Support for a plan that would return 160 acres of vacant property at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center to the city of Ogdensburg is growing, according to Sen. Patricia Ritchie.

The senator’s bill, S.6661, was formally introduced in the Legislature today, according a release from Ritchie’s office.

All three senators representing St. Lawrence County, including Ritchie, Sen. Joe Griffo and Sen. Betty Little have signed on as cosponsors, the release said.

On Monday night the plan, which was developed collaboratively with Ogdensburg Mayor Bill Nelson, as well as with Ogdensburg’s city manager and city planner, was officially endorsed unanimously by the city council

Members of the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators also unanimously voiced their support during a meeting of the board’s Finance Committee meeting Monday.

A resolution in support of the plan was introduced by legislature chairman Jonathan Putney, Waddington, and legislators Mark Akins, Lisbon, Sam Burns, Ogdensburg, and Joseph Lightfoot, Oswegatchie.

The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force endorsed the proposal last week.

“From developing recreational space to land for industry, the vacant property surrounding the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center truly has the potential to grow and transform our region by helping to create jobs and boost the economy,” Ritchie said in her release. “I am thrilled to have the support of the local community in pushing this plan forward.”

The plan proposes transferring control over 160 acres of unused psych center campus land to the local community to be used for economic development, including riverfront housing, commercial and industrial development.

For more information and a map of the proposal visit http://northcountrynow.com/business/ogdensburg-looks-acquire-develop-vacant-psychiatric-center-property-obpa-interested-small-p