By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – The city is one step closer to purchasing a 45-acre parcel at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center after receiving a $300,000 grant from the state government.

Following an executive session, the council unanimously agreed to accept a $300,000 grant from the Office of General Services to aid with the cost of purchasing the land from the state.

The city has been working closely with state representatives to aid in the acquisition.

Deputy Mayor Michael Morley says the city has been attempting to acquire the vacant property since roughly 2004. He said it’s huge for the city, because it’s prime real estate located along route 37.

Morley said the city has very little room for expansion due to its dense layout, but this location should be very attractive to developers.

Morley said the timing is also prime as the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority continues work to expand the airport.

“This could be a perfect spot for a hotel,” he said.

With only about one month on the job, City Manager Sarah Purdy says the development is huge for Ogdensburg. Purdy said the grant was applied for in January of 2015, with the intent of using the funding to clean up any problems associated with the buildings located on the property.

“It just so happens the property will cost $265,000,” she said.

Purdy said the remaining funds will be used to address issues such as asbestos removal if necessary.

Purdy said she doesn’t expect the city to take control of the property for at least a few months.

The land acquisition is the first step in what Sen. Patty Ritchie and the city have dubbed “The Point Airy Vision.”

The total plan includes four parcels on the sprawling Psychiatric Center campus that are prime for redevelopment.

A 2014 law, drafted and sponsored by Sen. Ritchie, authorized the transfer of the first block, “Parcel A,” including 45 acres of prime road front land along busy State Highway 37, just steps from the entrance to the Ogdensburg International Bridge, from the state to the city to smooth the way for commercial or retail development.

The three other blocks comprise 120 acres of land along the riverfront, adjacent to the existing commercial park, and including a fully functioning power plant. These parcels are envisioned for future housing, commercial and industrial use.

The mixed-use plan is seen as key to the success of the Point Airy Vision.