Central Avenue Civic and Merchants Association (CAMA) is a local business organization that dates back to the 1930’s dedicated to the promotion and economic vitality of Central Avenue in the City of Albany, New York. At the November 21, 1996 CAMA meeting, the topic of creating a Business Improvement District (BID) on Central Avenue was discussed. Alicia Fernandez, a staff representative from the City’s Department of Economic Development spoke in detail about the benefits provided by this type of special assessment district. She explained the concept of intense management, funding, assessment and budget as well as stressing that the services provided by a BID are supplemental to those already provided by the City. Ms. Fernandez also presented two examples of established BID’s in the City of Albany and how they have made a successful impact. The result of this discussion was a call by the members of CAMA to consider the establishment of the Central Business Improvement District initiative (CB ID).

The CBID initiative was unanimously supported those in attendance and it was clear that a task force would have to be assembled and charged with the task of structuring a BID plan and building consensus for, and public awareness of the effort. The Task Force was to be sensitive to the contrasts in business climate that exists between the traditional commercial district located on the eastern end and the newer, suburban style development at the western end of Central Avenue. it was resolved that, in order for — the older commercial section to thrive and for the newer developed section to continue growth, steps must be taken to assure that Central Avenue, as a whole, be committed to the CBID process and to develop and maintain and single identity.

At the December 17, 1996 CAMA meeting members decided to significantly broaden their horizons by actively seeking to enroll new members from the entire expanse of Central Avenue and the surrounding side-streets. A new contingent of officers was elected, including President Donald Metzner, President of Armory Garage, and Vice-President Austin Snow, General Manager of the Quality Inn Hotel. Mary Bintz of Fleet Bank was named Secretary and Tina Yavis of the Mayflower Restaurant was named Treasurer of the newly structured organization. The first three of these officers have businesses located in the more recently developed area of Central Avenue, or geographically, nearer to the western boundary of the district. CAMA, whose focus was traditionally on the dense urban landscape of the eastern end of Central Avenue, emerged into a larger association dedicated to the formation of a Business Improvement District, which would ultimately supersede CAMA.

The CBID planning process facilitated a vision for Central Avenue and its environs. CAMA developed the following mission statement to guide it in its process:

To promote the development of the Central Avenue business corridor, a major gateway and service center in the Capital City of Albany. To organize in order to do all things necessary and proper to make the Central Avenue business corridor more attractive for business and civic events and improve the quality of life for residents in adjacent neighborhoods. To this end, the creation of a business improvement district will work to enhance the public perception of the Central Avenue business corridor and empower an entity charged with managing the appearance, image, security, promotion, accessibility, advocacy, and cleanliness of the district.

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