Seneca County has issued a Request for Proposals seeking proposals for the redevelopment of the former Willard Drug Treatment Center campus. The 550-acre Site has 75+ buildings, a mile of Seneca Lake shoreline, and on-site infrastructure. Funding committed by the Seneca County Legislature, Historic Tax Credits, and other various financial resources could be utilized to return the site, which is adjacent to Sampson State Park, to productive use.
The Request for Proposals and supporting documents are available here. Responses are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 15, 2024, to Tracy Verrier at [email protected].
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision currently owns the campus in Romulus and is supportive of the county’s efforts to pursue proposals and facilitate a transaction. A site visit will be held in August, the details of which will be posted to the Request for Proposals webpage upon finalization.
The former Willard Drug Treatment Center campus was included in the 2022 Prison Redevelopment Commission’s report and most recently operated as a facility offering treatment and diversion programming for drug-addicted convicts, but has operated within various mental health, medical, and educational uses in its long history. Over the years, the State has made investments in on-site utility infrastructure for water, wastewater, electric, internet, and natural gas services. According to the county, most of these facilities are in generally good condition, and the capacity available should be sufficient to accommodate most future uses. The Site’s 75+ buildings range in layout, prior use, and condition. The county lists some notable assets including abundant cold storage, lake views, and a theater facility.
“Seneca County could not be more excited to partner with the state and many other agencies to begin what will be a historic turning point for the redevelopment of the Willard campus. We are very excited to see this project take off, and anxiously await what the future holds for this site.” – Michael Enslow, Chairman Seneca County Board of Supervisors
“This is an important step for Seneca County to have control of the development of the former Willard Drug Treatment Campus,” said Assemblyman Phil Palmesano. “With Seneca County leading the redevelopment, they will be able to adapt their vision for the future of the site that coincides with the local economy and cultural history of the property.”
“This represents an important step for Seneca County toward the future redevelopment of the site of the former Willard Drug Treatment Campus,” said State Senator Tom O’Mara. “We look forward to working closely with the state to assist the county’s ongoing efforts to build a public-private partnership that will accomplish an exciting and productive reuse of this valuable property for the future of Seneca County’s communities, residents, and taxpayers.”
This Request for Proposals aims to identify a Preferred Master Developer with whom Seneca County will enter into a public-private partnership agreement for the redevelopment of the entire Site. The County has encumbered $500,000 to assist the Preferred Master Developer in advancing the redevelopment plan. The County also seeks to identify Potential Development Partners with interest in specific portions of the Site. All responses will be reviewed and scored based on the criteria outlined in the RFP, with a particular focus on the type of proposed development and end use, the project’s anticipated community impacts, and the respondent’s capacity, qualifications, and experience related to the proposed project.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
