‘A MAJOR STEP’
Ryan authorizes transfer of former IBM parcels and building to Economic Development Alliance
TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. » Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan on Wednesday signed legislation authorizing the transfer of a portion of the former IBMKingston complex to a local development corporation, a move he said will allow for economic activity at the site and the eventual return of the property to the tax rolls.
“Today we finally took a major step in converting a building that has long represented the shell of past economic success into the centerpiece of our future people-centered economy of tomorrow,” Ryan said in a prepared statement after signing the measure.
“As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, Ulster County will rebuild better and stronger,” the executive said. “The interest that we have already seen in this location are just the first signs that through leveraging our resilience, and leaning into the energy and creativity of our community, we can once again rely on this location to provide jobs and opportunity for our community.”
The resolution signed by Ryan authorizes the transfer of two parcels of land comprising more than 82 acres of land and a 400,000-square-foot office building to the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance. The alliance’s board of directors is expected to vote to accept the property, known as Enterprise West, at its April 6 meeting.
Ulster County took ownership of the two parcels, on the west side of Enterprise Drive in the town of Ulster, in November 2019 due to nonpayment of property taxes by the owners of TechCity, which bought the former IBM property from the computer giant in 1998.
The property transfer, proposed Ryan and approved unanimously by the county Legislature, will allow the property to be marketed.
Earlier this month, Ryan announced the county had received more than 20 proposals for the potential redevelopment of all or part of property, including five to purchase some or all of the site, 11 to rent or lease some or all of the site, and 12 to provide services to assist the county in redeveloping the site.
Proposals from such entities as small businesses, existing businesses, academic institutions and local governments included an indoor tennis facility, an SPCA animal shelter, foodproduction operations, vertical gardens, solar energy farms, soccer fields and college classrooms.
Last week, the town of Ulster Planning Board approved a site plan submitted by The Farm Bridge to renovate a two-story section at the south end of the building and create a 9,300-square-foot storage and shipping area.
Tim Weidemann, director of the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance, said The Farm Bridge sought the site plan approval understanding that there was no commitment on the part of the county to offer the company a lease for the site.
While park of TechCity, the office building on the site was used for a time by Fleet Bank, and later Bank of America, to process New York state income tax returns.