SYRACUSE N.Y. -- The construction of the new Exposition Center at the state fairgrounds is now at the halfway point in terms of the steel structure, said acting fair director Troy Waffner.

"It's interesting to see it go from a concept to a building. This facility will, by itself in conjunction with the other buildings, allow us to bring in shows that would have bypassed Syracuse because we didn't have the square footage."

The Expo Center will be the largest events facility north of New York City and between Boston and Cleveland. It will feature 110,000 square feet of modern, flexible programming space with 4,000 retractable seats and a clear span of 250 feet. It can hold up to 500 10-foot by 10-foot booths.

The Expo Center will be ready in time for the opening of the New York State Fair on August 22, exactly 114 days from today.