SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Vapors have not stopped the Onondaga County Legislature from approving the sale of contaminated land in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor for the $85 million aquarium project.
Those in favor of the project believe it will attract tourists to the area regardless, according to Onondaga County Communications Director, Justin Sayles.
“It is an important driver for helping our hospitality and tourism economy recover,” he said. “It’s an important amenity for our citizens here, because we are a growing community and we are committed that it will grow even more.”
Other attractions around Onondaga Lake were found to have similar toxic vapors in the land before being built, according to Sayles.
Sayles said Lakeview Amphitheatre, Loop the Lake trail and NBT Bank Stadium all found toxic soils in the land prior to being built. He said in order to make it safe, strategies are implemented and that’s what the county is committed to doing.
Sayles says he is confident the $85 million price tag will be enough to complete the aquarium, which is expected to be 80,000 square feet and include 600,000 gallons of water.
Construction is expected to begin this fall.
