§ 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.