Auburn City Council has taken the first major steps toward a multi-million-dollar upgrade of the city’s aging water system.
Council members on Thursday unanimously approved a State Environmental Quality Review, or SEQR, resolution for a project that includes renovating the city’s nearly 100-year-old reservoir on Franklin Street, replacing sections of water main, and constructing a new water tower on the existing site.
The council also approved a bond ordinance authorizing up to $13.03 million in serial bonds to finance the project. City officials stress that amount is not expected to be the final cost to ratepayers because Auburn plans to pursue state grant funding to offset expenses.
Council also unanimously authorized staff to apply for a New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act drinking water grant.
Officials say the project is still in its early stages and will return to the council multiple times over the next one to three years as plans advance. The city expects to learn more about potential grant funding later this fall, with additional council action likely later this year or in the spring of 2027.
