LANSING, NY (607NewsNow) – Tompkins County is acquiring property in Lansing.
On August 5, lawmakers voted 9-5 to purchase a vacant space at 31 Dutchmill Road for $1.2 million. It will temporarily house some county departments during the construction of the Center of Government (COG) building in Ithaca.
Proponents argued the county needs the swing space to avoid delays on the COG project and that purchasing rather than leasing space will provide an opportunity to recoup money in the future. Legislators in opposition expressed a desire to define which departments would ultimately move before voting yes, for the sake of public transparency.
Two departments originally floated for relocation were the Department of Assessment and the Board of Elections (BOE), but the BOE will remain in Ithaca after robust public opposition.
The resolution passed without any defined department relocations. Legislator Greg Mezey says choosing which departments ultimately move will be a transparent process that requires approval by the Legislature.
Talks will continue at the next meeting of the Legislature.
