OGDENSBURG -- A strong turnout is expected at Ogdensburg City Hall tomorrow as state officials offer the public a chance to comment on the future of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

New York's Office of Mental Health plans to end adult and child inpatient care St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg by 2017, under its new strategic plan.

The state plan involves establishing "Strategic Centers of Excellence," and will drastically reduce the number of state mental hospitals, as it moves toward outpatient and community care.

The meeting is set for 10 a.m. and is open to the public.

Sen. Patricia Ritchie and Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, who represent Ogdensburg and surrounding communities, will attend the meeting along with other state representatives and officials who will eventually determine the fate of the psychiatric center.

A task force was established to lobby for the continuation of services at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, lead by former St. Lawrence County Newspapers Publisher Chuck Kelly.

The group has led an awareness campaign selling T-shirts, and writing letters to state officials. Kelly said the group is also working out details for a meeting with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Kelly said the Tuesday meeting is a chance for those with a connection to the psychiatric center to make their case. He is also asking for more letters to forward on to state officials.