Some Utica officials want state to follow through with commitment on vacant building
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: August 9, 2012
Some officials in Utica say the state had plans of demolishing one building sitting vacant on the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center campus.
But, they say nothing has been done.
Some officials met Thursday night to discuss plans on the Brigham Building, which is New York State property.
It's been vacant for decades and now, some Utica Common Councilmembers say developers may be interested in that property.
Some members of the Urban & Economic Development Committee wants the state to follow through with a commitment made to the city concerning the vacant building on the corner of Noyes and York Streets on the M.V. Psych Center's campus.
"Since they have not done that we are basically asking them to keep the commitment to demolish it. And if not, which we rather not, pen it up so we can develop it," said Frank Vescera, 1st Ward.
Councilman Frank Vescera says there are three area private developers who have expressed an interest in taking a look at the building.
But, one of the developers, Dr. Taras Herbowy says the Urban and Economic Development Committee must be in contact with the Governor's Office before making any plans of development.
"The state owns the land and they may be contemplating its use and may not necessarily be prepared to respond of what they plan on doing because of other actions that may need to take place," said Dr. Herbowy.
Although it may be just the beginning a plan to develop on the Brigham Building, the city needs a response from the state.
And not only that, if the city did get approval to demolish or develop the building, Dr. Herbowy says there are other factors to consider before coming up a plan.
"Before you do that you would have to do environmentals and determine whether or not the use of the site would be viable for such a project," said Dr. Herbowy.
Councilman Vescera says the committee plans on writing to the state to get answers.
Eyewitness News reached out to the Governor's Office for a comment, but our calls were not returned as of news time Thursday night.
