Legislature approves consultants to study county buildings, with some lawmakers dissenting

The St. Lawrence County Legislature voted to hire consultants to develop plans for a comprehensive buildings-and-grounds facilities project, a move supporters said is needed to improve safety, storage and truck access while opponents warned it could lead to expensive demolition work.

County staff described a cluster of aging structures behind the courthouse — including an annex/’80s dorm, a carriage house, an old Sears building, a warehouse and a supply shed — and said removal of some structures would open space for safer truck access, loading-dock apron spacing and storage for grounds equipment. “We put $1,000,000 into the H.B. Smith Building for social services… we’re building a $19,000,000 highway administration maintenance shop that’s going to be maintained by the staff who works out of buildings and grounds,” a county official said when outlining why the facilities serving that staff need a long-term plan.

Legislators questioned whether all of the identified buildings must be demolished and whether the county should try to salvage specific structures. Legislator Burke argued for salvaging the warehouse, saying it “was a pretty nice, pretty nice old building” and suggested repurposing rather than demolition. An amendment offered by Legislator Curran — to narrow and phase the demolition/engineering scope and require the consultants to evaluate feasibility and preservation options — received a second and passed. After the amendment, the full motion to proceed with professional engineering services carried; several legislators voted no on the final authorization.

The board did not commit to construction or demolition at this meeting; the consultants’ report and specific project recommendations will return to the Legislature for separate approval. The motion approved consultant engagement and directed that bid‑phase language and demolition options be presented as potential, not automatic, actions. Supporters said the study is intended to produce plans showing what should be demolished, how demolition should occur and what new facilities would best serve operations, while opponents asked that the county consider phasing and examine lower‑cost fixes such as improved drainage around the warehouse.

Next steps: staff will work with the selected engineering firm to finalize scope and cost and will present the consultants’ findings and any specific demolition or construction proposals to the board for future votes.