Plans for border facility rankle some

ALEXANDRIA BAY — Designs for the proposed expansion of the U.S. Port of Entry on Wellesley Island have been finalized, but not everybody is happy with the looks of the new customs facility.

“When I saw the picture, I just couldn’t believe it,” said Russell I. Wilcox, Theresa. “It doesn’t seem to fit.”

Mr. Wilcox, former executive director of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, said the shape of the new Customs and Immigration building does not match the landscape character of its immediate surroundings and reminds him of a fortress.

“Personally, I believe it should serve as a welcome sign to our nation rather than a fortress,” he said.

The U.S. General Services Administration plans to construct 119,500 square feet of new buildings and facilities to provide more room for agencies that are stationed at the Thousand Islands crossing. The proposed project also includes building additional inspection lanes and secondary commercial dock bays to reduce border delays.

Artist Michael C. Ringer, Alexandria Bay, said that the sharp corners and angles of the building make it look hostile, and that it sends the wrong message to those visiting the United States.

“That’s going to be the first thing you’re going to see. And it’s going to be there for a long time, at least another 50 years,” he said. “Maybe in the time of terrorism, it was necessary to design it that way. But it’s not all that difficult to design a building that’s more pleasing to the eye.”

Gary S. DeYoung, director of tourism for the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council, said architects who designed the facility probably were trying to maximize the facility’s interior space while minimizing its overall footprint by cutting the edges.

“But I have to admit, it looks a little harsh,” Mr. DeYoung said.

Thomas H. Engle, who crosses the U.S.-Canadian border about 20 times a year, said he does not care how the building looks as long as there are fewer traffic delays at the border.

“I usually experience delays coming into the U.S.,” he said.

Mr. Engle said he was more concerned about the cost of the construction project. The entire project is estimated to cost $130 million to $150 million.

The GSA aims to break ground on the project in 2012 and complete it in 2015, if funding is included in the 2012 federal budget.

“It’s going to cost millions and millions of dollars,” Mr. Engle said. “Fifty years ago, all we had was a white shack up there and it worked just fine.”