UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - City leaders say the empty buildings on the property at the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center could be put to good use. Some common councilors and other local lawmakers gathered in front of the Brigham Building Wednesday afternoon (it's been closed for years) to talk about how economic development money could boost the local economy.

"All we keep hearing about are facilities closing around here. We have the opportunity to get some economic development money and we really need to get on the ball. We all have to join together ask for some of this money we can't continue to let these buildings just deteriorate and this campus deteriorate. It's affecting the neighborhoods in a negative way," says Councilor-at-Large James Zecca.

Zecca wants Mayor Robert Palmieri's office to apply for some economic development money- money the governor set aside to help the communities after closing some prisons last year.

"We passed a resolution in May asking the Mayor to apply for economic development funds for communities that were negatively impacted by the closure of the prison systems..and this area right here is in the 15 mile radius from the facilities that were closed in Oneida County and we're eligible for that funding."

Because it's a state owned building- the city isn't collecting taxes on the property. "It's a huge piece of land in the center of our city and we're missing it. We're missing out on it. It's the states responsibility now. If they are going to close these buildings, lose the jobs- then darn it. If that money is available they should be putting some of the money back here in the City of Utica.

Zecca says of the $50 million in funding Governor Cuomo made available-- only about $20 million is left for grabs.