PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – New York’s governor is looking for more housing opportunities, and one idea is repurposing old state buildings.
Governor Kathy Hochul says she wants lawmakers to approve a measure that would allocate $500 million to transform vacant state properties, including old correctional facilities. She says that alone would free up $15,000 in housing units.
State Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Essex/Warren Counties, says he would like to see one of his district’s old prisons, Moriah Shock, put to use. “That is, in my mind, a facility that is modern, does not have the attributes of an incarceration facility or correctional facility, and would be ideally poised to see redevelopment and reuse in a positive use that benefits not only Moriah and Essex County, but all New Yorkers,” he said.
Simpson also suggests that the building could be used as a mental health facility, which is another top priority in the governor’s proposed budget.
ASSEMBLYMAN JONES OPPOSED TO HOCHUL PRISON CLOSURE PROPOSAL
Meanwhile, more than one North Country prison could face big changes after a pitch to close facilities across New York.
Governor Hochul also included a proposal in her budget that would allow her to close up to five state prisons as part of a provision that was also made law under former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
If passed by lawmakers, Hochul would then have 90 days to announce which facilities would close.
Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, says he will be voting against Hochul’s pitch. “The governor said in her language, ‘right-sizing these facilities.’ We should be talking about doing the right thing and making sure these facilities are safer. The HALT Act that was put in a year and a half ago, two years ago, has done nothing but made our prison system even more dangerous,” Jones said.
Jones has six prisons in his district. There has been no indication which would be closed if lawmakers sign off on it.
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