WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer is requesting that New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines delay the demolition of the former veterans’ home in Oxford.
In a personal letter to Daines on Tuesday, Schumer wrote that local officials are currently pursuing a positive use for the building on state Hwy 220, and demolishing it while that process is ongoing “makes no sense,” especially when the demolition would cost upwards of $1 million in a time of fiscal constraint.
“For a minimal investment, the structure could be made secure and weatherproofed while the community solicits input from private investors and reviews reuse opportunities,” he wrote.
A spokesperson for the New York State Dormitory Authority said Monday that asbestos abatement and demolition is officially scheduled to begin in the fall. Staff and residents moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the old one last fall.
Commerce Chenango President and Chief Executive Officer Maureen P. Carpenter called on the region’s state representatives on Friday, imploring them to save the 30-year-old building. The Chamber, along with a grassroots organization of citizens, business and government leaders in Oxford and Chenango County, are dedicated, she said, to finding a reuse for the home.
Oxford businessman David Emerson said there are many economic development opportunities that the building presents.
“There’s no polite way to say how idiotic this is. It’s just ludicrous that we can’t inventory economic development for a future opportunity. It’s pretty lame excuse that they say since you don’t have a plan, that there’s no reason to keep it around, especially in the condition it’s in. It’s in excellent condition,” he said.
Schumer is also the author of the Homes for Heroes Act which, if passed, could help provide funding to the community if they wanted to rehabilitate the facility to house or assist homeless veterans. To help provide much-needed housing for homeless vets, the legislation would establish a $225 million assistance program for community and nonprofit organizations to purchase, build or rehabilitate housing for low-income veterans. The organizations would also provide supportive services including substance abuse and mental health counseling, vocational and employment training, transportation, child care and other services to help veterans live independently.
“To demolish the former veterans center when there is still a possibility that it can still serve the community is penny and pound foolish, especially when it would take upwards of $1 million knock down,” said Schumer. “In difficult fiscal times, we should be leaving no stone unturned in our search for savings, and leaving the vets center standing for the time being would both save money and potentially benefit the community. It’s a win-win.”