The unanimous task force vote on the site followed a presentation by Cannon Design, which was the consultant for the site selection portion of the project. Cannon looked at a total of nine sites in Buffalo�s downtown and waterfront areas. 

The new convention center will have a 125,000 square foot exhibition hall and a 30,000 square foot ballroom, which doubles the size of the present center.  Plans call for an enclosed walkway to connect the center with the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

�This announcement illustrates Buffalo�s commitment to growing its convention and trade show industry,� said Jon Dandes, chairman of the Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau. �Buffalo is known as a big league sports town and soon we hope to be known as a big league convention town.� 

The cost of the new building is estimated at $124.5 million, which includes construction, land acquisition, site preparation and infrastructure.

Plans call for the county committing $30 million in funding with the remainder of the money to come from the state, as well as the private sector, through such items as parking, naming rights and the designation of a concessionaire. 

Richard Geiger, president and CEO of the Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau applauded Gorski for taking the lead on funding the center, noting the new building will be a major marketing tool enabling the Bureau to go after a greater number of national conventions than ever before.

�The openings of our waterfront arena two year ago, and our new international airport last year, have proved to be economic catalysts for the area. The announced commitment to build a new downtown convention center sparks a new era of revitalization for downtown. This revitalization will poise our community for entrance into the next millennium on solid economic footing,� said Geiger

A number of possible re-uses for the current convention center will be considered including a casino, exploratorium for children and a mixed use retail, entertainment and commercial building.