WFO ALBANY, NEW YORK (ALY)

OFFICE LOCATION: The office is in Suite B300 on the third floor of the Center for Emerging Sciences and Technology Management (CESTM).  CESTM is on the campus of the University at Albany, on the grounds of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.  UAlbany is one of the four major centers of the State University of New York (SUNY).  To get to CESTM, use exit 2 - Fuller Road - from I-90. Follow Fuller Road one block south of Washington Avenue and turn right on Tricentennial Drive. From Tricentennial, turn right at the stop sign into the CESTM parking area. Listed telephone...518-435-9580.

OFFICE ACTIVITY:  Major activities of the office support a variety of NWS programs.  The public service program provides forecasts for Eastern New York and Western New England and hazardous weather warnings for 15 New York counties, two Vermont counties, one Massachusetts county, and one Connecticut county.  The office also operates seven NOAA Weather Radio Stations.  The aviation program includes three TAF forecasts in New York, Airport Weather Warnings at Albany and support to FAA and CWSUs.   Other responsibilities include fire weather forecasts.  The office’s hydrological service area (HSA) is responsible for river forecasts and flood warnings.  Data collection activities include surface, aviation, synoptic, upper air and hydrologic observations.  The office has an active collaborative research program with UAlbany and has received CSTAR grants since 2001.  Collaborative research under these grants has involved office staff from Albany and numerous other NWS offices and several departments at the University.  The office is located in the capital of New York, and serves as the state liaison office.  Office staff  interact regularly with numerous state agencies, emergency managers and maintain an active outreach program.  The Office webpage is at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/aly/index.php

PERMANENT AND TRANSIENT LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS:  The median price in February 2009 for a single family home in New York’s Capital District was $170,000, however prices vary widely.  Older city homes price from $80,000 to $150,000, which are generally townhouses in Albany and Troy, and single family homes in Schenectady.  Suburban homes begin at $120,000 and range to $300,000, with many in the $200,000 to $250,000 price range.  New homes begin around $250,000 with Luxury homes $400,000 and above.   Apartments range from $500-$1200 monthly, according to desired space and location. Typical are suburban garden style apartments and townhouses, with older two family “flats” with 2 or 3 bedrooms available in the cities at the lower price ranges.  There are many hotels and motels, from budget to luxury price ranges, near CESTM and throughout the Capital District.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: While bus service is available, a car is essential for anyone working forecast shifts at CESTM. Parking for NWS employees is available, without charge, in the CESTM lot.

EATING FACILITIES: The office has a modern kitchen with refrigerator and microwave, and there is a deli in the College of Nanoscale Science building complex which is open during the day.  There are also a variety of restaurants and fast-food places within a few minutes drive of CESTM.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION: New York's Capital District consists of a multi-county region that includes Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Greene Counties. Although the City of Albany, New York's Capital City, is at the district's focus, the district is really a metropolitan area of three cities, Albany, Schenectady and Troy, with a large suburban population.  The City of Albany has a population of near 95,000, while the Capital District has 851,000 people living in it.  The Capital District has well developed road, rail, water and air transportation networks; a diversified economic base of government, manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, and services; an expanding professional and technical workforce; and highly educated population. In addition, the cost of living is comparatively low relative to the Northeast Corridor. The quality of available public services is high.  There are fourteen colleges and universities in the Capital District. They include the State University of New York at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute in Troy; and Union College in Schenectady.

The Capital District and the surrounding region of Upstate New York and adjacent New England are rich in history and scenic beauty. The nearby Adirondack and Catskill Mountains of New York and Berkshire and Green Mountains of New England, along with the rivers and many lakes and parks in the region, offer a year-round diversity of outdoor recreational opportunities.  Spectator sports are available with a minor league professional baseball team, and minor league hockey and basketball teams playing in the district.  The district also offers college hockey, basketball and football. During August, nearby Saratoga Springs becomes the national center of thoroughbred racing. The performing arts have a strong presence throughout the year. The performing arts centers support dramatic productions of all types and musical events from chamber music and symphonic performances to rock concerts.  Worthy of note are the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet, and Tanglewood, located in the nearby Berkshires, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

TAX INFORMATION: There is a graduated income tax in New York State from 4% to 7% of all earned income above $26,000.  There are standard deductions of $7,500 for a single person filing as a self dependent, $15,000 for a married person filing jointly, $7,500 for a married person filing separately and $10,500 for a head of household. There is also a personal exemption of $1,000 for each exemption claimed on the Federal form. New York State also has a sales tax of 4%.  In addition, all Capital District counties levy county wide sales taxes of 4-4.25%.  Combined school and property taxes are generally between $4,000 and $12,000 a year, depending on location and property assessment.  School property taxes are reduced by a “STAR” credit, of approximately $25,000 off the assessed value of the property.

CHILD CARE SERVICES: Many day care centers are available throughout the Capital District. Some are privately run, while others are affiliated with churches, colleges or the YMCA/YWCA. The Federal Executive Association of Northeastern New York has organized a day care center for federal employees in the Federal Office Building in downtown Albany.

Last Modified: February 26, 2009