The Albany Convention Center Authority expects to hear in early June the results of a state review of the proposed financing and cost estimates for a nearly $400 million downtown convention center.

The report from Empire State Development, which will include an analysis by the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, will be ready in early June, according to the authority's executive director, Duncan Stewart.

The state hired PricewaterhouseCoopers in late February at a cost of $50,000 to review the financial viability of building the center on Hudson Avenue near the Greyhound bus station.

The convention center authority has identified a roughly $200 million gap between the funds available for the project and the estimated cost to build the 244,000-square-foot facility, 400-bed hotel and 1,100-vehicle parking garage.

The city’s financial situation has grown increasingly bleak since Jennings began his term as mayor. Jennings has relied increasingly on state aid and city surplus funds to balance his budgets. State PILOT payments made to Albany to support the proposed Albany Convention Center are scheduled to decrease in the next couple of years, and may eventually dry up.

Said Calsolaro, “Jerry started in 1994 with a $27 million surplus, and it was gone by 1999. He wiped it all out in six years to artificially keep taxes down and not cut anything. You don’t see cuts in the budgets he proposes. He is unwilling to make hard choices.”

Critics say Jennings has spoken out on the financial issue in an attempt to head off criticism during next year’s mayoral race, and to echo the financial concerns expressed by Gov. David Paterson.

Calsolaro insisted that Jennings was spoiled by the extra state aid delivered to him by former Gov. George Pataki, and that relying on such state aid to balance Albany’s budget is irresponsible. But it allowed Jennings to boost his popularity by not raising taxes.

“The mayor has done a very good job of bringing revenue in from the state,” said Nitido. “We do not get the same state aid other cities get, and we should try and right that, but that is not the whole answer.”

Calsolaro said that if Jennings does not run for reelection next year, or if he is defeated, that the person who replaces him will be left with unpopular choices to be made.

“He is not a financial manager,” said Calsolaro. “He has been a terrible financial manager of city funds. No matter how much money he gets, it’s gone.”

Lester Freeman, candidate for NYS's 21st Congressional District and City of Albany's EEO Coordinator has been vindicated in his charges against his supervisor. Lester Freeman filed a grievance with the mayor's office on March 27th, 2008 against Troy Mackey, the City of Albany's Commissioner of Administrative Services, although it hadn't been addressed by the city in a formal hearing, Mr. Mackey has left the city's employment.

"Am I considering a run for Congress? No. I sleep faster than they work there," the mayor told the Rotary Club today at Wolferts Roost Country Club

An entire city block is being renovated in an effort to reinvigorate the Park South neighborhood, with the first apartments available for rent next month.

Boston-based WinnDevelopment is rehabilitating 18 buildings on Knox Street, converting 62 cramped apartments to 47 roomier ones in the first phase of the Park South Urban Renewal Plan. Adopted by the city in 2005, the plan aims to restore the neighborhood with retail, commercial and office development.

The $12.5 million project was paid for with funds from the city's Community Development Agency, low-income tax credits from the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, and tax credits from the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Bruno's office declined on Wednesday to respond to questions about the investigation, including whether any Senate staffers have been subpoenaed. No one in the office would say how many staffers have retained attorneys or how those attorneys are being paid.

"We will respond when we are ready," said Mark Hansen, Bruno's spokesman. "You guys do whatever you are going to do, when you are going to do it. We just finished session and we are not going to answer you tonight."

A person involved in the case said several "secretaries" for the Senate majority have retained counsel in recent months. Also, Francis Gluchowski, legislative counsel for the Senate majority, has retained Latham attorney Peter Moschetti in connection with the investigation, the person said.

Gluchowski was formerly counsel to the legislative ethics panel and, in his position for the Senate majority's office, is heavily involved in crafting draft ethics opinions that are forwarded to the panel for consideration, according to people familiar with the process.