By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – A controversial plan to begin expanding Erie Community College downtown was given the go ahead by county lawmakers Thursday. The bond approval was praised by the architect of the proposal, the Erie County Executive. But as WBFO's Joyce Kryszak reports, not everyone is sold.
After more than an hour of grand-standing and debate, the county legislature approved the nearly $23 million bond. The vote was eleven to four.
The bond includes some funds for renovations to the north and south campuses. But the bulk of the money, once borrowed, would construct a new building near the downtown campus on Oak Street to grow programs there.
Republican lawmaker Barry Weinstein, who voted against the measure, said the pricetag likely would also grow.
But legislature chairwoman Lynn Marinelli defended thecapital project. She called it a good compromise from the Giambra Administration's previous proposal to close suburban campuses and move all programs downtown. She said the new plan preserves the suburban campuses and economic development.
Expanded current facilities and the new building would house some of ECC's existing programs. William Rueter is interim president for ECC. Rueter said the expansion could double the number of people trained for high demand jobs, such as nursing, policing and hospitality.
But the approval came amid doubts about future plans and accusations of political arm twisting.
The Erie County comptroller also cautioned lawmakers against the borrowing that he said would bring the total in 2007 to more than $44 million.
And there is still one more major hurdle before the money can be borrowed.
The Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority must give its blessing. The control board has said it would cap borrowing at $30 million a year.
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