The fate of Mount McGregor Correctional Facility hangs in balance as Governor Kathy Hochul’s constitutional amendment proposal aims to unlock redevelopment potential for abandoned state prisons near the Adirondack Park. While neighboring counties celebrate this initiative, some localities find themselves unexpectedly excluded from this transformative opportunity, raising questions about equitable regional development.
The abandoned correctional facility sits strategically at the intersection of Moreau, Wilton, and Cor
The abandoned correctional facility sits strategically at the intersection of Moreau, Wilton, and Corinth, sharing its mountaintop location with the historic Grant Cottage National Historic Landmark. Though geographically outside the Adirondack Park boundaries, the property requires constitutional authorization for redevelopment due to its proximity to the protected area. This constitutional hurdle has prevented numerous development proposals from moving forward since the facility shuttered its doors in 2014.
Historic significance complicates redevelopment efforts
The mountaintop location carries profound historical weight. President Ulysses S. Grant spent his final days at the neighboring cottage in 1885, penning his personal memoirs before succumbing to illness. The cottage opened to public visitation in 1890 and survived a devastating fire that consumed the nearby Hotel Balmoral in 1897. Throughout its existence, the site has witnessed dramatic transformations, serving as a tuberculosis sanitarium, a World War II veterans’ rehabilitation camp, a training center for developmentally disabled individuals, and most recently, a minimum-security prison.
“We had great security when there was a prison there,” quipped Tim Welch, president of the Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage Board of Trustees, during the organization’s monthly meeting. “Nobody would steal anything out of there.” The volunteer board has overseen the cottage’s administration since the mid-1980s, when state funding for operations evaporated. Having weathered previous redevelopment storms, trustees approach Hochul’s proposal with cautious skepticism, concerned about how new developments might impact the historic landmark’s security and integrity.
Mount McGregor Road presents another critical challenge. The access route has deteriorated to such extent that board members question whether encouraging visitor traffic remains responsible. Years of disputes among state, county, and municipal officials regarding maintenance responsibilities have left the roadway in dangerous disrepair, forcing the board to reconsider promotion of public visitation altogether.
Economic impact versus environmental preservation
Saratoga County Administrator Steve Bulger expressed unequivocal support for the governor’s initiative, noting that developers have approached the county repeatedly since closure. Past proposals have included diverse visions for the property :
- A mixed-use residential, retail, and service business complex
- Law enforcement training facilities
- Conference and meeting centers
- A paranormal education center and museum
- Film production facilities requiring authentic prison settings
“But none of them could ever move forward because of the restrictions on the property,” Bulger explained. The constitutional constraints have effectively frozen any economic revitalization despite significant local interest in transformation opportunities. County officials plan aggressive lobbying efforts to educate the wider public about what the amendment actually proposes, anticipating opposition from environmental groups unfamiliar with current site conditions.
The amendment addresses only land already developed within or adjacent to the park, with Hochul planning to incorporate additional undeveloped acreage to compensate for removed acreage. Claudia Braymer, executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, signaled organizational support : “We support a constitutional amendment for these facilities because it will help Adirondack communities revitalize these sites for public benefit and improve management of the state-owned forest preserve.”
| Facility Name | County Location | Status in Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Mount McGregor | Saratoga | Included |
| Camp Gabriels | Brighton | Included |
| Moriah Shock | Moriah | Included |
| Great Meadow | Washington | Not included |
| Bare Hill | Franklin | Not included |
Washington County’s exclusion raises concerns
Notably absent from Hochul’s proposal is Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann, whose closure was announced alongside Sullivan Correctional in July 2023. Neither facility appears in the 2025 plan, nor does Bare Hill facility in Franklin County, scheduled for March closure. All three would require constitutional amendments for sale and redevelopment.
Bob Henke, chair of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, expressed frustration with the omission : “She didn’t have Great Meadow on there at all.” Despite extensive grassroots lobbying by Washington County community leaders imploring reconsideration, the Great Meadow facility permanently closed in November 2024. Like Mount McGregor, Great Meadow sits outside Adirondack Park boundaries but close enough to the Blue Line to be considered “forest preserve, de facto.”
Henke dispatched correspondence to the governor on January 20, hoping to secure the facility’s addition to the amendment. His letter emphasized economic devastation : “Washington County’s economic impact analysis makes clear that Great Meadow was a cornerstone of the local economy and community stability. The report notes Great Meadow has historically been the single largest public or private sector employer in Washington County, and that closure eliminates 645 direct jobs—more than 4½ percent of the County’s total employment base.”
The economic modeling estimates total impacts of 2,319 jobs lost, approximately $267.3 million in lost earnings, and roughly $186.1 million in lost sales activity. Copies were distributed to state senators, assembly members, and federal representatives, arguing that inclusion represents “our best window in a generation” for reclaiming the facility’s loss.
The path forward remains challenging
The proposed constitutional amendment faces a demanding approval process. It must pass both the state Assembly and Senate in two consecutive legislative sessions before reaching the ballot for public vote, leaving New York residents to ultimately decide the amendment’s fate. “It’s actually a good process,” Bulger acknowledged. “Amending the constitution should be difficult, right ? It should be a challenging prospect.”
Board Treasurer Michael Lessor emphasized security priorities : “We just want to make sure that whatever they do with the property takes into account the security of the cottage.” Board Vice President Patrick Greene questioned how the organization could responsibly encourage visitation given current road conditions : “How can we possibly tell people to come up and visit ? How can we do that in good conscience ?”
The board hopes renewed development interest might catalyze movement on improving Mount McGregor Road access. “The governor is aware of our circumstance, and hopefully this will reveal to everyone a clear and present danger that exists today,” Welch stated. Previous amendments have been proposed without meaningful progress, but Hochul’s endorsement marks the strongest political momentum the process has witnessed.
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