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Groundbreaking for the Albany Capital Center (ACC) expansion took place on Thursday (October 16), marking the start of a significant development project in Albany. Supported by a $10 million investment from the state through Empire State Development and the Capital Region Economic Development Council, the expansion aims to enhance the ACC's capacity as a premier event and meeting destination.
The $54.9 million project will add five new meeting rooms, a large multi-purpose room, a new ballroom, a pre-function area, and a 3,000-square-foot courtyard for outdoor events. These additions will increase the ACC's rentable space to 84,000 square feet, enabling it to host larger conventions, trade shows, and sporting events. Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the expansion's role in revitalizing Albany's downtown core, aligning with her $400 million Championing Albany’s Potential initiative, which seeks to boost the local economy and community pride.
Governor Hochul stated, "The Albany Capital Center has already proven to be an anchor for tourism and economic activity in the Capital Region. This expansion will allow even more residents, businesses, and visitors to experience everything that makes Albany vibrant."
Since its opening in 2017, the ACC has hosted over 1,200 events and welcomed more than 660,000 visitors, generating $100 million in new visitor spending. The expansion is expected to further drive economic growth and attract new investments to Albany.
Albany Convention Center Authority Executive Director Monica Kurzejeski expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, "We are tremendously excited about what this expansion will mean for our next decade and beyond." The project is set to transform Albany into a more dynamic hub for cultural and business events.