Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks Announces Partnership

Tuesday, 10/21/2014 

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County to lease office space from County Parks Department in Seneca Park; County to acquire, demolish & return outdated CCE-MC office property to Highland Park

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks was today joined by Susan Maney, Executive Director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County (CCE-MC) and Larry Staub, Director of Monroe County Parks Department, to announce an expanded partnership between the County and the Extension Association. Under the new agreement, CCE-MC will lease office space in a County facility in Seneca Park, while the County will acquire CCE-MC’s old office property and return it to park space in Highland Park South.

“Monroe County has been a primary financial supporter of the Cornell Cooperative Extension since its inception here, because we recognize the vital role it plays in enhancing quality of life,” said Brooks. “I am proud that our latest partnership will help the Extension find a new home in this fitting new space and also return land to one of our most beloved parks, which is a true win-win for our entire community.”

The expanded partnership will also allow CCE-MC to enact organization-wide changes to focus on dynamic program delivery, reduce administrative expenses, and better partner with the Monroe County Parks Department.

“This historic collaboration benefits all County residents with exciting programming opportunities throughout the park system,” said Maney. “Since 1913, the citizens of Monroe County have turned to the experts at CCE-MC as the conduit from Cornell University’s vast resources to answer their questions, connect them to other community resources and enrich their lives. We look forward to continuing that service for another century.”

CCE-MC currently owns and occupies a building at 249 Highland Avenue, adjacent to Highland Park South. The facility is in need of extensive repairs and improvements, which CCE-MC has determined are not cost-effective. Working in collaboration with the County, CCE-MC has decided to relocate its offices to a County facility at 2449 St. Paul Boulevard, within Seneca Park.

The “Farmhouse” at 2449 St. Paul Boulevard dates back to the early 1900s and was once part of the Krautwurst family farm. CCE-MC will return to its agricultural roots in occupying this large, well-maintained Farmhouse, which has been updated with handicapped accessible features, in addition to utility and technology improvements.

The property at 249 Highland Avenue, currently owned and operated by CCE-MC, consists of 2.79 acres. The terms of the deed conveying the property to CCE-MC in the 1950’s contained a reversion provision, which requires the property to be returned to the County if the property is no longer used for the benefit of the Cooperative Extension. Since CCE-MC is relocating, the Property will be returned to the County and fully incorporated into adjacent Highland Park South.

“Demolition of the existing building and restoration of the site for Parks purposes is a priority,” said Larry Staub, Director of Monroe County Parks. “The County will fund a Master Plan for Highland Park South to ensure that the additional 2.79 acres of property becomes compatible with the existing Parkland, is sensitive to the area’s historic Olmsted-designed Park features and respects the neighboring residential community.”

Execution of CCE-MC’s lease of 2449 St. Paul Boulevard and the County’s acquisition of 249 Highland Avenue will become effective January 1, 2015, pending County Legislature approval.

Click here to download the press release.

Last updated December 4, 2014