ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Lawmakers are keeping an eye on the price tag of the Tompkins County Center of Government.

On November 4, various members of the COG design team presented an update on the project’s progress to the Downtown Special Facilities Committee.

The estimated cost of abatement and deconstruction of existing buildings on the Ithaca site is $2.5 million, with roughly half of that for abatement. The process will also take between 8 and 9 months.

Legislator Deborah Dawson says some of the costs are unavoidable.

With question marks surrounding general state and federal funding going forward, and despite environmental concerns associated with demolition, Dawson adds finding out if money could be saved is good government, particularly with some uncertainty about existing markets for salvageable materials.

Legislator Shawna Black echoed those sentiments, saying as the price tag for the project continues to go up, support among her colleagues could be waning.

Discussions will continue. Tompkins County estimates the project to be fully complete and have full building occupancy sometime in 2029.

You can watch the full Downtown Special Facilities Committee meeting here.