Category: A Block at a Time

Community Building a Block at a Time

Thank you to the families, elected officials and department heads

September 15, 2019 /

ABAAT would like to extend a special thank you to the victims and their families, elected officials and department heads who joined us last night to discuss the Myrtle Avenue Fire. We had a wonderful discussion and Identified the following points to begin addressing the issue.

  • Increase communication between the County and the City to ensure everyone is on the same page
  • NIXLE notifications for fires and building demolitions
  • Boarding of County seized building. On the back of the building, the day of lock out and on the front of the building after 3 failed lockups
  • Protocol to ensure the Mayor’s office provides the same amount of exposure/airtime to any multi-family fire not prohibited by law

Thank you to the following Elected Officials, Department Heads and staff:

  • City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan
  • City Fire Chief Joseph Gregory
  • City Buildings & Regulatory Compliance Director Rick LaJoy
  • City Police South Station Commander Jim Gallagher
  • Assemblymember John McDonald III
  • Senator Neil Breslin
  • County Exec. Director of Policy & Research Mike McLaughlin
  • City Neighborhood Stabilization Coordinator Sam Wells

Update on Myrtle Ave Fire

August 30, 2019 /

Thank you to everyone who donated to the victims of the fire on Myrtle Avenue. Your item and monetary donations mean a lot to the families. A Block at a Time was able to provide basic needs items to 10 of the 11 families in the homes that were demolished by Sunday evening (48 hours). We will continue to provide items as they need them. The families have what they need right now but will continue to need support until they are resettled/

From Dannielle Hille:
I just want to let every donor who dropped items off to me personally or those I picked items up from, that I ensured your donation went to the families and if your donation was for a specific member I personally gave it to them. The families want you all to know they are grateful for your generosity and support.

Donation information for Myrtle Avenue Fire Victims (as of 08-30-2019).

To donate items on the list, or for more information contact Dannielle Hille dannielle@abaat.org

Monetary donations accepted by AVillage… Inc. website, www.avillageworks.org. That link on the upper right leads you to a PayPal button but you can also donate with a credit or debit card. Starting Monday cash and checks can be dropped off at the AVillage…, Inc. office at 3 Lincoln Sq., Albany ONLY. Please put “Myrtle Avenue Fire Victims” in the memo.

PLEASE NOTE, we cannot accept furniture donations at this time. We will put the word out once we can.

We will keep info up-to-date on A Block at a Time’s Facebook (facebook.com/abaat518) and website