The highly anticipated plans to expand the Saratoga Springs City Center by 22,000 square feet will be officially unveiled to a group of approximately 150 constituents, local business leaders and city officials on Monday.
Mark Baker, President of the City Center, said he will present plans
that will enhance the city center from 52,500 square feet to more than
70,000 square feet. He said the plans will create the capacity to
increase the center's business model by 40 percent through the ability
to host multiple events at one time.
"The value added to our current client base is the ability to host greater numbers of the activity that any one group brings in," he said.
He added that the increased capacity will also allow the center to host multiple groups simultaneously and ultimately allow those groups to host a greater number of delegates and convention attendees.
The project that will break ground sometime in late May will take approximately 14-16 months to complete construction. Baker said during that time the convention center intends to remain 100 percent operational.
"We are hoping to continue to host groups and conventions with the minimum amount of inconvenience," he said.
Baker noted that the plan has been in the making for close to 10 years and has involved numerous feasibility studies, blue ribbon task forces and client focus groups. He said during that time he has received strong support from various administrations in City Hall and the community.
"The consensus from the community that I have seen and heard is unanimous support for the City Center project, its growth and its impact on the community," he said.
Baker said he feels the project will allow Saratoga Springs to continue to enhance their year-round draw for conventions and group meetings.
"I think it will be a renewed enhancement to the business community, downtown and Broadway," he said. "I think it will also bring a larger emphasis to the northern end of Broadway as downtown continues to develop."
He added that people like coming to Saratoga Springs because of its vibrant downtown that is crucial to the continued success of the community.
"Part of continuing the success of downtown is maintaining its vibrancy with store fronts filled and people on the streets, and I think this expansion project will allow us to continue to do that," he said.
According to Baker the project will cost $16 million and is fully funded. The City Center that is celebrating its 25th year in operation has received $12 million from New York State through various state grants and the balance of the money has been raised by the City Center authority and stewardship over the last 25 years, Baker said.
The plans that will include expanded space for expositions, break out rooms and an enhancement to the building's main entrance will be presented at the City Center on Monday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
"Everything I have heard on the street is not are you going to do it, but when are you going to do it," Baker said. "People have been anticipating this day positively for a long time, and it is going to be a day of celebration."
"The value added to our current client base is the ability to host greater numbers of the activity that any one group brings in," he said.
He added that the increased capacity will also allow the center to host multiple groups simultaneously and ultimately allow those groups to host a greater number of delegates and convention attendees.
The project that will break ground sometime in late May will take approximately 14-16 months to complete construction. Baker said during that time the convention center intends to remain 100 percent operational.
"We are hoping to continue to host groups and conventions with the minimum amount of inconvenience," he said.
Baker noted that the plan has been in the making for close to 10 years and has involved numerous feasibility studies, blue ribbon task forces and client focus groups. He said during that time he has received strong support from various administrations in City Hall and the community.
"The consensus from the community that I have seen and heard is unanimous support for the City Center project, its growth and its impact on the community," he said.
Baker said he feels the project will allow Saratoga Springs to continue to enhance their year-round draw for conventions and group meetings.
"I think it will be a renewed enhancement to the business community, downtown and Broadway," he said. "I think it will also bring a larger emphasis to the northern end of Broadway as downtown continues to develop."
He added that people like coming to Saratoga Springs because of its vibrant downtown that is crucial to the continued success of the community.
"Part of continuing the success of downtown is maintaining its vibrancy with store fronts filled and people on the streets, and I think this expansion project will allow us to continue to do that," he said.
According to Baker the project will cost $16 million and is fully funded. The City Center that is celebrating its 25th year in operation has received $12 million from New York State through various state grants and the balance of the money has been raised by the City Center authority and stewardship over the last 25 years, Baker said.
The plans that will include expanded space for expositions, break out rooms and an enhancement to the building's main entrance will be presented at the City Center on Monday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
"Everything I have heard on the street is not are you going to do it, but when are you going to do it," Baker said. "People have been anticipating this day positively for a long time, and it is going to be a day of celebration."
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