Regional Telemedecine Network: The Development Authority is working with the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, and a consortium of six hospitals and Fort Drum, to create a telemedicine network throughout the region. The network will improve access to care, and create electronic linkages between the healthcare institutions. The network will be supported by the Authority's Open Access Telecom Network. The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization received funding from the Federal Communications Commission to create the telemedicine network. The network is expected to be operational by the end of 2008.

 

 

Landfill Gas Collection System Expansion: The Authority's Solid Waste Management Facility will complete a major expansion of the Gas Collection System this fall. 25 new landfill gas extraction wells have been drilled into the waste mass. A contractor is in the process connecting these new wells to the existing landfill gas piping system which will direct the gas to the LFGTE power.

Renewable Energy Update: The Authority's developer, Innovative Energy Systems, has nearly completed construction on a Landfill Gas to Energy (LFGTE) power plant. Construction activities included the 4.8MW power plant, a gas transmission pipeline, an electrical transmission line and an electrical substation. The project should be producing electricity in late fall of this year. A large (10 acre) greenhouse is one option under consideration for utilization of waste heat generated by the power plant.

Riverview Plaza LLC

The Development Authority in partnership with the Empire State Development Corporation, City of Watertown, Watertown Local Development Corporation, Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, Key Bank and the principals of Riverview Plaza LLC is funding a $2.5m downtown commercial revitalization effort.

This public and private sector project involves the adaptive reuse of a vacant former mill building (Bradley Hardware) located near the Black River in the City of Watertown's Riverwalk District to create 29 new apartments on the upper two floors and new commercial space on the ground floor.

Construction to begin in the spring of 2008, completed in early 2009.

 

Funds Available for Farmland Drainage

The Development Authority is accepting applications for the Farmland Drainage Loan Program. The program is available for farmland drainage in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. Funds may be used for the purchase, installation and associated soft costs to install drainage systems to lands presently producing crops. Maximum loans are $10,000 with minimum cash equity of 50% of the total loan amount. Loans are for 5 years with a fixed interest rate at the greater of ½ of the prime rate at closing, or a floor of 3%. Farming must be the applicant's primary business. For more information contact Michelle L. Capone, Sr. Project Development Specialist at (315) 785-2593.

Kirby Street Apartments: The Development Authority has approved a construction financing loan to Frontier Housing Corporation, Dexter. DANC is partnering with Key Bank to make available the construction financing in conjunction with the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal funding, which will provide the permanent financing.

Financing this effort will enable Frontier Housing to create six new affordable rental units in the Village. The project consists of three 2 bedroom townhouse style apartments on Kirby Street. Construction of the units is underway with completion in June 2008.

 

Wastewater Infrastructure Needs of New York State Report. The protection of our waterbodies, the health of our communities and the prospects for future economic growth are linked to modern, reliable and efficient wastewater treatment systems. However, systems are failing, and municipalities do not have the funds to adequately repair and replace necessary infrastructure. The conservative cost estimate of repairing, replacing, and updating New York's municipal wastewater infrastructure is $36.2 billion over the next 20 years. This is more than local governments and the state can address on their own.

This report, developed by the Department and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the state's wastewater infrastructure needs, identify the factors that have led to the current problem, and establish a context for assessing and determining the steps needed to address our wastewater infrastructure needs. This report should serve as a foundation for New York's efforts to attack the issue, and as a first step in the critical process of establishing a sustainable wastewater infrastructure funding program.

Download report here

 

The Authority recently completed a capital upgrade to a section of its Army Sewer line in Calcium, NY. Over the past year, a Cured In Place (CIP) liner system (shown below) was installed in approximately one mile of the DANC Army Sewer Line. The liner will ensure longevity of the precast concrete sewer pipeline and prevent surface deterioration from hydrogen sulfide gases that are commonly found in sanitary sewer lines.

 

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