OGDENSBURG -- Vacant land at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center would be transferred to the City of Ogdensburg if legislation state Sen. Patty Ritchie plans to introduce is approved.

A press release from Ritchie’s office says that 160 surplus acres would be part of a long-term program to redevelop the campus.

Ritchie’s office says the Heuvelton Republican has been working with Ogdensburg Mayor William Nelson and City Manager John Pinkerton over the past two months to develop a plan to transform blighted properties at the 125-year-old psychiatric center into economic development assets that could lead to new jobs and growth.

The proposal was endorsed by the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force on Thursday. The Ogdensburg City Council will consider a proposal to endorse the plan Monday.

Ritchie’s release said she would present the legislation to members of St. Lawrence County’s Assembly and Senate delegations to seek their support. Assemblywoman Addie Russell has announced her support for the plan, Ritchie’s office said.

Members of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force who endorsed the plan Monday included Chair Charles W. Kelly, Public Employee Federation President Virginia Davey, St. Lawrence County Legislator Joseph Lightfoot, Mayor Nelson, St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells, NYSCOPBA representative Greg Tarbox, former Binghamton Psychiatric Center Deputy Director John Burke, City Manager John Pinkerton, St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency Director Patrick Kelly, Laura Ashley, Jaime Weber, Rena Mee and Greg Sharland.

“Two months ago, Gov. Cuomo promised to preserve vital jobs and mental health services at the campus. Now we have an opportunity to work with the governor again to take the blighted properties and empty buildings at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center and transform them into an asset to help create new jobs and opportunities for the people of the North Country,” said Ritchie.

“It won’t happen overnight,” she said, but with a transfer approved, “we can begin a pilot program to show the entire state how a community can transform underutilized assets into a transformational opportunity for the region.”

Ogdensburg has agreed to use the proceeds from the sale of the parcels to develop a revolving fund that would allow the community to redevelop other properties and buildings, she said.

The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center campus covers more than 400 acres. Ritchie is proposing to take four parcels, comprising 160 acres that the Office of Mental Health has already declared surplus properties, and transfer them to local control.

The four parcels provide opportunities for redevelopment, such as waterfront housing, public access to the river, and land for industry, retail and recreation.

The plan excludes most of the abandoned buildings on the property, but focuses on largely vacant parcels.

Ritchie’s press release says that the condition of the aging buildings may have scared off potential developers before now.