MAYOR JENNINGS ANNOUNCES “BLOCK BY BLOCK” QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVE AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM

20 Nov 2007

by: Bob Van Amburgh -518-434-5100

New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Albany County District Attorney David Soares Share in the Partnership Effort

 
Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings today unveiled a coordinated and cohesive Quality of Life Initiative, entitled “Block by Block”, designed to target abandoned and vacant buildings, absentee landlords, quality of life issues, building and code enforcement, crime suppression, increased home ownership and investment, and neighborhood revitalization.

Albany Police Chief, James Tuffey, who will oversee a new City task force specifically committed to the tenets of the program, will coordinate “Block by Block”.  This task force will not only engage the services of a variety of City Departments and Offices, but also, promote collaboration with New York State and Albany County offices.

In addition, Mayor Jennings announced the creation of the City Division of Neighborhood Revitalization, which will become part of the City Community Economic Development Team.  This new unit will be charged with the administration of the abandoned building initiative, which will utilize funding, programming and resources to reduce the number of buildings that side idle, or negatively impact neighborhood livability.

Today’s event also provided the forum for the announcement of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s “Nowhere to Hide” program—a new commitment under his statewide “Guns, Gangs and Drugs Initiative” designed to take legal actions against landlords who permit the properties to be persistently used for criminal activities.  “The resources of my office will be used to target the owners of properties used by drug gangs and gun traffickers, and, at the same time, create safer neighborhoods for all New Yorkers, said Attorney General Cuomo.  “I want to applaud Mayor Jennings for his “Block by Block” initiative and his commitment to improving the quality of life in Albany, added Attorney General Cuomo.  “Cooperative efforts between my office and our Upstate law enforcement partners, like those announced today, will have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life of all New Yorkers.”

Joining the Mayor and Attorney General was Albany County District Attorney, David Soares, who has also pledged his cooperation in engaging his office to promote quality of life enhancement.  “With many laws on our books, both civil and penal, that can bring about maximum public safety, it only makes sense for prosecutors to embrace all laws to make our neighborhoods safer.  I commend the Mayor and Attorney General for their efforts and look forward to continuing our work together”, commented District Attorney Soares.