BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — The state may shut off heat to the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, a move that councilors fear will cause the buildings to deteriorate more rapidly.

Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey M. SKelly and and City Councilor Dan Skamperle recently attended a walk-through of the facility with state officials.

The prison employed more than 250 people not long before it was closed in March.

Finding a reuse for the property located on State Highway 37 was a major concern for local officials who feared the building would be allowed to fall into disarray much like shuttered portions of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

In a recent interview Skelly said he offered ideas to state officials about how to cheaply heat the facility with a small investment.

Skelly said the building should have heat maintained at around 50 degrees to ensure it isn’t damaged from low temperatures.

On Monday Skamperle expressed similar concerns. He said the city must focus on stopping the state from letting the building fall into disrepair.

Skelly said that keeping the facility in good condition will make it easier to market the facility should the state give up ownership or reuse it should the state find an alternate purpose for it.

Governor Kathy Hochul did launch a Prison Redevelopment Commission focused on reimagin​ing closed prisons for innovative redevelopment opportunities across New York State.

The fifteen-member panel, first announced as part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 State of the State address, is comprised of leading experts across real estate, community and economic development, ​criminal justice reform, and government. ​The panel will be led by Hope Knight, Commissioner, President and CEO of Empire State Development and Darren Walker, President at the Ford Foundation.

However, little information has been provided by the commission.

Skamperle told council members that even if the city is successful in keeping the heat on at the prison it may not be available for transfer or reuse for years.

He said Sen. Patty Ritchie said various bonds and loans by the state for recent improvements to the facility, including a new heating system and roof, could tie things up for some time.

Council took no action on the matter, but the topic is likely to be revisited in coming weeks.