Members of the Onondaga County Legislature's Facilities Committee voted Tuesday to authorize a $1.7 million purchase for property to build the $85 million Inner Harbor Aquarium at 439 and 451 Solar Street in the City of Syracuse.

In a major step toward breaking ground on the project, the committee also accepted the environmental review of the project, and determined it would not have a significant adverse effect on the environment.

The full Onondaga County Legislature is expected to vote on purchasing the 4.67 acres for $1,713,000 from COR Solar Street II Company, LLC and COR Solar Street IV Company, LLC, to construct and operate the public aquarium at its June 6 meeting, according to an agenda posted on its website. 

The project would be built on vacant land, which was once used by the state Canal Corporation and contained several buildings at the Syracuse Inner Harbor. The buildings were removed, leaving remnants of foundations, parking areas, shrubs and vegetation. The property has long been considered for redevelopment. 

Some legislators say they got a fair price for the land.

"I'd like at some point to get my committee out there at a time where it makes sense to see firsthand exactly where it is," Legislator Debra Cody said. "Sometimes, I drive thtough there and look, like, 'Is this where it's going to be?' So we're excited to get out there and really see where this is."

The Environmental Assessment Form for the project is on file with the clerk of the County Legislature.