Ritchie Psych Center Jobs Plan Included in Senate Budget

Bipartisan Support for Shift of Unused Land to Local Control

A plan by Senator Patty Ritchie to create economic growth and new jobs by shifting control of unused land and buildings on the St. Lawrence Psych Center campus from the state to the local community was approved by the Senate Friday.

Senator Ritchie’s proposal to transfer 160 acres of unused campus property—including river frontage—to the City of Ogdensburg was included in the Senate’s version of the new state budget (R.4036), which passed with bipartisan support.

“My plan would create new opportunity for Ogdensburg and the entire North Country for jobs and economic growth, by transforming unused land and buildings for development, housing, industry and recreation,” Senator Ritchie said.

“For 100 years, this land has remained locked away and unavailable for development and job creation. This plan makes sense for the North Country, and I am pleased to have been able to win support in the Senate’s budget for this proposal.”

Passage by the Senate represents a major step forward for the plan, which was developed by Senator Ritchie in collaboration with the City of Ogdensburg and has been gaining growing support among local and county leaders.

Her separate legislation (S.6661/A.8943) to enact the plan was recently introduced in the State  Assembly.

The Senate budget also included new economic development funding that communities like Ogdensburg could access for job creation efforts