Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon says he’s more than happy to raise the remaining funds needed to build the aquarium. Work is underway in the Inner Harbor on the $100 million project. But there are still questions about transparency.
McMahon says he’s always been clear that the project would cost more than the $85 million narrowly approved by lawmakers in 2022. But after Tuesday’s vote, the legislature removed itself from appropriating additional funds.
“We understood there was going to be construction increases, but what we said is that we will look for alternative sources than new local dollars," McMahon said. "Meaning we would look for state resources, federal resources, private sector resources, naming rights and or old grants that have been sitting around on the books for years that could be repurposed.”
McMahon says he doesn’t know how much old grant money might be available. His office has been quiet about specific contracts, the amounts, and where the project stands. McMahon acknowledges his administration could be more transparent. For example, he said his office “dropped the ball” when they didn’t announce they secured an operator.
“We have a private operator, operates the St. Louis Aquarium, and was involved with our teams on design," McMahon said. "The design team was an international firm. We're going to work to try to get some more of what the designs look like for the public to see as we're closer to the project.”
The county selected ZoOcenarium in 2023 to run the aquarium when it opens. Legislator Maurice Brown, who’s African American and supports diversity in hiring, has questions about the operator.
“Do they hire people that look like me? What is their track record? [Are they] working with municipalities of our size?" Brown asked. "Are they used to cold weather? St. Louis is not Syracuse, so like things like that. We never got a chance to ask, let alone get answered.”
Brown opposed the measure passed 13-4 earlier this week that gives McMahon and the Friends of the Onondaga County Aquarium board sole responsibility for accepting donations. Brown says the legislature is failing in its duty to provide oversight of the project.
