OGDENSBURG – A deal made with state lawmakers will help Ogdensburg reclaim about 56 acres of property at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

The state Assembly has passed legislation that will allow the transfer of approximately 56 acres of land on the grounds of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center to the city of Ogdensburg for redevelopment. That same agreement was approved by the Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature.

It was the latest step in the city's effort to gain control over approximately 160 acres of property on the 400-acre psych center grounds. The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center has centralized its operation on the grounds over the past several years, leaving prime real estate bordering the St. Lawrence River and state Route 37 off the tax rolls.

"This land transfer will provide a great opportunity for growth in the city and allow for the utilization of waterfront property on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. It's important to reincorporate that now vacant and unused property back into a valuable resource for the community. The city will benefit from having that valuable real estate back of the tax rolls," Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell said.

The legislation, which has also been passed by the state Senate, calls for a 50-acre parcel, including nine of 14 buildings on the site, to be transferred to the city at fair market value. The parcel stretches from the St. Lawrence River shoreline to River Drive between the Bridgeview and Trinity buildings.

That property is being eyed for residential development, and the legislation requires 15 percent of proposed rental units be made available to Office of Mental Health recipients in need of supported housing.

A separate 6.4-acre parcel, currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Community Services, is being targeted as a site for commercial development.

The city announced in January it had reached an agreement to purchase a 45-acre parcel on the psych center grounds for $265,000 from the state's Office of General Services. That property is zoned for light industry and institutional uses.