A rendering of the new exposition center at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY.

SYRACUSE, NY—Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that the state has selected three development teams can respond to a Request for Proposals to build a new exposition center on the State Fairgrounds property.

The governor opened the 171^st New York State Fair here announcing that the state intended to pursue the development of the new exposition building. All three development teams that responded to an earlier Request for Qualifications were deemed qualified to submit a proposal for the project. The three qualified teams are: HBP, a joint-venture of Hueber-Breuer Construction Inc., of Syracuse and The Pike Company of Rochester; LeChase Construction, of Rochester, NY; and Welliver Mcguire Inc., of Montour Falls, NY.

Responses to the RFP are due in October and construction on the project could begin as early as November with a substantial completion date that will coincide with the opening of the 2018 State Fair. The project is expected to create more than 700 construction jobs.

The new 133,000-square-foot facility is to include flexible space for major events such as car shows and auctions, consumer and trade shows, motocross, equestrian events, equipment shows, and other events that complement and expand the Fairgrounds as a premier year-round destination. The state also intends to issue an RFP to privatize the management and promotion of non-fair events at the exposition building. Construction may begin as early as November 2017. With the completion of the exposition building, the fairgrounds will boast a total of 450,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space.

“With the brand new exposition building, we will bring the State Fair to even greater heights, attracting more visitors and revenue to the region and helping to drive economic growth in the community,” Gov. Cuomo said. “The State Fair is an iconic Central New York institution, and with our investments to build dozens of new exhibits, rides and attractions for fairgoers we are transforming the fair into a world-class tourist destination.”

The new exposition building will also have loading docks, large overhead doors, and spaces for pre-event functions, VIP attendance, concessions and catering. Site improvements, such as access roads, driveways, and utilities are also planned.

The governor also highlighted several key components of the state's $120-million plan to revitalize the Fairgrounds in Onondaga County. These improvement projects, include a brand new Broadway Skyliner chairlift ride, renovations in the Indian Village and a new home for the New York State Police exhibit, as well as brand new exhibits and programming,

Instant Insights /

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