Cayuga County now gets to see how much interest there is in having a hotel-conference center at Emerson Park.
The Cayuga County Legislature approved a document outlining what the county would like to see in a hotel. But it is ultimately up to the designer and the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to work out the details.
"This is the first step in a long process," said Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn, who served on the committee that drafted the request for proposals document.
Now with the Legislature's approval, the document can be circulated to potential developers. Requests will be due back to the county within a few months.
An eight-acre parcel on the western end of Emerson Park, located in the town of Fleming, would be the preferred location for a hotel, but others would be considered.
But a major hurdle for any proposal to clear would be approval from the state.
Developing the hotel would put the park land to private use, which constitutes alienation of the land. Representatives from the state were an integral part of the planning process, serving on the committee to draft the document.
"We'll have to see what kind of response we get and work with (the state)," Tortorici said. "Whatever we can do to bring the park back for the people."
Public Works Committee Chairman Richard Harrison, R-Genoa, was impressed by how quickly the committee drafted a document.
"I did not think we would actually get it done," he said.
The county is optimistic about the benefits a hotel would have on the park.
"The county recognizes that a first class, full-service hotel-conference center within Emerson Park would enhance the community's ability to attract conferences to the community and events to Emerson Park," according to the document.
From the 1890s to the 1960s, a hotel was a "prominent feature" of the park, the document states.
"There is a history of having a hotel at the park," said Parks and Trails Director Gary Duckett. "It's a first step to finding out if there is any interest."
Staff writer Liz Hacken can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267
or elizabeth.hacken@lee.net
"This is the first step in a long process," said Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn, who served on the committee that drafted the request for proposals document.
Now with the Legislature's approval, the document can be circulated to potential developers. Requests will be due back to the county within a few months.
An eight-acre parcel on the western end of Emerson Park, located in the town of Fleming, would be the preferred location for a hotel, but others would be considered.
But a major hurdle for any proposal to clear would be approval from the state.
Developing the hotel would put the park land to private use, which constitutes alienation of the land. Representatives from the state were an integral part of the planning process, serving on the committee to draft the document.
"We'll have to see what kind of response we get and work with (the state)," Tortorici said. "Whatever we can do to bring the park back for the people."
Public Works Committee Chairman Richard Harrison, R-Genoa, was impressed by how quickly the committee drafted a document.
"I did not think we would actually get it done," he said.
The county is optimistic about the benefits a hotel would have on the park.
"The county recognizes that a first class, full-service hotel-conference center within Emerson Park would enhance the community's ability to attract conferences to the community and events to Emerson Park," according to the document.
From the 1890s to the 1960s, a hotel was a "prominent feature" of the park, the document states.
"There is a history of having a hotel at the park," said Parks and Trails Director Gary Duckett. "It's a first step to finding out if there is any interest."
Staff writer Liz Hacken can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267
or elizabeth.hacken@lee.net
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