STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNORPress Office
518-474-8418
212-681-4640http://www.state.ny.us
FOR RELEASE:
IMMEDIATE, Wednesday,
April 19, 2000GOVERNOR: STATE ANNOUNCES WINNING BIDS FOR FIVE STATE PROPERTIES
Developers Chosen for Former Department of Mental Health FacilitiesGovernor George E. Pataki today announced that Empire State Development has designated preferred bidders for surplus property at five mental health facilities consisting of close to 1,000 acres statewide. The sales drew $19,300,001 and were part of the Governor's continuing effort to privatize surplus State property to benefit taxpayers.
"New York is at the forefront of privatization," Governor Pataki said. "Rather than allow these properties to languish in the hands of state bureaucracies, we are putting them put back to work for the people of New York, helping to ease the burden on local property taxpayers and encourage economic development and job creation for the future.
"We successfully completed the nation's first commercial airport privatization, Stewart Airport, and we are privatizing the World Trade Center, the New York Coliseum, surplus state armories, and the Long Island Railroad's rail freight lines," the Governor said. "These property sales will not only increase local tax revenue, but the redevelopment will integrate these properties into the communities, stimulating vital private sector economic activity and creating new jobs."
The five properties were originally offered for sale along with eight other properties in November of 1999. Bids for a 660-acre property at the J.N. Adams Developmental Center in Cattaraugus County are still being evaluated, and Empire State Development will consider alternate marketing and redevelopment strategies for the remaining seven properties.
ESD Chairman Charles A. Gargano, said, "These sales are further proof of Governor Pataki's dedication to reducing the size of government and giving the private sector the opportunity to create sensible development and new jobs. These properties will go back to the private sector, return to local zoning control, and generate local real estate taxes."
The results are as follows:
West Seneca Developmental Center, Erie County, 175-acre property-Fischione Construction Company, Inc. made the top bid at $600,000.
Rockland Psychiatric Center, Orangeburg, Rockland County, 335-acre property-Heartland Acquision Corporation made the top bid at $7,250,000.
Wassaic Developmental Center, Dutchess County, 430-acre Property-Alan Shope and Julie Shope made the top bid at $800,000.(heirs of Walter Freeman?)
Bronx Developmental Center, Bronx County, 20-acre Property-Joseph Simone made the top bid at $3,650,000.
Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, Queens County, 8.5-acre Property-Beechwood Winchester Building Corporation made the top bid at $7,000,001.
###