The push continues to have the Central New York Welcome Center relocated to the Equal Rights Heritage Center (ERHC) in Auburn.
Earlier this year, both Assemblyman John Lemondes and State Senator Rachel May introduced legislation in their respective houses that would direct the New York State Department of Economic Development to move the CNY Welcome Center from its current location at Destiny USA in Syracuse to the ERHC in Auburn. According to the city, the senate bill was passed on March 18, while the assembly version was referred to the Assembly’s Economic Development Committee.
City Council will vote on Thursday on a resolution that would thank Assemblyman Lemondes and Senator May for sponsoring the legislation and urge the assemblyman to continue his efforts to get the legislation to the assembly floor for a vote. It also requests that Governor Kathy Hochul sign the legislation once adopted.
The resolution states that the welcome center moving to the ERHC would be positive for both centers, the city, and Cayuga County, as well as make good on the state’s original plans to have Auburn host the CNY Welcome Center.
In 2016, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans to build ten welcome centers across the state to showcase historical, cultural, and recreational sites and help visitors plan trips. When Cuomo announced his plans, Auburn was selected to host the CNY Welcome Center; however, Syracuse would eventually be chosen as the host site.
Despite being turned down for a welcome center, the ERHC would open in Auburn in 2018.
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