed to traffic and artists and crafts people set up booths. All the arts are represented with musical and theatrical performances as well as art installations and a children's art making space. Saturday, June 6, 2009.
- LarkFEST- the largest street fair in the capital region, began 28 years ago as a sidewalk sale by local merchants and has grown to a festival that attracts 80,000 people with 5 stages of free entertainment and plentiful food vendors. Saturday, September 19, 2009.
- Taste of Lark Restaurant Week- participating restaurants present special $10-$20 menus for the week so people can sample the many restaurants in the district. September 21-26, 2009
- Lark or Treat - Halloween in the Lark Street Neighborhood. October 31, 2009.
- Winter WonderLark- an annual winter event held before the holidays includes the Santa Speedo Sprint (yes, chubby Santas dressed in Speedo swimsuits race down the street on a cold winter day in upstate NY), gingerbread house making, musicians and performers on the street. Saturday, December 12, 2009.
Lark Street BID Executive Director
Michael Weidrich has been instrumental in the development and evolution of arts and cultural events for several years. Prior to his position as Executive Director of the Lark Street BID, Weidrich was Gallery Director of Romaine Brooks Gallery. He is also Vice President of Upstate Artists Guild where he spearheaded the now thriving monthly arts event, 1st Friday.
In its third year, 1st Friday has grown from its humble beginnings with 3 galleries coordinating their art openings, to monthly art strolls throughout the expanded uptown and downtown area that includes 35 galleries and exhibit spaces and attracts 1000-2000 people each month, all year round. 1st Friday is administered by the Upstate Artists Guild and coordinated by Weidrich.
Weidrich was recently named to The Business Review's 40 Under 40 in Albany, that honors 40 business leaders under the age of 40 who have made a significant contribution to the region.
It takes a strong organization and board, with dynamic individuals to create and sustain a vital Business Improvement District. Lark Street BID has done this, and the city is seeing an enhanced quality of life in the Lark Street neighborhood and in the greater Albany area.
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