Submitted by Catholic Charities of Oswego County
FULTON – Michael J. Falcone, chairman emeritus and founder of The Pioneer Companies, has donated the former Cayuga Community College and Center for Instruction Technology and Innovation (CiTi) site on West Broadway to Catholic Charities of Oswego County, (CCOC) it was announced by Steve Frawley, CCOC board president.
“We cannot begin to express the depth of our gratitude to Mr. Falcone for his generosity,” Frawley said. “This space and new facility couldn’t have come at a better time to keep pace with how much we’ve grown in the past year, and how desperately we need this space. It will help ensure that Catholic Charities can better serve the many clients it has in Oswego County for many years to come.”
In addition to donating the 80,000 square-foot building, Pioneer also donated the cost of asbestos removal, which totaled approximately $70,000, said Mary-Margaret Pezella-Pekow, CCOC executive director. The building is assessed at $3.3 million.
“The building is owned by the Diocese of Syracuse, but we will have full use,” Pezzela-Pekow said. “We have begun renovations, and we will eventually be relocating about 80 employees who are extremely crowded in the 32,000 square feet at our current 365 West First St. location. We’ll have more than double the space we have now.
“All of the services we have now will be kept and continue at our new location, which will also include a multi-use community room that is under construction. We expect to move into the new location in Spring 2017. In the meantime, all services and activities will continue at our present location.
“It’s also important to note that Pioneer is also working with us to find a developer or buyer for the West First St. building that was once part of the American Woolen Mill,” Frawley said. “We will work diligently with them to find a new owner and purpose for the building.”
“Catholic Charities was founded in 1930 and has expanded its agency with many programs and services that have touched thousands of children, families and individuals throughout Oswego County,” Pezella-Pekow said. “Generous gifts and donations to Catholic Charities have supported more than 160,000 children, woman and men in need.”
For information, contact Mary-Margaret Pezella-Pekow at mmpekow@ccoswego.com or (315) 598-3980.
