NYS looking for redevelopment proposals for former Watertown prison site

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – New York State is looking for proposals to help redevelop the site of the former Watertown Correctional Facility.

Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement Friday morning. The state is looking for proposals to help create housing for all income levels at the former site. The main objective is trying to create housing units of all sizes and affordability levels.

The request for proposal is for the 108-acre site. In a release from the state, “this will not only increase housing options, but also grow the community and place a vacant state-owned property back into productive use.”

The RFP prioritizes proposals that create more affordable housing and financial support may be available to the designated developer for eligible costs.

The stewardship of state-owned properties has been a top issue for my office during my time in the Assembly, whether it’s the decommissioned prisons, the psych center or SUNY campuses, we need to be good stewards of state-owned properties, and we need to make sure they’re repurposed at their highest use. Hearing the news of an RFP for the Watertown Correctional Facility is a major step toward repurposing it. I will continue to work diligently to make sure the plan is completed and the facility becomes completely repurposed. Thank you to Governor Hochul for moving this initiative forward.

State assemblyman Scott Gray

Additionally, designated developers may be eligible to apply for up to $8 million in Empire State Development grant funds for eligible capital costs related to site redevelopment. The RFP is available on the Empire State Development website . A site visit will be held on July 25 and proposals must be received by August 30.

The prison was closed down in 2021. Information on the RFP is available on the Empire State Development website .

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