Empire State Development has selected a firm to lead economic revitalization in downtown Albany as part of New York state's $400 million investment in the Capital City.

At an event held Wednesday in Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul launched the Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative. The spending includes $200 million to reinvigorate downtown spaces and grow housing; up to $150 million to upgrade cultural attractions, including the State Museum; up to $40 million to reconnect communities to Interstate 787; and $1.5 million for public safety enhancements.

As part of the CAP Initiative, the planning and economic development firm MIG will develop a roadmap and prioritize projects in the city's downtown.

"We'll bring downtown neighborhoods, desolate blocks, back to life. The shuttered storefronts, abandoned buildings (will be) teeming with people and business and transformative projects so people want to be here," Hochul told a crowd that included several area elected officials.

Community engagement and neighborhood stakeholder briefings will start next moonth and be held throughout the summer, Hochul said. You can receive additional information on those as it becomes available here.

Hochul also announced Wednesday that on May 28, Empire State Development and Capitalize Albany will launch a request for proposals to redevelop the nearly eight-acre Liberty Park site, described as the largest development site in downtown Albany.