ALBANY, N.Y. (July 25, 2013) – Working in conjunction with its important partners, the City of Albany and Albany County, and with support from New York State, the Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA) Board was presented with an alternative concept for the development a new Convention Center. This alternate proposal would locate an 80,000 square foot, rightsized convention and meeting facility hub at the apex of the Empire State Plaza, the Capitol Walkway, and the Times Union Center at Eagle Street, significantly reducing the cost of construction to be within the current $75 M NYS appropriation while maintaining the commitment to build a facility that will meet current market demands.
The revised concept being considered is the result of an on-going process of design review, cost analysis and value engineering, with full consideration of all public input. The revised plan answers the need for an affordable solution to updated market demands and will enhance the function of the adjacent facilities at the Empire State Plaza and Times Union Center, while providing a fully enclosed and completely renovated walkway to serve as a modern conduit linking the proposed convention and meeting facility with those successful, existing venues.
The presentation was made during the ACCA board’s regularly scheduled meeting on July 25.
Among the important preliminary next steps authorized by the ACCA Board today were: an independent market study by HVS Consulting, a preliminary SEQRA review by CHA, and the required land appraisals that are all to be completed in the next 120 days. Additionally, we anticipate that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo will announce that in the coming weeks, he will be filling the two open ACCA board positions in support of the on-going conceptual review process.
ACCA Chairman Gavin Donohue said, “This alternative plan focuses on economic stimulus and can begin to revitalize downtown Albany. “Governor Cuomo is to be commended for his leadership in allowing us to pursue an alternative plan and I am thankful to County Executive McCoy and Mayor Jennings for their continued support.”
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “I applaud the ACCA for their initiative in working with Albany County, the City of Albany and New York State to pursue a plan which best addresses both the needs of the community and their mission for high quality convention space in downtown Albany. I look forward to the opportunity for Albany County to work in partnership with the involved parties to spur downtown revitalization through a development project that brings much needed jobs to the County and region.”
City of Albany Mayor, Gerald D. Jennings said, “It is important that we continue to push this transformational project forward in a way that best meets the needs of the community. This feasibility study will allow us to do exactly that. By engaging in this study, we will ensure that the Authority is producing a responsible path forward that is best suited for our target convention market.”