After years of discussion, pleas, and appeals, FEMA has agreed to pay for a new Schoharie County jail in a safe location.
A new $37 million public safety facility is slated to be built on a 28-acre parcel just north of the Village of Schoharie on Route 30.
The project should be completed within two and a half to three years.
After the devastating flood of August 28, 2011 heavily damaged the first floor of the facility off of Depot Lane, county officials asked FEMA for funds to build a new jail out of the flood plain. That initial request was denied and county officials appealed the decision.
With the help of federal, state and local officials, FEMA agreed to fund 75 percent of the estimated cost of the new facility. The remainder will be paid for by New York State.
The help from Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Chris Gibson, Assemblyman Pete Lopez and State Senator James Seward was invaluable, county officials said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in front of the flood-damaged jail.
"Our representatives were into FEMA pretty good," Sheriff Tony Desmond said.
FEMA officials must have figured, "We might as well do what they want because they're not going away," he continued.
Bill Cherry, the county's flood recovery coordinator, agreed that "rock solid" support from state and federal officials was essential.
"There were times when it seemed like a tug-of-war, but those days are past," Mr. Cherry said.
"It's not the last step, but a big step in making Schoharie County whole."
Sheriff Desmond added, "We can finally say we can take care of our own inmates...It's been tough."
Since the flood, county inmates have been boarded at the Albany County jail.
FEMA has paid 70 percent of the $80 daily boarding fee for prisoners but the loss of the jail has cost the county revenue, according to Sheriff Desmond. The county had enough space in the old jail to board prisoners from other counties.
"The day before the flood, we were on track to make a million dollars. The day after, we were on track to lose a million," Sheriff Desmond said.
Federal and state officials also lauded the decision by FEMA.
"After four years of bureaucratic hurdles that were put up by FEMA, we were finally able to break through the red tape," Senator Schumer announced.
On Tuesday, the Senator made a personal call to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and urged him to give final approval to the project.
Congressman Gibson acknowledged the work of many people.
"For over three years now, my staff and I have been honored to work with representatives at every level of government to see that federal authorities provide Schoharie County with the support and assistance it deserves. Those efforts have paid off here."
FEMA made the right decision, added Assemblyman Lopez and Senator Seward.
"I am greatly relieved that after such a long struggle, our coalition of federal, state and local leaders and community members have pushed FEMA to do the right thing and allow the county to build a new Schoharie County Jail facility outside of the flood plain," Assembly Lopez said.
Senator Seward added, "The best news for local taxpayers is that this new state of the art building will be built in a safe location outside of the flood plain and at no local costs..."
The county is still waiting for approval in replacing the Blenheim Covered Bridge and for full funding of the floodgate project for the county office building, Mr. Cherry noted.