Tompkins County Legislature approves funding commitment for downtown Center of Government amid debate over cost and timing

The Tompkins County Legislature voted on June 3 to approve a funding commitment for the county’s proposed downtown Center of Government project after more than an hour of debate over cost, timing and process.

Legislator Randy Brown moved the member-filed resolution to “approve funding for the center of government project” and Deborah Dawson seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote (9 yes, 4 no). Supporters said the action reconfirmed a decision the legislature has discussed for years and enabled immediate relocation and deconstruction work the county says must begin this fall. Opponents said the estimate is still uncertain and argued for additional committee review.

Key points from debate and staff presentations

- Estimated cost: Administration and the project architect presented a working estimate of $50,000,000 for the full scope (design, construction, deconstruction of existing buildings, renovations including work to the old jail and related IT/furnishings). Holt Architects is on contract and schematic design was under way at the time of the meeting.

- Prior capital set-aside: County staff said the county previously reserved roughly $9,000,000 toward the project in capital planning; the $50 million figure is an updated, high-level construction estimate and not a final contract amount.

- Scope and design status: The project team said schematic design is underway and that gross square footage estimates currently approximate 48,000 square feet; staff emphasized the estimate will be refined as schematic design proceeds and that the resolution was intended to keep the project on schedule, not to commit to a final construction contract.

- Deconstruction and SHPO: County staff reported they have received approval from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to proceed with deconstructing three small buildings on the corner of Tioga and Buffalo, subject to completion of required contract and mitigation steps. Deconstruction work was described as likely to begin in fall 2025 so materials can be reclaimed for reuse.

- Relocation steps: The administration outlined interim moves already being planned: county administration and human resources are to relocate to the fifth floor of the Mental Health building; IT would move to the third floor of the old jail with planned fiber/cable work; the board of elections would need short-term leased space during construction.

- Bonding and schedule: Staff said borrowing for construction is not expected in 2026; a likely bond issuance for construction was projected in the 2027–2029 window depending on design, grants and use of reserves. Staff warned that the project would affect future debt service schedules and should be considered alongside other capital priorities.

Why it matters: The project consolidates county services into a downtown campus, aims to improve public access and accessibility for residents and to replace aging, inefficient office arrangements. Supporters argued the county has studied the need for years and that delaying would increase cost and logistical complexity; critics said the project’s price tag is large and urged more committee-level vetting and publicly available worst-case fiscal scenarios.

Vote and next steps: The motion passed (9–4). Holt Architects will continue schematic design and staff said they will return to the Facilities & Infrastructure committee and the legislature with refined cost estimates and construction documents before any construction contract or bond issuance is approved.

Ending: Legislators who opposed the measure said they would continue to follow the project closely; proponents said the vote restored momentum and will allow interim moves and deconstruction planning to proceed on the timeline presented by the architect.