Old jail project going out to bid
NORWICH – The Chenango County legislature voted last week to front unappropriated surplus of $3.1 million in order to develop the former jail and sheriff’s office on West Park Place into offices for the Department of Social Services.
What began with a $40,000 feasibility study offered by the New York State Office of Court Administration back in 2005, and resulted in an architectural firm’s estimate of $2.7 million in January 2007, has finally approached the bidding phase.
The project calls for demolishing the century-old cell block to separate the two buildings, installing an elevator, and completing extensive restoration work. Interior renovations were added to the project’s scope in 2006 when the county agreed to partner with DSS instead of the court system.
The New York State Department of Social Services will absorb about 75 to 80 percent of the project’s cost over a 15-year period, Treasurer William Evans said.
Over the three-year planning phase, town and city of Norwich supervisors belabored the building’s soundness and overall aesthetic significance because of its location adjacent to the historical Chenango County Courthouse. All options were reviewed, including selling the building, giving it away, and tearing it down.
Determining the value of the building aside from its historic merit became a stumbling block for the committee. However, Town of Pharsalia Supervisor Dennis Brown most adamantly opposed tearing down the 105-year old structure down due to its significance. Other supervisors, including Peter C. Flanagan, D-Preston, Janice O’Shea, R-Coventry, and Robert Briggs, R-Afton, questioned the need for additional office space in the county.
John Lawrence of John Snyder Architects of Ithaca was hired in 2006. County leaders decided to purchased a $28,000 boiler later in the year and two DSS departments moved into the former dormitory and inmate recreation/visitors room later in the year.
Since then, the project experienced delays with environmental and historical review processes and an existing emergency management cable that still connects the former Sheriff’s Office to the Public Safety Facility about15 miles south of the city.
The ‘extension chord’ is expected to be taken down in the fall, according to Emergency Management Deputy Director Matt Beckwith.
Supervisors voted 19 to 2 to proceed to bid, with objections voiced by David C. Law, R-Norwich, and Jerry L. Kreiner, R-Plymouth.
“In light of the economy and the future of Chenango County, this is a lot of money to put into an old building. ... Let’s not leave our next generation in dire straights,” Law said.
City of Norwich Supervisor James J. McNeil, Wards 1,2,3, asked his fellow supervisors whether bonding for a portion of the project’s cost would be more advantageous for taxpayers. Supervisor Brown, vice-chairman of the Finance Committee, said bonding rates were unfavorable and all other financing options “were discussed for a long period of time.”
“We do have enough surplus funds to cover the cost while being paid back by DSS. The concept was to live up to our responsibility for the old jail, find a partner who could use it and kick in some money, and to free up room for the court system,” he said.
A handful of departments, the supervisors boardroom and chairman’s office will all move over to the vacated DSS space at the County Office Building on Court Street. The Sixth District Judicial Court staff, attorneys and judges in Norwich will replace them.
The architects plan to put the project out to bid in September.
What began with a $40,000 feasibility study offered by the New York State Office of Court Administration back in 2005, and resulted in an architectural firm’s estimate of $2.7 million in January 2007, has finally approached the bidding phase.
The project calls for demolishing the century-old cell block to separate the two buildings, installing an elevator, and completing extensive restoration work. Interior renovations were added to the project’s scope in 2006 when the county agreed to partner with DSS instead of the court system.
The New York State Department of Social Services will absorb about 75 to 80 percent of the project’s cost over a 15-year period, Treasurer William Evans said.
Over the three-year planning phase, town and city of Norwich supervisors belabored the building’s soundness and overall aesthetic significance because of its location adjacent to the historical Chenango County Courthouse. All options were reviewed, including selling the building, giving it away, and tearing it down.
Determining the value of the building aside from its historic merit became a stumbling block for the committee. However, Town of Pharsalia Supervisor Dennis Brown most adamantly opposed tearing down the 105-year old structure down due to its significance. Other supervisors, including Peter C. Flanagan, D-Preston, Janice O’Shea, R-Coventry, and Robert Briggs, R-Afton, questioned the need for additional office space in the county.
John Lawrence of John Snyder Architects of Ithaca was hired in 2006. County leaders decided to purchased a $28,000 boiler later in the year and two DSS departments moved into the former dormitory and inmate recreation/visitors room later in the year.
Since then, the project experienced delays with environmental and historical review processes and an existing emergency management cable that still connects the former Sheriff’s Office to the Public Safety Facility about15 miles south of the city.
The ‘extension chord’ is expected to be taken down in the fall, according to Emergency Management Deputy Director Matt Beckwith.
Supervisors voted 19 to 2 to proceed to bid, with objections voiced by David C. Law, R-Norwich, and Jerry L. Kreiner, R-Plymouth.
“In light of the economy and the future of Chenango County, this is a lot of money to put into an old building. ... Let’s not leave our next generation in dire straights,” Law said.
City of Norwich Supervisor James J. McNeil, Wards 1,2,3, asked his fellow supervisors whether bonding for a portion of the project’s cost would be more advantageous for taxpayers. Supervisor Brown, vice-chairman of the Finance Committee, said bonding rates were unfavorable and all other financing options “were discussed for a long period of time.”
“We do have enough surplus funds to cover the cost while being paid back by DSS. The concept was to live up to our responsibility for the old jail, find a partner who could use it and kick in some money, and to free up room for the court system,” he said.
A handful of departments, the supervisors boardroom and chairman’s office will all move over to the vacated DSS space at the County Office Building on Court Street. The Sixth District Judicial Court staff, attorneys and judges in Norwich will replace them.
The architects plan to put the project out to bid in September.
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