As a state assemblyman and newly appointed member of the Albany Convention Center Authority, I feel compelled to comment on recent news accounts regarding the development of the 10-acre site owned by the authority. Some articles have mentioned the potential of Capital District Physicians' Health Plan to relocate to the site and have provoked rebuke from the development community. I concur with them. Public-sector authorities should not interfere with private-sector development.
Economic development in the downtown area has been and continues to be a high priority for city and state officials.
It is possible that the convention center may take a different course due to constrained financial resources, but I am unaware of any specific commercial project proposed for the site.
If there is a decision to abandon the construction of a convention center on this site, the authority, through a competitive process, should solicit redevelopment proposals to maximize its ultimate use. This would result in returning the property to the tax rolls and would be in concert with the Albany 2030 plan.
Redevelopment of this area should be sensitive to the needs for jobs, housing and quality of life for our residents.
John McDonald
Assemblyman, 108th District
Cohoes