ALBANY, N.Y. -- Former Albany Jerry Jennings has waited a long time to see a convention center come to the state capital.
On Tuesday, Jennings finally saw his vision become a reality with the opening of the Albany Capital Center.
"I'm happy to see it come [to] fruition, because it benefits everyone in the whole Capital Region," Jennings said.
He was one of several officials on hand for the opening. Many took a tour of the several murals on display on the first level, along with the six meeting rooms.
On the next level, the facility features a 22,000-square foot ballroom and exhibit space. That room can also be turned into basketball courts.
"One of the big things the governor wanted us to do is to make this a multi-purpose event space," said Gavin Donohue of the Albany Convention Center Authority. "These ceilings are 26 feet high [and] will allow us to attract NCAA events that, currently, Albany doesn't qualify to have."
The $78.5 million center also has walkways linking to the Times Union Center and the Empire State Plaza.
Officials say so far, more than 60 events have been booked for the year. An additional 28 events have already been booked through 2021. They say this will help bring more visitors and spending to downtown Albany.
"World class cities are judged by the way they receive their visitors," said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. "This is an amazing place to be received."
The project took a little less than two years to complete. Officials said this wouldn't have been possible without the partnership of city, county and state lawmakers.
"This is going to be the place to come in the Capital District, and it's going to be the showcase and you're going to have the places," said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy.
"It seems to me that our capital city should shine beyond all others, because this is where people look to," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.