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Sources have confirmed to WXHC News that the Parker School Project at the former elementary school will not be moving forward.
The reason is due to rising costs related to inflation and material prices. Recently, costs have risen sharply from an estimated cost of $2 million back in 2020 to now $5.6 million, an increase of $3.6 million dollars.
Original plans were in place for the former school, which Cortland Enlarged Schools closed in June of 2019, then sold to the City of Cortland for $91 in October of 2021, to be turned into an early childhood education center for daycare, Headstart, and Early Head Start.
Calls were made to representatives from both CAPCO and the YWCA by WXHC with no answer.
Funding for the project was already granted to cover some of the costs including, $500K from the Empire State Development, a $600K pledge from former Assembly Member Barbra Lifton and $500K from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
There was also over $600K in state funds for YWCA and CAPCO to train their employees for programs. The City of Cortland also reportedly allocated $230K from American Rescue Plan funds for the project.
The property and fate of the former building now rests with the City of Cortland and looks like the building will remain abandoned until a new plan is put in place.
