Lack of sewer capacity stymies development on city's west side

Freeing sewage capacity along Arsenal Street likely will cut costs for developers who want to build along the city's western border.

Alexandria Bay developer Patrick M. Donegan has said the land he owns along Interstate 81 cannot be developed until either the city helps secure an easement with the owners of Stateway Plaza or he is allowed to direct sewage from his land to a main that runs beneath Arsenal Street.

That main is believed to be at capacity and cannot handle additional development, City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk has said.

A Connecticut firm also is eying land between Commerce Park and Gaffney drives to construct two Marriott brand hotels.

Both developers will have to purchase costly infrastructure to pump sewage to Coffeen Street if capacity along Arsenal Street isn't made available.

"They could pump up to an existing pump on Gaffney, or if we could get the town to shift a lot of their flows from District 2 to Coffeen, where we know we have capacity, it solves their problem and ours," Mr. Hauk told the City Council on Monday.

The city has told the town of Watertown it no longer will allow additional flows in the Coffeen Street main unless space is freed up along Arsenal Street.

"In terms of development within the city, that includes Gaffney Drive and Mr. Donegan's property, I would hope that we wouldn't make it too complicated, and we should do everything we can to not stymie development within the city," Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith said.

Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns suggested that the Development Authority of the North Country be called upon to help solve the city's sewage issues.

"I think that it all comes down to dollars and sense and this would be a perfect project to partner with DANC," she said.

Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said the city should stick to improving its own infrastructure without involving the Development Authority.

"The only thing is that we operate water and sewer system within the limits of the city and have customers just outside there," he said. "If changes need to be made to the internal system, then it should be the city's job as operator of the system. If someone comes in, then it could be a prelude to regional control of a municipal system."

Mr. Hauk is expected to give a PowerPoint presentation and report to the City Council at its July 6 meeting concerning sewage flows along Arsenal Street.

The city and town also are in the midst of negotiations for sewage allotments within the Arsenal and Coffeen street mains.