The HIVE:  a community-led redesign of public alley

  1. 1 News Release Photo
  2. 2 03. Ribbon Cutting
  3. 3 1. Alley Entrance_Before
  4. 4 1. Alley Entrance_After
  5. 5 2. Alley Elbow_1_Before
  6. 6 3. Alley_Mid_After
  7. 7 3. Alley_Mid_Before
  8. 8 2. Alley Elbow_1_After
  9. 9 4. Alley_Garage Area_Before
  10. 10 4. Alley_Garage Area_After
  11. 11 5. Alley_End_Before
  12. 12 5. Alley_End_After
  13. 13 Nightime Photo

Project Description

Albany Hive ("The Hive") is an uplifting new shared space on a city-owned alley at Quail St and 1st St in the city’s West Hill neighborhood. The project is located adjacent to Albany Victory Gardens and Grateful Villages’ West Hill Farmers Market. Despite the success of these nearby community-led programs, the alley itself was in poor condition, with debris, inadequate drainage, and an overgrown tree canopy that blocked light. 

Co-designed with West Hill residents, the Hive reflects the alley’s function as a community hub, buzzing with locally-led activities. Going forward, the Hive will host public programs and workshops responding to community needs in West Hill. Upcoming events will be posted on albanyhive.org.

Six beehive-inspired sculptures in vibrant blue and yellow will include built-in seating elements and polycarbonate panels to host community-made artwork. They’re paired with new planters and swales that help absorb rainwater and an enhanced pathway with improved lighting, access, and drainage.

Collaborations

Albany Hive is a collaboration between 518 SNUG, Albany & Troy Lions Club, Albany Victory Gardens, Bridge Tha Gap, the City of Albany, Grateful Villages, Rensselaer School of Architecture, Stantec, The Urban Conga, and Van Alen Institute.

The project is supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” program, which supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities over the long term. Additional support was provided by the Albany Community Development Agency, America Walks Grant, the Bender Family Foundation and the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Initial project planning was done in partnership with the Mayors’ Institute on City Design.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Poulomi Sen, Senior Planning Project Manager at dpd@albanyny.gov.

  1. 1 Alley
  2. 2 2. Alley _Elbow_2_After
  3. 3 About the Hive_1080x1350
  4. 4 Coalition_1080x1350