What's happening
This bill authorizes the transfer of state property at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center to the city of Ogdensburg or a private buyer.
Why it matters
Potential for Local Economic Growth. By allowing the city of Ogdensburg or a private buyer to acquire and redevelop a significant parcel (25 acres) of state-owned land, the bill opens opportunities for new development projects—especially around the existing Co-generation Plant—which could create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
Checks and Oversight on Future Land Use. The requirement for approval from multiple state agencies (Office of Mental Health, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and Division of Budget) for any sale and proposed use of the land ensures that future development does not interfere with nearby mental health or correctional facilities, protecting vulnerable populations and public safety.
State Support for Redevelopment Efforts. The legislation allows the state to assist Ogdensburg in marketing and promoting the property to private developers, which could help attract investment and expertise that the city may not be able to secure on its own.
Time-Limited Opportunity with Defined Scope. The bill establishes a one-year window for the city or private buyers to apply for the land and requires an accurate survey at the buyer’s expense, ensuring that only serious proposals move forward and that there is clarity about the property boundaries and responsibilities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Sell Psychiatric Center Land
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Sell State Hospital Land
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Mark Walczyk
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1228
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT authorizing the commissioner of general services to convey real property at the St. Lawrence psychiatric center to the city of Ogdensburg
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of the office of general services is authorized and empowered to transfer and convey to the city of Ogdensburg or a private buyer the state property described in section two of this act, said property being a portion of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center located in the city of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county. Such transfer and conveyance shall be for fair market value and upon such other terms and conditions as said commissioner may determine. Due to the proximity of the land and improvements to be transferred and conveyed to existing mental health and correctional facilities, said terms and conditions of any transfer and conveyance, including the proposed use of said land, shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of the office of mental health, the commissioner of the department of corrections and community supervision, and the director of the division of budget.
§ 2. The land authorized by this act to be conveyed consists of one parcel of land at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, in the city of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, and is generally described as follows:
Parcel D: 25 acres for Co-Gen development, bounded to the south by Entrance Ave., on the east by Cottage Drive, on the north by Office of Mental Health long-term property, on the west by buildings 32, 34, 35, 37 and 42 which are not to be included, to include the Co-generation Plant and building numbers 47, 54, 55, and 103.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04391-01-9
S. 1228 2
§ 3. In addition to the aforementioned, the state may assist the city in marketing and promoting any of the parcel described in section two of this act to private developers.
§ 4. The description in section two of this act of the land to be conveyed is not intended to be a legal description, but it is intended only to identify the premises to be conveyed. As a condition of purchase, the city of Ogdensburg or private buyer shall submit to the commissioner of the office of general services for said commissioner's approval an accurate survey and description of the lands generally described in section two of this act, which may be used in the conveyance thereof. Such survey shall be paid for by the land purchaser.
§ 5. The commissioner of the office of general services shall not grant the land described in section two of this act unless application is made therefor by the city of Ogdensburg or a private buyer within one year after the effective date of this act.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act authorizing the commissioner of general services to convey real property at the St. Lawrence psychiatric center to the city of Ogdens- burg
Purpose
To convey certain surplus land at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center to the city of Ogdensburg or a private buyer.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 authorizes the Commissioner of General Services to convey certain specified land and improvements situated thereon, at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.
Section 2 describes the parcel of land at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center that is to be conveyed to the prospective buyer.
Section 3 permits the state to assist the city of Ogdensburg in the marketing and promotion of the parcel described in section two.
Section 4 provides that the description set forth in section two of this act is not intended to be a legal description, but is intended to iden- tify the premises to be conveyed. This act further requires that, as a condition of sale, the prospective buyer shall submit to the Commission- er of the Office of General Services an accurate survey and description of the land described in section two.
Section 5 provides that the Commission of the Office of General Services shall not grant the land described in section two of this act unless application is made by the city of Ogdensburg within one year after the effective date of this act.
Section 6 is the effective date.
Justification
The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center's campus offers opportunities to transform surplus properties into economic engines that can help attract new private sector investment, spur job creation and help revitalize Northern New York's economy. The City of Ogdensburg has proposed a long- term vision to redevelop surplus properties on the 125-year-old campus to encourage economic development and grow its tax base. This initiative to allow the State of New York to sell 25 acres, known as Parcel D, to the city or a private developer will help drive the overall revitaliza- tion of four parcels proposed for future development, including mixed residential use, commercial and industrial projects. Development of these parcels will also serve as a model for New York State to show how to harness vacant and surplus properties by transforming them into major community assets that can help attract private sector investment, create jobs and improve the quality of life for new and current residents.
Legislative history
2017-2018: S.3652/A.3949
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.