Rochester, N.Y. – WinnCompanies, owner of the Sibley Building, held an open house Thursday to promote its latest proposal to keep MCC’s downtown campus at Sibley.
The developer wants to forestall a Tuesday vote in the Monroe County legislature that could finalize MCC’s plan to move to the Kodak site on State St.
Winn executive Gilbert Winn laid out his company’s plan calling it better for the taxpayer than the Kodak proposal.
The presentation provided an opportunity for side-by-side comparison of the two proposals:
- The Kodak plan is priced at $72 million, while Winn says it can sell and renovate space at Sibley for $57 million. Monroe County and the state will split the bill evenly.
- MCC says it gets more bang for the buck with Kodak. There, it gets 561,000 sq.ft., while Winn would provide 257,000 sq. ft. MCC sees that extra space as room to grow. Winn calls it a waste of taxpayer money in maintenance costs. Winn adds it can provide additional space down the line.
- Winn says its proposal comes in cheaper because it will renovate the current space rather than tear it out and build anew. MCC says, at that price, the company cannot build the 21st century learning environment it needs.
- MCC also doubts whether Winn is planning to pay prevailing wages, a requirement for public projects.
- Buying the Kodak space will cost $2.99 million dollars, while the Sibley space will cost $7.6 million. The purchase price is factored into the overall price of the project.
- MCC says it needs more green space for students. Winn says it will provide rooftop green space.
- MCC says enough time as been spent debating the move and Winn’s latest proposal came in just minutes before the legislature’s Ways and Means committee was scheduled to vote on Kodak site last week. Winn says its first proposal in 2011 was based off of specifications similar to those at the Kodak site. The company says it and Mayor Tom Richards encouraged the legislature to approve bonding for the project in December assuming the vote would buy Winn more time to unveil a less expensive proposal.
- Safety has been a concern for MCC at Sibley’s Damon City Campus. Winn says it has already enhanced security and a new police substation in the building will further protect students and promote a safe environment.
- Sibley will soon sit directly across the street from a new bus terminal. MCC says it will provide a shuttle for students to get to State St.
