Legislators postpone $110,000 jail study

CANTON — St. Lawrence County lawmakers have put on hold a decision to proceed with a $110,000 study of office space needs and possible uses for the former Judson Street jail.

"After we heard the gloom and doom news about the financial shape we're in, we thought we needed to do something different," said Legislator Frederick S. Morrill, D-DeKalb Junction, a Legislature space issues subcommittee member. "I'm afraid, though, that if we just neglect the jail, it could end up like the J&L site. We don't want it to sit there 30 years and end up with a real mess on our hands."

Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. near Star Lake ceased operations in 1977. Widespread environmental contamination has hampered efforts to redevelop the 54-acre site.

Mr. Morrill said the oldest parts of the former jail, which date back to the 1880s, likely contain asbestos and other hazardous materials such as lead paint.

"We need to know the total cost of removing that stuff so it doesn't just sit there," he said.

Legislator J. Patrick Turbett, D-Potsdam, disagrees that there is any urgent need to find new uses for the old jail, despite any environmental hazards present.

"The jail was occupied by human beings until we moved to the new jail in May, so I don't think there is a significant environmental problem that exists today," Mr. Turbett said. "If they're saying we had people living in conditions like that, they should be prepared for a whole slate of lawsuits."

Mr. Turbett also noted that asbestos abatement is expensive.

"A lot of asbestos issues exist only after you disturb it," he said. "If we're not going to touch anything, we're not going to disturb anything. We're talking about hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars to move ahead. I think it could be put off indefinitely until our financial conditions improve."

Legislators voted Feb. 1 to table the study until June. Michael J. Cunningham, Governmental Services director, in the meantime will work with the Malone firm chosen to do the study, Beardsley Design Associates, to find cheaper options. Mr. Morrill said he thinks the study should cover only the former jail.

Mr. Turbett said although he does not think a jail study is needed right now, he agrees that office space issues should be left out if the Legislature decides to move ahead.

"Since I've been on the Legislature we've had space issues," he said. "Frankly, one sure way to fix space problems is to shrink and have less people. I think that's the way some people are starting to look at it."