Statement of legislative findings

§ 2675-b. Statement of legislative findings. It is hereby found, determined and declared that there is an immediate need to institute a comprehensive, coordinated program of convention activities in the city of Albany. It is further found, determined and declared to be desirable to create an Albany convention center authority to provide the city of Albany with the capability to effectively and efficiently develop, renovate and undertake certain transformational economic developmental projects in the historic downtown area to optimize the economic and social activities of the city and its environs. It is further found, determined and declared that the construction, transformation and improvement of new and existing facilities for a convention center consisting of trade exhibition, hotel accommodations, transportation infrastructure, tourism, theatre facilities, retail business, commercial office space facilities, including services for the operation and maintenance thereof, will provide significant economic and social benefits to the city and county of Albany and the entire capital district region and, that, consistent with social, economic, environmental and other essential considerations of state policy, locating and renovating these new and improved facilities in the historic downtown area of the city of Albany is in the public interest, given the convenience and accessibility of the city, its significance in the history of the state and nation, its designation as a heritage area, its stature as the capital city of the state and the seat of state government, and the immediacy of the needs of the people of the state for the realization of the significant economic and social benefits to be derived from this convention center. It is further found, determined and declared that the development of the area is a matter of essential state and city concern, and that the establishment and creation of an Albany convention center authority is necessary to provide for the economic prosperity and general welfare of the people of the city of Albany and the state of New York for the construction, development, location and operation of a convention center consisting of these facilities. It is further found, determined and declared to be the intent of the legislature that the Albany convention center authority shall carry out its purposes and responsibilities directly and through agreements with local entities, and that the Albany convention center authority shall be created as a public benefit corporation and that the corporate programs and powers conferred under this title and the expenditure of public monies pursuant thereto, are in furtherance of a valid public interest and public purpose.