The Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA) Board was pleased to review the conceptual master plan options at the June monthly meeting.  After several weeks of insightful comments in both public forums and attendance at neighborhood meetings, input was compiled and incorporated into the presentation as well as used for the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) currently being prepared by the Master Planning Team.  The concepts presented followed the recommendations made by market study consultant, Hospitality Valuation Services (HVS).  Although very much in keeping with previous studies as to the overall size of both the convention center and hotel, this study concluded that a 250 room “full service” and 150 room “focused” – or “limited service” properties would provide more room options for the traveler and assist in the project’s success.  Previous studies called for one 400 room property.  This “preferred option” was wholeheartedly embraced by the ACCA’s Board of Directors, although other alternatives are still being explored.

Also presented at the June meeting and formally adopted was the ACCA’s Affirmative Action/Economic Inclusion Plan, a very aggressive plan to ensure the highest level of participation for all disadvantaged members of the local community.  This fulfills one on the first goals set by the Authority’s Board early last year and becomes one key element of a Community Benefits Program under consideration.

With the selection of the Construction Manager, Design Team, and Convention Center and Hotel Manager during the summer, the project’s true character is beginning to take shape from the conceptual phase.  These three key project partners have been hired together to collaborate on all design, constructability and operations issues to ensure aesthetics, value engineering and functionality are achieved to the highest degree possible.

George Leveille

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