Introducing The Reconnect the Empire State Plaza Report
In 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the $400-million Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative to reinvigorate Downtown Albany through strategic investments in infrastructure, public spaces, and economic development. As part of the CAP initiative, OGS is leading the Reconnect the Empire State Plaza project, a community-focused vision to make the Plaza more inclusive and accessible, and connected to surrounding neighborhoods, backed by a $25 million investment from Governor Hochul.
The Reconnect the Empire State Plaza project is driven by extensive public engagement. We heard from nearly 2,000 survey respondents, 400 public forum attendees, and 60 local leaders to shape a shared vision for the Plaza's future.
The result is a visionary report that reimagines the 98-acre Empire State Plaza as a more welcoming, active, and inviting space for workers, visitors, and neighbors. The report prioritizes near-term high-impact investments that will tangibly improve the visitor experience while fostering everyday community engagement.
Realizing New Possibilities at the Plaza
Governor Kathy Hochul's $25 million from the Championing Albany's Potential (CAP) Initiative delivers visible, crucial upgrades.
- Reconnecting Bridging the gap between the Plaza, Downtown Albany, and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Revitalizing Expanding everyday amenities, community spaces, and opportunities to engage through art and cultural programs.
- Transforming Adapting parts of the Plaza into flexible, green, and accessible public spaces.
$25 Million Investment at Work High-Impact Improvements Across the Plaza
Building on Governor Hochul’s historic investments in Downtown Albany and the Empire State Plaza, her $25 million investment through the Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) initiative will result in visible changes to the Plaza in the near term. Responsive to insights from public feedback, OGS will undertake a series of high-impact projects to deliver meaningful improvements within five years. Key projects:
- Improving Navigation and Signage: Clarifying wayfinding to help people get around more easily.
- Enhancing Visitor Experience: Expanding the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center to serve as a welcoming hub for tours and visitors, connecting singular cultural assets from the New York State Museum to the Capitol.
- Upgrading the Concourse food court: Making it more inviting with local business vendors.
- Improving Plaza-to-Concourse Access: Enhancing the pathways between the Concourse and the Plaza level.
- Public Restroom Access: Constructing permanent, accessible restrooms on the Plaza level.
- Swan Street Porch: Transforming the Swan Street Bridge into a pedestrian-friendly and welcoming gateway to the Plaza.
Strengthening the Plaza's relationship with Downtown Albany Visionary Projects for the Future
Future aspirational design concepts that would transform the Plaza into a space that encourages gathering, exploration, and return visits, while strengthening its relationship with Downtown Albany.
Thank You, Albany! A Shared, Connected, and Inclusive Vision
Reconnect the Empire State Plaza is proudly driven by a collaboration between the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) and our community, city, and county partners.
- 1,900 Online Survey Submissions
- 400 Public Workshop Attendees
- 60 Focus Group Participants
Governor Kathy Hochul's Championing Albany's Potential (CAP) Initiative
Governor Kathy Hochul's $400-million Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative includes $200 million dedicated to revitalizing the capital city's downtown core. Led by Empire State Development, the Downtown Albany Strategy (DTAS) is an action-oriented blueprint to unlock Downtown Albany's full potential and position it as a regional hub for housing, innovation, and inclusive growth.
With $150 million in CAP funding dedicated to transforming cultural experiences in and around Downtown Albany, the New York State Museum Visioning Task Force is a diverse group of nationally recognized leaders who will help shape a strong vision for the Museum’s future as a tourism destination and cultural anchor.
With $40 million in CAP funding secured to begin an environmental impact statement, this study will examine ways to enhance waterfront access along the Hudson River for all users, connect neighborhoods and key destinations in communities along the corridor, and address the infrastructure of I-787, the South Mall Expressway, and the Dunn Memorial Bridge.
You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers
- What is the Reconnect the Empire State Plaza Report?
Commissioned by the New York State Office of General Services (OGS), the report reenvisions the 98-acre Empire State Plaza as a more welcoming, active, and connected space for daily users, visitors, and surrounding neighborhoods. The project supports Governor Kathy Hochul's Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) initiative, a coordinated effort to reimagine Downtown Albany through strategic investments in its infrastructure, public realm, and economic assets.
- How are the projects within the report being funded, and what will the initial $25 million cover?
Governor Hochul has dedicated an initial $25 million investment to the Empire State Plaza from the larger CAP Initiative funding. Informed by public feedback, this investment is focused on near-term, high-impact experience and accessibility enhancements, including:
- Improving wayfinding
- Upgrading the Empire State Plaza Visitor’s Center to serve as a hub to welcome visitors and tours
- Enhancing the Concourse food court
- Improving access points between the Concourse and the Plaza
- Constructing permanent, accessible bathrooms on the Plaza level
- Transforming the streetscape on the Swan Street Bridge
- How will the long-term visionary projects be funded?
The report identifies multiple visionary projects designed to support the Plaza’s long-term revitalization, including the Madison Avenue Gateway, Central Plaza Lawn, and Downtown Walkway. These are high-impact initiatives dependent on sustained partnerships and future investment, and would be coordinated alongside OGS’s regular capital planning and prioritization process.
- When will the implementation of these projects start, and how long will they take?
Visible work on the near-term priority projects funded by the Governor’s $25 million upfront investment will unfold incrementally over the next five years. Visionary projects could be integrated into planned OGS capital projects as future funding becomes available. As part of its ongoing work, OGS will develop a comprehensive master plan for the Empire State Plaza to further coordinate proposed improvements.
- Do you expect these projects to interrupt everyday life for commuters and neighbors?
While the projects aim to transform the Plaza into a more welcoming and accessible space, some temporary disruptions can be expected during construction. All efforts will be made to communicate these well in advance and minimize their impact on the public.
- Will this proposal infringe on Hudson-Jay Park?
While NYS owns the parcels of land that make up Hudson-Jay Park, there are no plans for projects that will interfere with the park.
- Who led the development of the report?
The Reconnect the Empire State Plaza project is led by the New York State Office of General Services (OGS). OGS enlisted WXY Studio, a New York-based multidisciplinary design firm, to support the community outreach that informed the development of this report.
Current Work
New and Upcoming at the Plaza
The Reconnect the Empire State Plaza vision builds on significant investments from Governor Hochul. From the Eastern Approach rehabilitation at the New York State Capitol to the launch of the Empire State Plaza Art Collection Digital Guide on Bloomberg Connects, follow the links below to learn more about what's new and what's in store at the Plaza.