September 7, 2004

BOL Approves Measure to Save County Taxpayers $30 Million In Courthouse Renovation Costs

The Westchester County Board of Legislators, at a special meeting on Tuesday, passed legislation that will save County taxpayers some $30 million in the reconstruction of the County Courthouse.

“We dug in our heels and said we would not allow $51 million in cost overruns to be passed on to County taxpayers," said Board Chairman Bill Ryan (D-White Plains).

The lease arrangement approved by the Board stipulates that the county will pay $21 million of the originally estimated $51 million in overruns. In accordance with the new agreement, the County was given the authority to reduce the interior renovations of the Courthouse by $17 million. The State Office of Court Administration and the Dormitory Authority will pay the remaining $13 million in cost overruns.

The Dormitory Authority, which managed the two earlier phases of the project, will also relinquish control of the final phase to the County. Chairman Ryan said, “The County has demonstrated that it can handle major construction projects in a highly cost-effective way. Having it take charge of the internal rehabilitation of the tower building, which is the third and final phase to be completed, will be of tremendous benefit to our taxpayers.”