Environmental

Albany Convention Center Authority

Site Selection Criteria

Acreage:
5-6 (based on the October 2002 Report of the Albany Convention Center Task Force recommendation)

Access:

• General, daily traffic and parking
• Load in / out capacity and ease
• Center event related traffic and parking
• Demands on feeder highways (I787, I90, I87)
• Review of key intersections
• Availability and location of complementary and support businesses (i.e. hotels, restaurants, retail)

Context:
How does the center work within downtown / government complex/ neighborhoods. To be considered:

• Historic preservation
• Visual
• Risk management, security
• Community services
• Context to other structures
• Priority of minimal demolition of significant buildings
• Construction related impacts
• Availability of technology (wireless and line availability)
• Utilities / storm water
• Archeology
• Environmental impact downtown / adjoining neighborhood
• Cumulative and growth impact analysis

 Results of Preliminary Environmental Impact Study

DGEIS

ACCA Adopts final generic Environmental Impact Statement and adopts Facilities Plan

**** THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING UPDATES. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE.

Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement ("DGEIS")

All documents are in PDF* format. Some files are very large and may take some time to open completely.

Table of Contents and Section 1: 1.0 Introduction; 1.1 Project History and Need; 1.2 Description of Action; 1.3 Anticipated Benefits; 1.4 Planning Period; 1.5 SEQR Process

Section 2: 2.0 Master Plan Considerations; 2.1 Alternative Previously Considered; 2.2 Existing Facilities; 2.3 Site Selection Process; 2.4 Vision Statement; 2.5 Master Plan Methodology; 2.6 Study Area; 2.7 Urban Design Analysis; 2.8 Guiding Principles; 2.9 Urban Design Framework; 2.10 Public Participation; 2.11 Master Plan Alternatives

Section 3: 3.0 Facility and District Master Plan; 3.1 Development Program; 3.2 Anticipated Events; 3.3 Guiding Principles; 3.4 Optimized Growth Plan; 3.5 Cultural Resource Strategy; 3.6 Community Benefits Program; 3.7 Implementation Plan

Section 4(a): 4.0 Environmental Setting, Impacts & Mitigation; 4.1 Transportation, Parking and Pedestrian; 4.2 Cultural Resources 

Section 4(a): 4.0 Environmental Setting, Impacts & Mitigation; 4.1 Transportation, Parking and Pedestrian; 4.2 Cultural Resources

Section 4(b): 4.3 Aesthetic and Visual Resources; 4.4 Land Use and Zoning; 4.5 Community Services; 4.6 Utilities and Infrastructure; 4.7 Air Quality; 4.8 Construction Impacts

Section 5:5.0 Unavoidable Adverse Environmental Impacts

Appendices

1. Final Scoping Document
2. 2001 Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) Market Feasibility Study
3. 2002 ALDC Task Force Study
4. 2004 SAG Update
5. Developers Proposal
6. HVS International Market Study
7. BBP Supportable Development Range
8. Traffic Impact Study
9. Hartgen Phase 1A Assessment [due to the size of the document, it is not available electronically]
10. Phase 1B Work Plan  
11. Residential Market Study
12. Correspondence
13. Preliminary Study Green Hudson Parking Garage
14. Public Meeting and Workshop Minutes

SQRA Finding Statement

Albany Convention Center Master Plan
Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement
June 29, 2007

Final Scoping Document [pdf*132kb]
Resolution [pdf*51kb]

 

Albany Convention Center Master Plan
Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement
February 23, 2007

Draft Scoping Document [pdf*111KB]

Master Plan

Status Report to the Authority - 6/29/07

Pages 1 through 23 [pdf 294kb]
Pages 24 through 46 [pdf 744kb]
Pages 47 through 69 [pdf 684kb]

Community Meeting Schedule - Completed

The Albany Convention Center announces Community Meetings for its Master Planning efforts.  Click here to get involved!

April 26, 2007 Workshop

Workshop Attendance List [PDF 41kb]
Workshop Report [PDF 746kb]
Master Plan Concept 1 Diagram [PDF 117kb]
Master Plan Concept 1 Diagram [PDF 123kb]

 

Recommendation of the Site Selection Sub-Committee

The site selection sub-committee of the Albany County Convention Center Authority (ACCA) is ready to make a recommendation to the full authority board that will narrow the preferred site for the development of Albany’s convention center.

The sub-committee had based this recommendation on the following factors:

• Site selection criteria developed by the sub-committee and reviewed and adopted by the ACCA in March 2006.  A copy is Attached.
• Public comment provided to the sub-committee at its 6/27 public comment meeting.
• Further comment provided by the NYS Office of General Services.

It is important to note that this narrower preferred site is being established for the purposes of preparing a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) which is key to the Plan for Development that the ACCA is charged with producing.  The boundaries, we believe, are those that will be helpful in understanding how a convention center will work within the confines of Albany’s compact downtown area.  The Center will be located within the preferred site; the center will not encompass the entire site.

In its deliberations, the committee noted several priority criteria that will be identified to the GEIS consulting team as important to the ACCA and more generally to Albany.

• Historic resources within the preferred site.  Several including Plaza Row (Broadway), Liberty Park (Hudson Ave.) and 48 Hudson Avenue will require careful review and analysis.
• Connectivity to downtown, to and between other major assembly facilities (Pepsi Arena and Empire State Plaza Convention Center and to governmental buildings.)

The preferred site for the preparation of a GEIS that the sub-committee is recommending is bounded on the south by Madison Avenue, on the north by State Street, on the east by Broadway and on the west by South Pearl Street.  The sub-committee believes that this preferred site will provide the most cost effective building solution; that is required minimal demolition and that it will ultimately provide new amenities and enhanced public facilities for nearby residents.

It should be noted that this is just the beginning of the process initiating the Plan for Development and that no immediate action is anticipated that will impact any parcel or building within the preferred site for GEIS study.

Preferred Site with Boundaries Only [pdf*160 KB]