Cuomo says planned Expo Center will make Fairgrounds a 'year-round economic engine'
TOWN OF GEDDES, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state has selected three upstate companies to enter bids for the contract to design and build a new exposition building at the New York State Fair outside Syracuse.
The Democrat made the announcement Wednesday morning at the fairgrounds in suburban Geddes before officially opening the 171st State Fair.
Cuomo says the 133,000-square-foot air-conditioned building will be the largest exhibition space north of New York City. "That will change this venue from not just 13 days a year, but a year-round economic engine," Gov. Cuomo said. "We can attract national shows to come to this venue and that's good for the entire metropolitan region. You bring people to come to see a car show, or a horse show, or an equipment show - that's good for Hotel Syracuse, that's good for the restaurants, that's good for the shops."
Construction could begin as early as November, with most of it expected to be completed in time for the 2018 State Fair. Cuomo says the project will create more than 700 construction jobs.
During his visit on "Governor's Day" at the Fair Cuomo also took a ride on the new Sky Ride, which carries riders over the Midway, with Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney as he toured the grounds.
