ALBANY, N.Y. -- Joe Amore came to Albany from Italy when he was 30 years old. He now lists his age at 39 plus tax. But the Wellington Hotel that sits across from his tailoring business, Amore Clothing, is much, much older.

"See now what you see, piece of junk for 25 years. My dream every day I pray that before I retire I hope they do something. Today, my dream come true."

His dream come true is a $65 million renovation of five buildings that have been vacant and run down for over two decades. The buildings will eventually house 15 apartments, retail space and offices. Amore has high hopes for the finished product.

"Like 5th Avenue, New York City," he said. "I'm not going to call it anymore State Street. I call it 5th Avenue."

Rob Amore said, "You bring in the restaurants and the bars, retail, and having people live downtown also, that always seems to be last, but if you build it they will come."

Columbia Development President Joseph Nicolla said, "It's gigantic, it's monumental. And when you look at this project, it really has the ability to change the streetscape of Albany.

And while the new renovations are exciting, everyone agrees the most important part of the project is keeping the historical integrity of the buildings.

Rob Amore said, "The marble and the archways over there, they're gorgeous. I mean, you can't build that today. No body wants to spend that kind of money."

The initial construction starts Monday with the environmental checks on the building, but the project won't wrap until 2011, though Joe Amore is just glad something's being done.

He said, "Very happy, very, very happy. I wait for this day a long time. I wait for this day a long time, believe me."

So 2011 suits him just fine.