Ritchie Wants OCF Reuse Plan Released

Before the state legislature acts on a proposal to close Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia A. Ritchie wants the state to publicly explain how it plans to re-use the facility as required by law.

Mrs. Ritchie has sent a letter to state Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) Commissioner Brian Fischer, urging him to complete a legally required prison re-use study so that lawmakers and the public will have a better picture of the site's future, the potential for replacing its 287 jobs, and the long term impact of the closing on the broader local community.

"Employees, taxpayers, families and area businesses need assurance that the state has fully and carefully considered the implications of its decision beyond the brief justifications from the department and the Governor's office, contained in one-page fact sheets and press statements," Mrs. Ritchie's wrote in her letter.

The proposal has caused "considerable anxiety among employees, their families, officials and concerned neighbors here in Northern New York. The loss of another major employer would be a substantial blow in a region already struggling with a jobless rate that is consistently among the worst in the state, notwithstanding your spokesman's not-so-convincing comments that unspecified positions will be available for all affected staff."

State Correction Law 79-b requires the commissioner to study and issue a report on the potential re-use of a prison facility prior to closing. However, in the case of three prisons closed last year - Camp Gabriels, Camp Mt. McGregor and Camp Pharsalia - the Senate and Assembly voted to waive that requirement, and allowed the commissioner to issue his report months after the facilities were shut down.

The report found no use for the now-closed facilities.

"That's hardly an economic development scheme and, frankly, does not come close to complying with the spirit of section 79-b that is supposed to protect communities from upheaval in the wake of the state's sudden withdrawal," Mrs. Ritchie wrote.

"The fact is Albany didn't have a plan for those facilities, and it doesn't have one for OCF," Mrs. Ritchie said. "We don't need another abandoned complex in place of what was a major employer for our region."

Mrs. Ritchie said she hoped that completing the study would make state officials realize that the proposal to close OCF was short-sighted and misguided, particularly in light of the region's weak economy and already high jobless rate.

The following is the full letter written by Mrs. Ritchie to Mr. Fischer:

"Albany's proposal to close the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility has caused considerable anxiety among employees, their families, officials and concerned neighbors here in Northern NY. The loss of another major employer would be a substantial blow in a region already struggling with a jobless rate that is consistently among the worst in the state, notwithstanding your spokesman's not-so-convincing comments that unspecified positions will be available for all affected staff.

"Employees, taxpayers, families and area businesses need assurance that the state has fully and carefully considered the implications of its decision beyond the brief justifications from the department and the Governor's office, contained in one-page fact sheets and press statements.

"What is the long-term impact on the surrounding community? What is to become of the facility itself? Will it be allowed to become an abandoned blight on the community? To be sure, closing a correctional facility is more than just a simple budgetary decision.

"In the case of OCF, it will have long-lasting effect on the economy and quality of life of the city and surrounding communities, businesses and families.

"As you know, Correction Law section 79-b requires that the commissioner produce a report on the adaptive reuse of any correctional facility "no later than six months prior to the effective date of closure."

"Last year, the Legislature waived that requirement with respect to the three Upstate facilities that were ordered closed, allowing the commissioner to issue his reuse report three months after the facilities were already shut down.

"In each case, the department found no practical reuse and, in the case of one facility, found its likely future involved no more than razing the buildings and reseeding the site. That's hardly an economic development scheme and, frankly, does not come close to complying with the spirit of section 79-b that is supposed to protect communities from upheaval in the wake of the state's sudden withdrawal.

"That report should be a red flag for the future of OCF. The state's characterization of OCF as aged, and in need of significant restoration and repair valued at multimillions of dollars certainly has done little to increase the property's attractiveness to potential developers, businesses or investors.

"For these reasons, I respectfully request—and the Legislature should insist—that you submit your adaptive reuse report prior to enactment of any plan to close a correctional facility. That way, Senators and Assembly members will have the benefit of all the facts, including the potential for reuse, sale or development of the facility, before deciding whether to accept your recommendation to close OCF or any other facility. There is nothing in Correction Law 79-b that precludes such an analysis before the Legislature acts.

"As part of that review, you should inventory all DOCS properties to determine, should a prison closing actually be necessary, if any hold a stronger potential for reuse that could also provide additional financial benefit to the state, such as through the sale or lease of that property. Sing Sing prison, for example, sits on land valued at least four times higher than that of OCF, with a commanding view of the Hudson River and valley that could make it a prime site for redevelopment.

"I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss these proposals. I plan to be in Albany soon to join corrections officers, employees and staff of the affected prisons to publicly express their opposition to the current closure proposals. I hope you can find some time to meet with me on that occasion.

"The need to close OCF, or any Upstate correctional facility, should not be considered a foregone conclusion. Significant questions remain concerning whether it is truly in the best interests of the state and its taxpayers to move forward with this proposal. I hope that you will give my suggestions the serious consideration they deserve, and look forward to hearing from you soon."