Each year, we take in a major tourist attraction. This year, we chose the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
We did not go there to spend money on parking, the Hard Rock Cafe or the paddle boats or because Baltimore has big office buildings. We went there to see the major anchor, the National Aquarium, and then we saw, or spent money on, the rest.
This experience deputized me as an ambassador not only for the National Aquarium but also for the city of Baltimore. It's a cool place. Albany is not going to be a cool place to visit because we have one more big office building.
Saratoga Springs has a major tourist anchor in Saratoga Race Course. Albany does not. This is Albany's last chance to put a major tourist destination in downtown. I love the arts and cultural attractions the city offers, but they are not major attractions. For anyone to say that Albany is a major tourist destination worth the drive is misguided. Just like Saratoga Race Course, a major tourist anchor will bring visitors, shoppers and potential residents.
An aquarium is an expensive and complex proposition, but it could be built in various phases and expansions. When it comes to tourism, we have to have a GlobalFoundries' mind-set to have a big anchor in downtown. Anything less only perpetuates our image as smAlbany. No office building is going to attract more visitors downtown.
I would encourage our leaders to get this done with a five-year strategic plan.
Tom Denham
Delmar
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