As the center of the Capital Region, its role as the capital city of the Empire State, and its diverse population and neighborhoods, Albany faces a unique dilemma in updating and upgrading its zoning regulations while retaining the peculiarity of its core neighborhood, Lark Street.

Late New York mayor and then-candidate for governor Ed Koch said of Albany in 1982: “A city without a good Chinese restaurant.” Albany has long shed its reputation as a cultural and gourmet pit, through innovative and exciting restaurants, retailers, and institutions that solidify Albany’s position as the “capital of the capital of the world.”

Lark Street alone has more than 80 businesses. Retailers, restaurants, bars, offices, shops, services — you name it, Lark has it. Lark Street proudly promotes itself as the “village in the city.”

However, a certain initiative aims to change the momentum in a direction that will lead to economic disinvestment, job losses, property value loss, and evaporated vibrancy.

The proposal, as part of the larger ReZone Albany plan that would update the Albany’s 50-plus year old zoning laws, would limit Lark Street corridor businesses to 2 a.m. instead of either operating 24-hours (in the case of corner stores and Market 32) or until 4 a.m. (which a number of establishments currently enjoy). Additionally, establishments adjacent to the Lark Street corridor along Dove Street would have to close by 11 p.m. — which would affect a number of businesses, including the historic watering hole Palais Royale.

Zoning, for the record, is the one of the only ways for a city to get around state law that allows for last call to be 4 a.m. Unless a county changes last call (in which a rural handful of New York’s 62 counties have done), the law states 4 a.m. This run-around creates a legal and logistical challenge.

However, bars and establishments in Downtown Albany, the Warehouse District, and other Albany neighborhoods would continue business as usual, creating a unique competitive disadvantage within the city, let alone against increasingly popular locales such as Downtown Troy and Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs.

And when you look at the momentum particularly of Troy, which for years was left for dead, is in the midst of a beautiful, organic renaissance led by ambitious entrepreneurs coupled by a city government and a business district that remove the regulatory barriers and streamline processes. This equals a recipe for success that has shifted the excitement potential into overdrive. For someone who does root for Albany’s success, I unfortunately often hear, especially from business owners, this phrase: “I should have opened in Troy.”

That should not be acceptable to those, like myself, who boost Albany’s potential.

The proposal, although well-meaning in some circles, has the grave potential to be devastating to economic development efforts along Lark Street and surrounding neighborhoods. As a mixed-use community of residential and commercial properties, the balance can be made ensuring a neighborhood remains safe, yet vibrant. Jane Jacobs, the late acclaimed activist who fought a legendary battle with New York planning czar Robert Moses, once said, “There is something everyone knows: a well-used city street is apt to be a safe street. A deserted city street is apt to be unsafe.”

More establishments mean more eyes on the street and a safer environment for all, regardless if you patronize the businesses. Their success is driven by the safety and the stability of the corridor.

Palais Royale, which has operated since 1930 (toward the end of Prohibition, including having been frequented by legendary gangster Legs Diamond) and at its current location on Jefferson Street since the 1960s (its original location displaced by the construction of the Empire State Plaza), has been known for its quirkiness for decades. In fact, the bar and its late longtime owner Rocky Nigro were lauded by Governor Pataki, Mayor Jennings, and the New York State Senate in 2000. Palais’ current owner, Juan Picasso, builds upon the bar’s history and legacy.

In fact, the New York Times noted that establishments such as Pinto & Hobbs have helped calm down partisan tensions after-hours during the legislative session, in which Democratic and Republican lawmakers from all across the state, divided geographically, religiously, and ethnically, can come together for in the interest of camaraderie and working across the aisle.

Imagine, during the thick of the budget negotiations or at the end of the session, a few lawmakers want to convene outside the Capitol to blow off some steam and they find a closed bar or restaurant. This is not a good impression, given Albany’s long-held position of state politics being our only major league sport, per se.

Also imagine, it’s 3 a.m. You live in Center Square and you have a small emergency on your hands at your home. It could be a small plumbing issue or perhaps retrieving over-the-counter medication, and now you instead of going to Market 32 on Delaware Avenue — have to go (a) get in a car, and (b) go crosstown to receive services that were previously walkable — especially as we talk about reducing automobile use.

Lark Street has been a breeding ground for many entrepreneurs and breathes urban familiarity for the downstate transplant set. Intrepid restaurateurs and outspoken community leaders Matt Baumgartner and Tess Collins forged their roots on Lark Street, respectively through Bombers and Justin’s. Would another neighborhood, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, would have been so accepting of the eclectic leadership of these two? Survey likely would point to a no on this one.

As goes Lark Street, so goes for the Capital Region. This effort, if these provisions are implemented, would give a boost to groups in Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs to curtail hours of operations along a slippery slope. If we allow for 2 a.m., what says in a few years, 2 a.m. is too late, then midnight will be proposed. This regressive mindset does nothing to make our region globally competitive, nor locally supportive.

This is not just a late-night bar thing. This is a dimming of the quality of life of living and working in an urban neighborhood.

Are there good things with ReZone? Sure. Expanding certain privileges for commercial property owners and attempting to make it easier to understand are to be commended. But it should not come at this profound cost at this time.

I’ll close with another Jane Jacobs quote that sums the challenge we face: “Dull, inert cities, it is true, do contain seeds of their own destruction and little else. But livery, diverse, intense cities contain the seeds of their own regeneration, with energy enough to carry over for problems and needs outside themselves.”

If you believe in ensuring the vibrancy of Albany is worth saving, please sign this petition. Get involved, contact your Common Council member, contact the Mayor’s office, and make your voice known that you demand to #KeepLarkOpen.