ALBANY>>  "Today is another great day in downtown Albany with the Albany Convention Center Authority awarding $17.5 million in bids, equaling 35% of the total Albany Capital Center project; the move gives Capital Region residents, employees, visitors and representatives yet another reason to tout downtown Albany as a premier destination," said Georgette Steffens, executive director of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, which covers 50 blocks in Downtown including the convention center site. "Congratulations to Governor Andrew Cuomo and Authority Chairman Gavin Donohue for recognizing the importance of this project, and continuing to move our historic Capital City forward. We are excited to welcome the Center's projected 80,000 annual visitors, and the economic impact they will have on Downtown."