What to Do, What to Do?

An article in today's Register-Star reminds us that, while the county Board of Supervisors is waiting for the results of the Phase II environmental study on 25 Railroad Avenue, they still have an option to buy the old Walmart building in Greenport to house the Department of Social Services and other county offices: "Deadline nears for Walmart decision."

Let's see. How long has the Board of Supervisors been contemplating relocating DSS? Seems that it was back in 2007 when the BOS Capital Building Search Committee began its investigations, which resulted in the acquisition of the old Ockawamick School in Claverack for $1.5 million. The county, it seems, has still not found any use for the building that would justify the purchase price. Then, in November 2010, the Columbia County Capital Resource Corporation came up with the idea of purchasing the abandoned Walmart building and relocating there not only DSS but all county offices not required by law to be situated in the county seat. In August 2011, the Board of Supervisors decided to hold off on the Walmart acquisition, but apparently they still have an option to buy the building, which will expire on February 5--before the Phase II environment study is expected to be complete. 

Meanwhile, if our information is still valid, the county has been paying $30,000 a month, since June 2011 when the original twenty-year lease on the building expired, to rent 25 Railroad Avenue.