Section 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.