Nighthawks has been hosting a Block Party for years in downtown Troy, a charity fundraiser. But in June of 2024, it was canceled. Why? The Mayor’s office had imposed a new standard, no music outside after 9 PM.
“Without a council vote.” Gigi Sweets is speaking at the new council’s first public forum in January 2026. No ordinance change had been passed; no public input was sought; Carmella just did.
What Changed
By summer 2024, the Administration was enforcing a 9 PM outdoor music cutoff across the downtown corridor. Carmella called it an application of existing guidelines. Troy Businesses called it a new restriction. The existing city code sets the limit at 11 PM.
The economic stakes were documented. Business owners told the city that 11 to 13 percent of restaurant revenue and roughly half of bar income comes after 9 PM. Between 180 and 237 establishments in the downtown corridor were affected. Musicians began moving their bookings to Albany.
What Was Lost
The Nighthawks Block Party was not the only casualty. Events that brought Trojans of all ages downtown vanished with the cutoff. The 9 PM restriction was eventually walked back to 10 PM under pressure. The damage was already underway.
Sweets put it plainly before the new council: “It’s killing us.”
The council had never taken a vote. No ordinance was amended. No public hearing was held.
The Process That Did Not Happen
Carmella’s Administration imposed an enforcement standard affecting hundreds of businesses and the economic life of downtown Troy through a unilateral interpretation of existing code. No council member voted yes or no. No business owner was consulted.
City Code says 11 PM. The Administration said otherwise. Musicians called Albany and people followed.
Partisan angle: In the summer of 2024, Carmella chose to change enforcement for downtown businesses. She imposed a 9 PM cutoff on outdoor music. The damage has been significant, loss of Block Parties and events that brought people out of all ages. She said it existed in guidelines. Troy Businesses called it a new restriction. Musicians called Albany and people followed.
Sources: CBS6 crackdown, NYSMusic, News10 confusion, Troy City Council Public Forum, January 8, 2026 (transcript)