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What to do with Carnegie Library?

Ellen Abbott
/
WRVO News

Onondaga County lawmakers are trying to figure out the future of the historic Carnegie Library building next to Columbus Circle in downtown Syracuse.In the past, there's been talk about moving some county offices there, but there’s been no movement on that issue recently.  

So Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon wants to find out what it’s worth on the open market. He’s asking the Onondaga County Legislature to approve a 90-day request for proposal to gauge private sector interest in the building.

 
“Ask people in the private sector what they’d pay for the property, in a sell position. Or if you are not in a position to buy the property, but you’d like to  lease the property, what are you willing to do there. And I think once we’d have that information then we’d know what the private sector demand is.”
 
And from there, lawmakers could compare that to any proposals to move government offices there, and move forward.
 
The building was constructed in 1905, and was most recently leased to the Syracuse City School District.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.