County Executive McCoy Unveils New Albany County Rail Trail Vendor Initiative
June 29, 2020
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that for the first time, food and refreshment vendors will be able to sell their products along the nine-mile stretch of the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail through food trucks, carts or temporary stands. The Request for Proposals was issued today and responses are due back on July 10.
“The COVID-19 crisis and economic shutdown have had devastating impacts on our small businesses and hardworking families who continue to struggle to make ends meet. We need to utilize every asset possible that Albany County has to support them in their time of need. This particular initiative has the added bonus of actually enhancing the experience for the thousands of Rail Trail users,” said County Executive McCoy. “This will give businesses the opportunity to not only increase their sales, but also potentially expand their client base.”
A total of six vendors will be selected by lottery for two specifically designated locations at each of the three trailheads in Albany, Slingerlands and Voorheesville. Six qualified vendors who meet health, insurance and other criteria will be issued permits for one month at a time to ensure as many individual businesses have the opportunity. At the end of each month, six new permits will be issued at random until October 12.
Permits will cost $200 per month for food trucks and $125 per month for carts, tents and temporary stands. Hours of operation for each business will be limited to 8am to 8pm Sunday through Saturday.
Any vendors with questions, concerns or comments or those that are interested in submitting a proposal can contact the Albany County Department of General Services Purchasing Division at (518) 447-7140. They can also visit the Empire State Bid system website at this link starting at the close of business today. Proposals can be mailed to the Purchasing Division at 112 State St, Room 1000, Albany, NY 12207.
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“The COVID-19 crisis and economic shutdown have had devastating impacts on our small businesses and hardworking families who continue to struggle to make ends meet. We need to utilize every asset possible that Albany County has to support them in their time of need. This particular initiative has the added bonus of actually enhancing the experience for the thousands of Rail Trail users,” said County Executive McCoy. “This will give businesses the opportunity to not only increase their sales, but also potentially expand their client base.”
A total of six vendors will be selected by lottery for two specifically designated locations at each of the three trailheads in Albany, Slingerlands and Voorheesville. Six qualified vendors who meet health, insurance and other criteria will be issued permits for one month at a time to ensure as many individual businesses have the opportunity. At the end of each month, six new permits will be issued at random until October 12.
Permits will cost $200 per month for food trucks and $125 per month for carts, tents and temporary stands. Hours of operation for each business will be limited to 8am to 8pm Sunday through Saturday.
Any vendors with questions, concerns or comments or those that are interested in submitting a proposal can contact the Albany County Department of General Services Purchasing Division at (518) 447-7140. They can also visit the Empire State Bid system website at this link starting at the close of business today. Proposals can be mailed to the Purchasing Division at 112 State St, Room 1000, Albany, NY 12207.
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Contact:
Mary Rozak, Director of Communications
mary.rozak@albanycountyny.gov, 518.447.7040 ext. 7218
