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Document 1 of 1County OKs deals for MCC dormsGoodman, James. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle [Rochester, N.Y] 12 Apr 2006: .1.

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Find a copy_______________________________________________________________AbstractDemocrats voted in opposition, after they unsuccessfully urged that the dorms be built as a public

works project, subject to competitive bidding and paying workers the prevailing wage.

_______________________________________________________________Full TextJames Goodman

Staff writer

Monroe County lawmakers Tuesday approved selling land for new dormitories on Monroe

Community College's Brighton campus and issuing low-interest bonds for the project.

By a 17-to-12 vote, the County Legislature authorized the sale of 6 acres and use of 1.6

other acres for the dorms. By the same party-line vote, lawmakers gave the County of

Monroe Industrial Development Agency approval to issue up to $19 million in tax-free bondsfor the project.

Democrats voted in opposition, after they unsuccessfully urged that the dorms be built as a

public works project, subject to competitive bidding and paying workers the prevailing wage.

The Republican majority, which supported the deal, noted other community colleges were

building dorms in a similar way.

Construction of the dorms, on the north end of the campus, could begin in June and be

completed by the fall of 2007.

At the public hearing prior to voting, MCC students stressed the need for the new dorms.

"A no vote would equate to the project's death," said student Adam Junod.

Labor leaders, like Democratic lawmakers, said that they wanted more dorms but objected to

how they were being built.

"How can you ensure you will get the best value without competitive bidding?" said Dan

Kuntz, business agent for Laborers' International Union of North America Local 435.

MCC officials have pointed to an opinion by the state Labor Department from August saying

that if the county sells the land for the dorms, rather than leasing it, the project would not fall

into the public works category. The sale is for about $260,400.

The new housing, estimated to cost $18.4 million, will be owned and operated by the Monroe

Community College Association, which provides support services for the school. The bonds

financing them will be paid for by student dorm fees.

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The local DiMarco Group, which built the first dorms, was selected by the College

Association to build the new dorms. Critics of the deal have noted that businesses and

officials affiliated with the DiMarco Group have given extensively to county Republican

committees.

Republicans rejected any suggestion that they were influenced by DiMarco.

"DiMarco never gave me anything," said Majority Leader Bill Smith, R-Pittsford, who

suggested that union contributions to Democrats were a factor in the legislators' opposition.

Legislator Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, responded that prevailing wage is provided for in the

state Constitution.

JGOODMAN@DemocratandChronicle.com

What's next

Brighton officials must give final approval, possibly in May. COMIDA wants to have the bonds

issued next month. Construction could begin in June.

_______________________________________________________________Indexing (details)Subjects Legislators, Community colleges, Colleges&universities, College

campuses, Policy making

Title County OKs deals for MCC dorms

Authors Goodman, James

Publication title Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Pages B.1

Publication year 2006

Publication Date Apr 12, 2006

Year 2006

Section Local&State

Publisher Gannett Co., Inc.

Place of Publication Rochester, N.Y.

Country of publication United States

Source type Newspapers

Language of Publication English

Document type News

Subfile Legislators, Community colleges, Colleges&universities, College

campuses, Policy making

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Last updated 2010-06-30

Database Rochester Democrat and Chronicle