Broome Developmental Center Plans Get Mixed Reviews

Plans for starting a drug treatment facility at the site of the former Broome Developmental Center in the Town of Dickinson announced recently are not getting total support.

While several agencies say the services to be provided by Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare are much needed, some Broome County Legislators are objecting to county lawmakers not being included in the process for development of the facility.

County Executive Jason Garnar, New York State Senator Fred Akshar and Assemblymembers Donna Lupardo and Clifford Crouch announced Friday the state funding for a facility offer addiction rehabilitation and support services at Building One at the Developmental Center.

Legislative Chairman Daniel Reynolds issued a statement acknowledging that opioid abuse is a problem in the area but the Legislature has not received a formal request for the awarding of a contract to a provider for new substance abuse services.

In August, Reynolds wrote to the County Executive expressing concerns that there were no public hearings on the establishment of the center or submission of an outline of the financial or social impact on the community prior to releasing a Request for Proposal for the project.