New York State Temporary State Commission on the Capital City Report, Meeting and Hearing Files

Arranged roughly by subject.

The Temporary State Commission on the Capital City was created by Chapter 319 of the Laws of 1961 for the purpose of cooperating with local officials and groups in developing recommendations for a realistic and fiscally sound program for the rehabilitation of the City of Albany.

With a $20 million appropriation from the legislature for the acquisition of property in the downtown area as sites for the construction of state buildings, a 98-acre tract contiguous to and southeast of the Capitol was acquired in March,1962. Construction of new state buildings in this area (known as the "South Mall") was begun shortly thereafter, financed by Albany County and rented to the state under a lease-purchase agreement.

The commission's 1963 report to the legislature included a comprehensive plan for the Capital City, including recommendations for location of future state buildings, land use, parking, housing, arterials, development of the Hudson River waterfront, and redevelopment of the central business district. As a result, the life of the commission was extended until 1974, and it was directed to coordinate private and governmental activities in furtherance of its recommendations.

The series consists of commission staff files that document its various activities. Subjects include, but are not limited to, architects' proposals, consultant contracts, South Mall progress reports, reports to the legislature, meeting minutes, public hearings, and news clippings. Also included are several dozen each of black and white photographs and color slides.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.