NCCC to Stay in SL or Move to LP?

The Alton B. Jones Cell Science Center in Lake Placid, NY

You're going to hear and read alot today about the public meeting held at NCCC yesterday. Architects for the college presented the pros and cons concerning the refurbishment and expansion of NCCC. The two "options" presented in some detail were 1) stay at the present Saranac Lake site and more or less "rebuild" or 2) purchase the old "Cell Science Center" (now called the Upstate Biotech bldg.) and move the campus to Lake Placid. It is estimated that it would cost several million dollars more to stay in Saranac Lake. One surprise announcement is that NCCC has an "option" to purchase the Lake Placid site at an exceptional price. The option expires on April 18th. This announcement upset some of the county legislators that were present at the meeting. They felt they were "under the gun" to make a decision.

Now my two cents. NCCC leaving Saranac Lake could be devastating to the community. If not financially, certainly psychologically. However, the Cell Science Center property and building are spectacular (see above) and are available to the college at a cost that is probably below the assessed value of the property. Whether the college stays in SL or moves to LP, the costs are estimated to be in the $60 million range. What wasn't discussed in detail was staying at the current campus and purchasing the LP site as a "satellite" campus. This seems like a reasonable compromise and at least at first glance should significantly reduce the costs of expansion. How about moving the technical programs (X-ray technology, massage therapy, nursing, recreational leadership etc) to the LP site and keeping the humanities at the SL campus. Schedule the classes such that students can easily commute between the two sites. Run a no cost shuttle bus between the two sites.