PLATTSBURGH (Tribune News Service) — The deteriorating infrastructure at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base now has the attention of the federal government.

After Supervisor Michael Cashman called on the federal government in June to help with the base’s worsening infrastructure, much of which is Cold-War era, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, was able to secure a meeting between Plattsburgh officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers next month.

“I’m grateful that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to come to the Town of Plattsburgh to assist local leaders in assessing the condition of the infrastructure on the footprint of the former Air Force Base,” Schumer said in a statement Thursday. “Having this discussion and getting technical and funding expertise is an important step for the Town of Plattsburgh in evaluating next steps for any eligible funding opportunities. I’ve been proud to deliver millions of federal dollars to support Plattsburgh International Airport and Clinton County and stand ready to help the town as it tackles these challenges with its inherited infrastructure through any available and eligible programs.”

The town took over the base property after it closed in 1995. Much of the infrastructure on the base was installed in the mid-1950s and state and local regulations and requirements were waived to make way for the military.

That has created an added difficulty for the town as infrastructure issues arose in recent years.

Cashman said during a news conference to bring attention to the base’s deterioration in June that just last year the town fixed several sinkholes that threatened utilities and disrupted activity at a costly price.

He said then that the town initially estimated the cost to repair the infrastructure damage at around $12 million but with new cracks and sinkholes continuing to appear, “the price tag is climbing every day.”

Idaho Avenue, especially, is in danger. A new sinkhole opened up there a couple months ago and Cashman said by next year that section of the road may need to be torn up.

“And it’s going to be another $500,000, if not more,” he said in June.

Cashman had asked Schumer for assistance in assessing the condition and scope of the Cold War-era infrastructure, and the senator said he worked for weeks to help get the USACE to agree to send out a team of engineers to see the site firsthand and provide technical expertise as the town evaluates next steps.

“I am very appreciative that Senator Schumer has facilitated an on-the-ground meeting for the Town of Plattsburgh with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Former Plattsburgh Air Force Base infrastructure,” Cashman said. “Having our federal partners here to see firsthand the decaying infrastructure is a meaningful step forward. The complexities are significant, but by building confidence and working steadily with our federal partners, we can continue moving this conversation in the right direction for our community.”

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