OGDENSBURG -- The vision city of Ogdensburg officials have for the riverfront property at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center was shown to Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, during a recent tour of the property.

The state legislature passed legislation and Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill earlier this year allowing for the transfer of approximately 56 acres of land on the grounds of the psychiatric center to the city of Ogdensburg for redevelopment. That sale would have to be for fair market value of the property.

It was the latest step in the city's effort to gain control over approximately 160 acres of property on the 400-acre psych center grounds.

The center has centralized its operation on the grounds over the past several years, leaving prime real estate bordering the St. Lawrence River and state Route 37 not utilized and off the tax rolls.

Russell, whose district includes all St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River plus the towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb, was joined on the tour by Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne Ashley, City Councilors Jennifer Stevenson and Tim Davis, and St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Executive Director Tim Farrell.

She said the tour left her excited about the property's future.

"I was thrilled we were finally able to pass the long-sought legislation to allow the city of Ogdensburg to negotiate with the state for the transfer of that property for redevelopment," Russell said.

"So many Ogdensburg residents have fond memories about being on that property when there weren't the restrictions on public access that there are today," she said.

"Right now that property has hardly any value. It's not being used by the psych center," she said, standing in the shadow of a long unused pavilion.

"This property is well situated for both private development and public use. I don't think it would take a lot to get some of this property back on the tax rolls an benefitting city residents," Russell said.

Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy said city officials are also eager to reach an agreement to transfer the parcel from the state to the city.

"There is so much potential for residential development and public trails,” Purdy said. “It’s an exciting follow-up to the work already underway to acquire and develop the first parcel legislated to be sold to the city along Route 37,” she said.

The latest legislation, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Russell in the state Assembly, calls for a 50-acre parcel, including nine of 14 buildings on the site, to be transferred to the city at fair market value.

The parcel stretches from the St. Lawrence River shoreline to River Drive between the Bridgeview and Trinity buildings.

That property is being eyed for residential development. The legislation requires 15 percent of proposed rental units be made available to Office of Mental Health recipients in need of supportive housing.

A separate 6.4 acre parcel, currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Community Services, is being targeted as a site for commercial development.

The city announced in January it had reached an agreement to purchase a separate 45-acre parcel on the psych center grounds for $265,000 from the state's Office of General Services. That property is zoned for light industry and institutional uses.