by Donald Wood
Last updated: 3:02 PM ET, Thu January 7, 2016
Rendering courtesy of New York Governor's Office
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced his 2016 agenda Thursday, including a proposal to expand and improve the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
The governor's official website is reporting that the projected cost of the upgrades and changes will be approximately $1 billion. Construction on the facility is expected to begin in late 2016.
The proposed project will expand the Javits Center's event space from 2.1 million square feet to 3.3 million, including a 60,000 square foot ballroom that will become the largest such space in the Northeast when completed.
The improvements to the New York convention center also include one level now consisting of 500,000 square feet of contiguous space, which will allow the facility to pursue bigger attractions and events.
As the busiest convention center in the United States, the Javits Center had an economic impact of $1.8 billion last year. The facility hosted 177 events and more than two million visitors in 2014, all while supporting 17,500 local jobs and generating an estimated 478,000 nightly hotel room reservations.
NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon released a statement about Cuomo's proposal:
"We are pleased to hear about the plan to expand the Javits Center on Manhattan's Far West Side. This robust plan to add more convention and meetings space capacity is welcoming news for the more than 6 million meetings delegates that convene in New York City each year. This addition will ensure NYC continues to lead in the convention and exhibition industry."
Governor Cuomo also released a statement:
"The Javits Center has long been an economic generator for this state, but we want to build and expand it to ensure it remains a premier venue for the next generation. Through one of the most aggressive development plans in the history of the State of New York, we are transforming one of our largest convention centers into an unparalleled, world-class venue. The new Javits Center will continue to garner millions in economic activity, create jobs and keep New York's economic momentum moving forward."
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