The history of
Albany,
New York from 1983 to present begins with the death of
Erastus Corning 2nd
Erastus Corning 2nd (October 7, 1909 – May 28, 1983) was an American politician. A Democrat, Corning served as the 72nd mayor of Albany, New York from 1942 to 1983, when Albany County was controlled by one of the last classic urban political ...
, Albany's longest serving
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...
. When Corning died in 1983,
Thomas Whalen assumed the mayorship and was reelected twice. Albany saw a significant influx of federal dollars earmarked for restoring historic structures. What Corning had saved from destruction, Whalen refurbished.
[McEneny (2006), p. 191] The Mayor's Office of Special Events was created in an effort to increase the number of festivals and artistic events in the city, including a year-long ''Dongan Charter'' tricentennial celebration in 1986.
[McEneny (2006), p. 192] Whalen is credited for an "unparalleled cycle of commercial investment and development" in Albany due to his "aggressive business development programs".
Prior to the
recession of the 1990s, Albany was home to two
Fortune 500 companies: KeyBank and Fleet Bank; both have since moved or merged with other banks.
[McEneny (2006), p. 193] Albany saw its political climate change after the death of Corning and the retirement of Congressman
Sam Stratton. Long-term office holders became a thing of the past in the 1980s. Local media began following the drama surrounding county politics (specifically that of the newly created county executive position); the loss of Corning (and eventually the machine) led to a lack of interest in city politics.
[McEneny (2006), pp. 193–194] The 1990s brought about the surprise election of
Gerald Jennings, who has been mayor since 1994. His tenure essentially ended the political machine that had been in place since the 1920s.
[McEneny (2006), p. 198] During the 1990s, the State Legislature approved the $234 million "Albany Plan", "a building and renovation project
hat
A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
was the most ambitious building project to effect the area since the Rockefeller era." The Albany Plan saw the initiation of renovation and new building projects around the downtown area, and the move of many state workers from the Harriman State Office Campus to downtown.
[McEneny (2006), p. 201] The late first decade of the 21st century saw a real possibility for a long-discussed and controversial
Albany Convention Center; as of August 2010, the Albany Convention Center Authority had already purchased 75% of the land needed to build the downtown project.
References
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:History of Albany, New York (1983-present)
History of Albany, New York