Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Cuomo says $50 million NY State Fair renovation is just the beginning

Gov. Andrew Cuomo cut the ribbon to open the NY State Fair Thursday morning.
governorandrewcuomo
/
Flickr
Gov. Andrew Cuomo cut the ribbon to open the NY State Fair Thursday morning.

After cutting the ribbon yesterday to open this year’s edition of the New York State Fair, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the $50 million renovations that have gone into the New York State Fair this year is just the beginning. The Democrat says he will be asking state lawmakers to help with more changes at the more than century old fairgrounds.

"I want to propose to the legislature next year phase two. I believe there’s more we can do. I believe we can make this the best fair in the country. I believe we can make this a national destination. I believe we’re off to a great start, but there’s more that we can do,” the governor said.

Cuomo says phase two of the fair development is two-fold. First, creating a large expo center. That concept was originally talked about during the phase one plans, but didn’t make the final cut. The second prong is to turn the running of the fairgrounds over to a private operator.

"As the facility develops we’re getting more and more interest form private operators. Because this could be a 12-month facility that could book national shows all year long,” said Cuomo. The governor added that an expo center could host things like national car shows and an equestrian center.

Cuomo says at this point there’s no price tag attached to any second phase projects for the fair.

Copyright 2016 WRVO

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.