State officials begin the master planning process for a new look State Fair next week. Armed with $50 million of state funds from the recently approved state budget, fair officials can get the ball rolling on proposed fair improvements they hope will transform the aging fairgrounds into a premier, multi-use facility.
Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner says the first thing is getting experts together.
"We’re getting together a team of consultants, and they range form local engineering firms to a national firm who’s done a lot of work with state fairs across the country, and the idea is we go out and gather public input,” said Waffner.
A public hearing on May 6 will open up the conversation in the community. Initial ideas for the fair include a new IcePlex, an equestrian park and a New York-themed Main Street with restaurants.
The future of the aging grandstand is sure to get plenty of attention. As an entertainment venue during fair week, it’s expected to be replaced by the new amphitheater under construction along the western shore of Onondaga Lake.
Supporters of the very popular Super Dirt Week races at the grandstand are worried about it’s future, and are expected to push for some of the cash to be spent on renovating the main grandstand and the track. They're concerned because initial plans for a revamped fairgrounds showed the grandstand and track being removed.
"Our conceptual plan showed the grandstand gone and the track gone," said Waffner. "But that doesn’t meant that’s actually what’s going to happen. It was a conceptual plan we put out there. We are really interested in public comment and what people want.”
Waffner says all suggestions will be welcome.
