The Cayuga County Legislature has approved an agreement involving the Garden Street facility, taking what officials describe as the first step toward establishing a long-term home for county government operations following the closure of the County Office Building at 160 Genesee St.
County officials said the decision comes after more than two years of evaluating options to address the county’s space needs while maintaining public services and limiting costs to taxpayers.
Since the office building closed, officials have examined several alternatives, including returning county government operations to the Genesee Street facility. According to the county, remediation costs for the building are estimated at about $9 million, with renovation costs projected between $50 million and $60 million.
County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna said the Garden Street facility emerged as the most practical option after an extensive review process.
“We evaluated multiple alternatives, but no other option emerged that provided the combination of affordability, functionality, available space and long-term value offered by the Garden Street facility,” Anna said in a statement.
Officials said the facility could allow county departments to be consolidated in one location, improve public access to services and provide a permanent location for county government operations while avoiding the costs associated with renovating the County Office Building.
County officials said the move could also create redevelopment opportunities for the current County Office Building site. Anna said the county hopes to work with economic development partners and private investors to explore future uses for the property that could strengthen downtown Auburn and eventually return the site to the tax rolls.
Officials emphasized that the agreement does not finalize the county’s move to the Garden Street facility. Environmental reviews, engineering and structural evaluations, financing plans, facility design work and departmental space planning will continue before final occupancy decisions are made.
“Tonight’s action is an important milestone, but it is only the first step in a multi-step process,” Anna said.
