May 2003

Cortland County IDA Releases Request for Proposals for Build Now-NY 260 Acre Business and Technology Park

The Cortland County Industrial Development Agency has issued a Request for Proposals for a 260 Acre Build Now-NY Business and Technology Park project in the Town of Cortlandville.

The Cortland County IDA has also retained the Central New Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB) to work in a lead management capacity for the project, which is adjacent to The New Monarch Machine Tool Company on Route 13. A Request for Proposals, developed by CNYRPDB, was recently released to a list of regional engineering firms who have either expressed an interest in the project, or have worked on other Build Now-NY sites across Upstate. Other interested groups may also submit proposals.

The Town of Cortlandville site was one of 26 across New York State to be recently selected for participation in the innovative Build Now-NY program, a partnership between the Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR) and Empire State Development (ESD), to identify the best sites in New York State for development. GORR and ESD will work with local communities to develop site plans and pre-permit them as "Shovel Ready" for major projects. The Cortland County IDA submitted the Town of Cortlandville site under the category of business and technology parks, which includes a variety of uses ranging from professional offices to light industrial, research and development, small scale warehouse/distribution, commercial offices, data and call centers, and back office operations. In its RFP, the Cortland County IDA is seeking the development of an innovative and flexible site plan that will create an upscale campus-like environment. The project will also include infrastructure investments estimated to cost more than $2 million.

The consultant selection process for the Town of Cortlandville's Build Now-NY site will be managed by CNYRPDB in conjunction with the Cortland County IDA Board of Directors and the Cortland County Planning Department. A community-based advisory committee has also been established which will:

• Help work with the consultant on alternative development profiles for the site
• Help provide input into the site plan for the business park, with special consideration given to the nature of desired businesses, size and scale of development parcels, and architectural, landscape, signage and other design elements
• Help oversee rezoning, and assist in securing regulatory permits and special approvals (i.e., aquifer protection permits, stormwater management, etc.) as well as other planning and zoning matters
• Help provide input into the development of the Generic Environmental Impact Statement
• Help provide input into infrastructure planning, particularly in regard to the extent and placement of utilities, roads, water and sewer
• Help work with the consultant on the creation of a "development handbook"

A project information meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 16 at the New Monarch Machine Tool Company. Firms interested in bidding on the project are required to attend this session. Pre-registration is also required.

Final proposals are due by June 13, with the Cortland County IDA Board of Directors expected to select a firm by July 14. The contact person for more information on the RFP is David Bottar, Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, 315-422-8276, dbottar@cnyrpdb.org

Additional information on the project is also available from the Cortland County Industrial Development Agency, 607-756-5005, grow@cortlandbusiness.com