McMahon discusses Micron, DeWitt film hub sale in State of the County address

DeWITT, N.Y. — Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon used his 2024 State of the County address to provide updates on the Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) project in Clay and to announce the sale of the film hub in DeWitt to Saab.

McMahon delivered the annual State of the County address on Thursday evening in the auditorium of East Syracuse Minoa Central High School, where he also discussed the ShoppingTown Mall redevelopment in DeWitt and the Inner Harbor Aquarium project.

Micron

The NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review Act) review process will help to spur the start of construction on the Micron project, McMahon said in providing his progress report.

“This environmental review is required prior to the start of all construction projects,”he noted.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting on the environmental review next Tuesday night from 7–9 p.m. at the Clay Town Hall.

“We expect both SEQR and NEPA to be complete early next year for the Micron project. Based on the current understanding of the schedule, the expectation is to commence fab construction in 2025 with fab 1 operational in 2027, and fab 2 operational by 2030,” the county executive said.

Film hub sale

McMahon also used his remarks to announce that Onondaga County is selling the film hub in DeWitt to Saab. The film hub is located at 24 Aspen Park Dr. in DeWitt.

“This multi-million investment from Saab further solidifies Onondaga County as the leader in high-tech manufacturing as Saab expands its footprint here,” McMahon said. “There will be more to come on this project at a later date.”

Saab acquired DeWitt–based Sensis Corp. in 2011 and split the corporation into two units — Saab Defense and Security on Enterprise Parkway and the Saab Sensis air-traffic management unit at 85 Collamer Crossing Pkwy.

Aquarium

Construction on the Inner Harbor Aquarium is underway and on schedule for a fall 2025 completion, McMahon told those gathered, who greeted his announcement with applause.

“Our team of local and national consultants have delivered a design that will provide an exciting and world-class facility,” he said. “We began initial construction in the fall of 2023 with site preparation and shoreline stabilization. Foundation work is scheduled to begin later this spring with full construction beginning shortly thereafter.”

ShoppingTown Mall

McMahon said Onondaga County has been involved for months on the project to redevelop the ShoppingTown Mall site in DeWitt.

“I’m very happy to report that recently Benderson Development and OHB Redev have come to an agreement where the parties will advance mixed-use development at the … site. This development would involve hundreds of new housing units, as well as office, retail, restaurant, medical, recreation, and other community amenities.”

McMahon described Benderson as “the premier retail developer in the United States,”and OHB Redev is made up of local developers who will advance the multi-family elements of the project.

“I’m very hopeful that activity on this site will begin this summer, including zoning change applications being submitted to the Town of DeWitt,” McMahon said. “The decision to take and purchase this property was bold, and I’m very happy to report that our county vision is now much closer to reality.”