It appears Onondaga County lawmakers are preparing once again to consider the controversial proposed aquarium for Syracuse’s Inner Harbor. For the first time in seven months, the item has appeared on Tuesday’s agenda for the Onondaga County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee agenda.
County Executive Ryan McMahon first proposed the $85 million project at his State of the County address last October, and has struggled to gain enough support from the lawmakers and the community. Some have questioned the projected number of annual visitors and if taxpayers will be on the hook for ongoing maintenance. Others want to see the county spend the money on more pressing human service needs.
The last time the aquarium was on the legislature’s agenda was in December, and it never made it to a vote. It’s unclear yet whether the item will advance out of committee to the full legislature’s session on Aug. 2.